Cong betraying nation by opposing farmer-friendly policies:

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday accused the Congress of betraying the nation by opposing the policies of the government that favour the poor and farmers and warned that people will not forgive it. In his reply to the discussion on 2019-20 Interim Budget in Lok Sabha, Goyal hit out at the opposition for trying to "belittle" PM Kisan Samman Nidhi which assures Rs 6,000 yearly assistance to small farmers saying those who live in palaces will not understand the importance of Rs 2,000 every four months.

The Minister also rejected the opposition charge that he presented a full Budget saying he had had not proposed any new tax proposals, concessions or scheme in the Interim Budget which was tabled in Parliament on February 1. In contrast, the Congress had in 2014 interim budget reduced taxes on SUVs which are used by rich people. The Lok Sabha later passed the Interim Budget and Appropriation Bills by voice vote amid walk-out by the Congress, NCP and CPI(M) and slogan shouting by TDP members.

Goyal said that the NDA government has in the last four- and-a-half years followed a policy of honesty, presented prudent fiscal deficit numbers and unlike the Congress did not indulge in window-dressing of accounts. "The Congress rule by one single family has kept the country poor and indulged in loot. As a result of which we have to still continue with MNREGA scheme.

"The Congress gave the slogan of 'garibi hatao'.... But now its aptly clear that these parties have betrayed the nation and for which the people will not forgive them," Goyal said. The Modi government, he said, has changed the working style followed by the Congress. "We are moving towards an honest system," he said.

Referring to angel tax, he said during the Congress regime, shell companies were being promoted and this government has stopped that system. "They are hurt because of this... The government is taking harsh steps against those who are dishonest, while the honest investors who bring genuine money at a premium, will not be penalised.

"This I want to assure the entire country and this house that we will protect the honest and punish the dishonest," Goyal said. The NDA government, he said, is committed to the welfare of farmers, poor and middle class. The middle class, he added, will not have to pay any tax for income up to Rs 8-9 lakh provided they invest in tax saving instruments.

On pension for the unorganised sector announced in the interim Budget, the Minister said LIC is preparing it and the scheme would be launched on February 15. He said the Congress, which is "worried" about the fast pace of growth achieved under the NDA rule, has failed to raise any real issue during the discussion on Budget.

"They were far from the real issues and in a way they insulted the poor and farmers. They have cheated the country for 10 years, they wanted that poor people continue to remain poor; women shouldn't get dignity; no access to electricity; no healthcare. But the Modi Government has promoted inclusive growth and development," Goyal said. Referring to fiscal deficit breaching the budgeted estimate of 3.3 per cent in current fiscal, Goyal said he could have maintained it by reducing expenditure by Rs 5,000 crore but did not do so as Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised him to present an honest Budget.

Similarly for next fiscal, Goyal said he could have maintained the target of 3.3 per cent by adjusting Rs 1,500 crore but refrained from doing so. As per the Budget document, fiscal deficit would be 3.4 per cent in current fiscal as well as next year.

Goyal said that it has been the endeavour of the Modi Government to empower the states by allocating Rs 28.46 lakh crore in the last four-and-a-half years, which is 2.5 times more than what was given to them during 2009-14..