Yesterday, it was my first experience listening to the budget. And boy! Was it disappointing! As a citizen I literally gasped when Pranab Babu said, “This is the first time in history that the budget has exceeded 10 lac crores.” I mean how much time does it take to create a budget of that scale without having to explain how it will be generated. Give me the power to blabber and I can take it to 20 lac crores in a matter of a day! I was even more horrified when he announced increase in the proportion of different programmes without addressing from where the money would come from.
I think I heard something about climate change and environment in the speech, but sadly it lasted some 10 seconds and the missions were only mentioned, as if we didn’t know!! NAPCC was launched in 2008, and till now nothing has been done on it…too much talking Pranab babu, when are we implementing the strategies?? Or are they sitting pretty like many others?
So the Minister proudly proposed budget increase of several projects like NREGA, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Viduytikaran Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna et al. However, I doubt if there was an evaluation of these schemes to really see how they are working in the grassroot, if the money allocated have been spent justly. How can one justify whether pumping of these investments is practical and sustainable?
The proposal to move towards nutrient- based subsidy on fertilizers is appreciable. Its time agriculture gets the focus and farmers earn some benefits of their hard work.
Overall, it was a lukewarm effort with no concrete thinking on how the money would come or on what basis the budget has been allocated. I feel I can smile half- heartedly now that the fringe benefit tax is removed and I only get 10,000 more. But the government seriously needs to think about the environment as a key issue for our development and sustainability.
I think I heard something about climate change and environment in the speech, but sadly it lasted some 10 seconds and the missions were only mentioned, as if we didn’t know!! NAPCC was launched in 2008, and till now nothing has been done on it…too much talking Pranab babu, when are we implementing the strategies?? Or are they sitting pretty like many others?
So the Minister proudly proposed budget increase of several projects like NREGA, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Viduytikaran Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna et al. However, I doubt if there was an evaluation of these schemes to really see how they are working in the grassroot, if the money allocated have been spent justly. How can one justify whether pumping of these investments is practical and sustainable?
The proposal to move towards nutrient- based subsidy on fertilizers is appreciable. Its time agriculture gets the focus and farmers earn some benefits of their hard work.
Overall, it was a lukewarm effort with no concrete thinking on how the money would come or on what basis the budget has been allocated. I feel I can smile half- heartedly now that the fringe benefit tax is removed and I only get 10,000 more. But the government seriously needs to think about the environment as a key issue for our development and sustainability.
