Shimla:(IANS) The 2016-17 union budget has disappointed government employees as a rebate in income tax limit remained a distant dream for them, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said on Monday.

He said the fresh taxes of Rs.20,000 crore will burden the common man and lead to inflation and price rise.

He said union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented a “piece of rhetoric” which would contribute to rise in prices of essential commodities.

The chief minister said the budget had painted a grim picture which would be economically detrimental.

Virbhadra Singh said the incremental increase in certain spheres and schemes was not enough but a photocopy of the existing policies pursued by the previous United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre.

The budget announcement to give a gas connection to each family living below the poverty line was already in vogue in Himachal Pradesh, he said.

Hailing the provision of funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme for rural jobs, he said the measures proposed to be taken under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) would help in connecting rural habitations with roads.

He said the initiative towards the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was also a welcome step.