New Delhi: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the only solution to the ongoing deadlock over agrarian reform laws is ‘discussion’ and the Government is ready to consult with the farmers on each of the provisions of the three farm laws.
Addressing the post-budget press conference here, she said, ‘On Farm laws, Government is and has always been open to dialogue with farmers; Agriculture Minister has been ready to have clause-by-clause discussion with farmers on the farm laws. Hence, we believe that dialogue is the way forward.’
Sitharaman said the Union Budget 2021-22 comes at a time, when ‘all of us desire to give greater impetus to the economy, we thought this impetus would be qualitatively spent well and give the needed demand push if we spend big on infrastructure’.
Outlining two key features of the Budget, she said, ‘We chose to spend big on infra across a wide variety of sectors. We have attended to the needs of the health sector, capacity building in health given a big place.’
She said infrastructure spending on health has been given a big push in the Budget, with focus down to planning of block level requirements.
Making a reference to Agriculture, she said, ‘Agriculture has received emphasis in the Budget’.
The Minister further said that allocation for credit flow through NABARD has increased.
‘We are bringing in Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess through restructuring, without consumers having to pay more,’ she said.
The Budget introduces various reforms in financial sectors, Ms Sitharaman noted.
She said progressive steps such as IPO of LIC and disinvestment will continue, so will the opening up of insurance sector to FDI.