New Delhi, Mar 15: Brushing aside criticism that the budget was not growth-oriented, finance minister Jaswant Singh said today that the focus on infrastructure and certain other sectors will provide "quick returns" for higher GDP growth and employment. "We discussed the economy and the budget. The (growth) figures will come by and by as the year progresses," Singh told reporters after his customary post-budget meeting with the Reserve Bank board here.


"The Budget focussed on the sectors like infrastructure, textiles, tourism, pharma and other knowledge-based sectors as it would provide quick returns for growth of the economy and employment," he said addressing the RBI board.

Elaborating on Singh's observation on growth, RBI Governor Bimal Jalan said the budget provided the necessary impetus to growth backed by strong fundamentals.
Bureau Report