Jamshedpur, Feb 01: Commenting on Union Budget 2018-19, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said the key highlight of this budget is that it reflects a timely and appropriate focus on rural India. �While overall economic growth is recovering and running at a 7% pace, on the ground we see that the most rapidly growing data is related to urban activity. As we enter a stage in the cycle where rural demand is slowing, the focus on rural support – Rs 14.3 lakh crore earmarked for rural infrastructure, and targets to double farmers� incomes, generate non-farm rural jobs, and improve rural sanitation�will help sustain India�s long-term growth trajectory,� he said.
Chandrasekaran further added, �Similarly, the provisions to enhance farm price support, expand food processing, and liberalise agricultural exports are encouraging; the next leg of reforms in agriculture will have to focus on reducing production risk and addressing yield and storage deficiencies to raise competitiveness.�
Chandrasekaran expressed his delight on the increasing share of the Budget toward healthcare initiatives with the introduction of the National Health Protection Scheme, which will be the world�s largest public health insurance initiative, and the allocation of Rs. 1200 crore to the Ayushmaan Bharat programme.
