New Delhi: Hailing the the Union Budget as a document for building a ‘New India,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the it is aimed at strengthening and empowering the poor and will provide the youth with a better future. Terming the document as citizen friendly, development friendly and future oriented, the Prime Minister said the budget extends “hope” and boosts “self confidence” and NDA government policies will empower the downtrodden and turn them into a “power house” for the development of the country.

BJP president and Union home minister Amit Shah termed the document as a “futuristic one,” which provides a “coherent roadmap” for sectors that will drive growth and innovation among citizens. Senior BJP leader and former finance minister Arun Jaitley said besides being a policy document for boosting growth, the Union budget serves the larger interest of all sectors of the economy.

In a televised address after the Union Budget was tabled in Parliament, the prime minister said it is a “green budget” which focuses on the environment and pitches for green and clean energy and transportation needs.

He said the document underlines structural reforms in the agricultural sector and has a roadmap to transform the farm sector and doubling farmers’ income.

Highlighting the potential benefits of the Budget, the PM said it will accelerate the pace of development in the country and will greatly benefit the middle class.

 “The budget will simplify the tax process and help in modernising infrastructure in the country,” said the PM. He was of the view that the Budget will strengthen the enterprises as well as the entrepreneurs.

He said the Budget will further increase the participation of women in the development of the country. Noting that the Budget is “full of hope”, he said it will boost India’s development in the 21st century.

In his reaction on the budget, BJP president and Union home minister Amit Shah tweeted: “The budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a futuristic one. It provides a coherent roadmap for sectors that will drive growth and innovation among our citizens. The emphasis on clean energy and cashless transactions are also steps in the right direction.”

He further wrote that the budget for ‘New India’ clearly reflects Mr Modi’s “vision for India’s development, where farmers can prosper and the poor lead a life of dignity.