Modi hints at special provisions for poor, middle classes in Budget

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hinted at the possibility of a generous Budget for the poor and middle classes. The Prime Minister’s remarks a day before the third Modi government will present its second full Budget hinted towards the Budget with something out of the ordinary for the poor and the middle classes. It remains to be seen whether Modi’s remarks lead to some big-bang announcement for the poor such as the restoration of LPG subsidies — the Bharatiya Janata Party and many opposition parties have been making this promise in almost all state elections — or an increase in government’s existing welfare programmes which are support income or asset generating. The Budget is expected to focus on measures that will help the economy regain growth momentum to become the world’s third largest during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term.