Not in favour of doling out cash: FM Jaitley tells Times Now

New Delhi, July 10: Union Finance Minister

spoke to Times Now Editor-in-Chief

and Political Editor Navika Kumar hours after presenting his first

on Thursday.

TN: On Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the budget as a 100 crore budget.

AJ: People who have little understanding of issues raise these issues .

TN: Did you feel the pressure on bringing back Indian economy back on track?

AJ: Yes there was pressure.

TN: On tax relief

AJ: Small-time tax payers can save Rs 5,000-7,000 as a result of my tax relief plan. I regret that i did not have money for higher tax exemption. I am not in favour of retrospective taxes as a whole.

TN: On issues of subsidy economy

AJ: Forty-five days time is not enough to understand the subsidy pattern.

TN: You have stuck to Sonia gandhi's MGNREGA scheme

AJ: We are not in support of doling out cash and putting pressure on the exchequer.

Times Now (TN): Have you been a little cautious while presenting the budget?

Arun Jaitley (AJ): I have tried to address each of the issues and the bigger ones with immediate concern.

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