DW BUREAU / chandigarh Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said the Union Budget for 2021-22 will lay the foundation for a self-reliant India, a claim junked by the Opposition Congress who dubbed it as disappointing. Haryana Congress president Kumari Selja said the Union Budget completely ignored the state. Reacting to the Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Monday, Khattar said it will lay the foundation for a self-reliant India, create infrastructure and generate jobs. Despite challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the finance minister presented a "very balanced Budget", he said, adding that it took care of all sections of society with a focus on infrastructure development, health, agriculture and education sectors. Recounting its key points, Khattar said over 15,000 schools will be strengthened as per reforms proposed in the new National Education Policy (NEP). This Budget talks of all-round development of all parts of the country, he claimed, adding that it provided for a record increase in allocation for infrastructure building. While replying to a question on a cess of Rs 2.5 per litre on petrol and Rs 4 per litre on diesel, Khattar said there will be no impact of this on the common man as this has been offset by a reduction of an equivalent amount in the excise duty, making it price neutral for consumers. He also hailed the income tax relief for those aged 75 or above. The BJP's coalition partner JJP too hailed the Budget with Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala saying it will create new employment opportunities, uplift education, improve health services, bring more improvement in agriculture and strengthen the country's infrastructure. In a statement here, Dushyant Chautala said a framework has been laid out in a planned way to bring the economy back on the track after it faced challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, reacting to the Budget, state Congress chief Kumari Selja said, "It is extremely disappointing that the Budget does not offer any solution towards increasing growth and consumer demand, and tackling unemployment and farmers' problems." She claimed that there is nothing for the poor class, Scheduled Castes and women in it. "This Budget is fully dedicated to the capitalists. There is nothing in this for the common people," Selja said dubbing the budget as "disappointing." Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the provisions in the Budget will increase privatisation and inflation. (editor@dailyworld.in)