All city based chambers of commerce have welcomed the Union Budget proposals. Ambarish Dasgupta , President-elect for Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the proposed “special assistance” to West Bengal and Bihar by the Finance Minister was additional benefit.
“Both Bihar and West Bengal are going to be amongst the biggest beneficiaries of the recommendations of the Finance Commission. Yet, the Eastern States have to be given an opportunity to grow even faster,” the Union Finance Minister said in his Budget speech.
“I, therefore, propose to give similar special assistance to Bihar and West Bengal as has been provided by the Government of India in the case of Government of Andhra Pradesh”, the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley added without giving details.
“The Union Minister’s proposal that special financial assistance be given to West Bengal and Bihar raises expectations among the people in the East,” said
“This goes to show that the Central Government is sincere in its efforts to boost the economies of the Eastern States. CII is confident that the promised assistance will be substantial and significant. We are particularly happy that the development of Eastern and Northeastern States received special mention in the Union Finance Minister's Budget Speech”, Chowdhary added.
Bengal Chamber in a statement said that the business community was disappointed for absence of relief on MAT, DDT and securities transaction.
Indian Chamber of Commerce said the proposals such as the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, five ultra mega power projects and Unified National Agriculture Market were positives for the economy.