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Tuesday, Jul 07, 2009
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Jubilation over package for ex-Servicemen

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot welcomed the Union Budget for 2009-10 on Monday, hailing it as “growth and employment-oriented”, while trade and industry here also found it realistic and in keeping with their aspirations.

In the Shekhawati area, where the concentration of ex-Servicemen is among the highest in the country, there was jubilation over the new package for retired defence personnel.

“The budget aims at providing employment to the jobless, concessions to farmers, uplift of the Dalits, weaker sections and minorities and relief to the employees and the salaried class,” said Mr. Gehlot.

“It will strengthen social as well as basic infrastructure and will help to improve the conditions of women,” he said.

“The budget has taken care of rural programmes such as National Employment Guarantee Scheme and Bharat Nirman as well as urban schemes like JNNURM. Rajasthan will benefit immensely from liberal allocations made to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, NREGA, National Agriculture Development Project, Prime Minister’s Gramin Sadak Yogna and Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Programme,” Mr. Gehlot added.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Rajasthan, welcomed the budget. “Many of our recommendations have been incorporated into it. Positive indications for the long term have been announced on a number of important issues such as subsidies, infrastructure and FRBM. The budget’s spending package for inclusive growth and large outlays on infrastructure and NREGS will help revive the economy by stimulating investment and consumption,” said Rohit Saboo, vice-chairman of CII, Rajasthan.

Though the Shekhawati districts were agog with excitement over the parity in pension for ex-soldiers, the bodies representing ex-Servicemen were cautious in their reaction. “We demand a one-rank-one-pension policy and anything short of it is not acceptable,” said Abhimanyu Singh, president of the All-India Ex-Servicemen’s Association.

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