New Delhi, Feb 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh congratulated Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for presenting an 'exceedingly good budget', which sought to pick up the pace and return to a growth rate of nine percent.

In an exclusive interview to Doordarshan, Dr Singh said, "The budget seek to accelerate the tempo and return to a growth rate of 9 percent."

Praising Mukherjee, Dr Singh said he has done the right mix of moderation on the price front.Nothing is lost in postponing the Direct Tax Code to 2011," he added.

Dr Singh appeared confident that the economy would grow at a growth rate of 7.2 percent.

"The economy will grow at 7.2 per cent despite negative agricultural growth. It might even grow up to 7.5 per cent," said Dr Singh.

Mukherjee said he was certain of introducing major reforms on direct and indirect taxes front in the form of Goods and Services Tax (GST) along with Direct Taxes Code (DTC) that would come into effect from April 1, 2011.

Mukherjee said the Indian economy had weathered the economic crisis well, but the foremost challenge was to make inclusive growth. (ANI)