Modi govt's 'second surgical strike'

Bhubaneswar: Post Interim Budget, Sensex ended 212.74 points higher at 36,469.43 while Nifty rose 62.70 points to 10,893.65... And Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan somehow seemed right in calling the Interim Budget 2019-20 the 'second surgical strike' by the Narendra Modi government.

Paswan said, "The first surgical strike was on the border. Soldiers fought it with bullets. Here, we will fight with ballots. People will now decide that the NDA wins 400 seats and Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister again."

No doubt PM Modi clarified that the Interim Budget is just a trailer and the onus is now on the next government to pass it, the budget has brought cheers especially for the middle class who had become used to disappointments.

Meanwhile, opposition parties lashed out at the Modi government for placing the budget with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that the NDA had no moral authority or responsibility to place the budget for 5 years when they would not be in power.

However, it is believed that the interim budget will empower women, help the poor section of the society, strengthen farmers and immensely help the middle class to live their dreams. Besides, it is believe that the Interim Budget has put the opposition in a despondent situation and it would be tough for any party to oppose it.

Here's the Top 10 Announcements in the Interim Budget for 2019-20:

1. Full rebate up to Rs 5 lakh annual income after all deductions
2. Standard deduction increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000
3. Exemption on tax on second self-occupied house
4. 2 lakh seats will increase for the reservation of 10%
5. Rs 60,000 crore for MGNREGA
6. Approval has to be given to PM Kisan Yojana. Rs 6,000 per annum to be given to every farmer having up to 2 hectare land. Applicable from September 2018. Amount will be transferred in 3 installments
7. Free gratuity limit increased to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh
8. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan will provide assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 with contribution of Rs 100 per month for workers in unorganized sector after 60 years of age
9. More than Rs 3 lakh crore for defence
10. 26 weeks of Maternity Leave to empower the women