FACE OF THE BUDGET

The Union budget has been a bag of mixed fortunes and disappointments. There are neither big ticket reforms nor populist adventurism. It could be called as a lacklustre exercise in futility. The aam aadmi has been given a raw deal except some lollipops here and there. It could be a budget of hope for India Inc. while the budget is anti-aam aadmi. Some would hail it as growth oriented; land mark piece would – be- legislation augurs well for high growth etc. but devoid of reforms.

The Finance Minister vehemently claims that the Fiscal Deficit has been brought to 4.6% of the GDP. He is excessively optimistic about the inflation being brought to 5% which is really unrealistic. The long way to conquer inflation is to shore up agricultural productivity. The FM seems to subsidize the farmers to produce more and subsidize the consumers to consume more which is totally paradoxical. Pranabda’s Optimism prevails against Pessimism. He thunders that the Economy has achieved 6% to 8% GDP growth which finds a mention in the world capitals. Some of the people tend to think that Pranabda has done a highly commendable job while the common man has been deprived of his bare minimum necessities of life such as employment opportunities and easy to access articles of daily life. The heavens would not have fallen down if he had taken some measures to arrest or rein in the demand pull galloping inflation.

The aam aadmi might have some sort of apprehensions in his mind in the form of some questions which he wants to address to Pranabda who is the chief trouble shooter of the UPA II^nd. Hence it would be long haul for him to get the answers. Could any body mitigate his doubts? Please…….

The doubts are as follow……..

1        Does this budget fuel galloping demand pull inflation?

2        Does this budget stress on growth?

3        Does this budget meet the inflation concerns?

4        Is the growth target achievable?

5        Is this budget for reforms or mid-term poll oriented?

6        Where does the money come from?

This budget generates no sense of excitement across the country. How do you rate this budget?

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Please do post your comments. Your kind gesture of goodwill will be highly appreciated.

P.A. VARGHESE