I heaved a sigh of relief after reading the >Editorial (July 11) — which was impartial, unbiased and positive. Almost all other editorials in the mainstream dailies targeted the government for not fulfilling promises made in the run-up to the election.
Menon G.,
Mumbai
The opinions of a spectrum of political leaders, business leaders, social activists and experts helped us understand in a reader-friendly way what lies ahead. Also, “Cartoonscape” was right on target.
B. Jambulingam,
Thanjavur
The maiden budget can at best be described as a directional one. Under the circumstances, Arun Jaitley has had his task cut out — kick-start the economy; rein in inflation; reduce interest rates; project a business-friendly face and improve the tax-GDP ratio. It is important that India brings in foreign investors by converting Foreign Institutional Investors into Foreign Direct Investors by facilitating foreign capital induction and technology. It would be prudent to watch the implementation of the budget and see how the review deficit is managed. Unless the government is able to rein in its expenditure and adequately raise revenue to bridge the gap, the bitter pill will have to be swallowed.
V.R. Shyam Sundar,
Chennai
The big push for 100 “smart cities” shows the government’s vision for the modernisation of India. A jarring note was the allocation of Rs.200 crore for a Sardar Patel statue project, considering that there are sectors such as health, education and transport infrastructure that need aid. What is welcome is that there is no fresh tax burden on the common person.
Vineet Sharma,
Rewari, Haryana
The announcement of the National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) and the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana will help preserve our rich culture and heritage. The savings incentives for senior citizens is another good step. For a change, this budget appears to be honest and caring.
R.D. Singh,
Ambala, Haryana
The setting up of an Expenditure Management Committee, 49 per cent FDI in the defence and insurance sectors, provisions for building highways and ports, river linkage, cleaning of the Ganga, restructuring of the FCI, promoting the PPP model and moderate personal tax exemption are some of the significant takeaways.
S.N. Srinivasan,
Bangalore
I am not surprised that the poignancy and the harsh reality of the story, “Two chaiwallahs and a budget” (July 10), does not find proper reflection in the budget. The present dispensation which equates bullet trains/branded food/airport-like railway stations to development; which looks at PPPs and FDIs (selected ones) as superior modes of governance, and which is particularly hostile to schemes like MGNREGA because they were introduced by the UPA/Congress, cannot be expected to see virtue in such schemes. While they may not be abandoned, they will be let to flounder. But why blame the BJP, when UPA-II itself was indifferent to it. After this budget, the lives of the likes of Chiman Singh and their families continue to swing between hope and despair.
M. Balakrishnan,
Bangalore
Let’s talk about PSU disinvestment. The accretion in the value of shares in these companies is not brought about by governmental investment alone; it is also because of the efforts of the employees. The government should earmark a portion of the proceeds following disinvestment to create a corpus that will take care of employees who have retired without any pension.
K. Rajendran,
Chennai
Rs. 60,000 crore for a bullet train in which 95 per cent of Indians will never travel; Rs.200 crore for a statue which is meant to mock the Congress… It is apparent that there is quite a lot of money to be given away. Therefore, Mr. Jaitley must stop complaining about “inheriting empty coffers.”
Sham Sankar,
Thiruvananthapuram
All the election rhetoric of the BJP has come to naught. The only thing it did with some conviction was allowing FDI which it opposed tooth and nail when it was in the Opposition. It is a shame that the BJP is so devoid of innovative ideas. Whether “ acche din ” comes or not, “ aam din ” will continue for now. One only hopes that “ bure din ” doesn’t take over from there.
H. Mohamed John,
Chennai
The increased cap on FDI in the insurance/defence sectors has been criticised by the Left. But one should not forget that foreign investment constitutes barely 10 per cent of the total investment. The need of the hour is to strengthen domestic savings. The Great Depression of 1929 should always be kept in mind while formulating excessive pro-market economic policies.
Tabish Naqvi,
Patiala
Mr. Jaitley has inherited a bucking bronco of an economy. Needless to say, the budget has come as a disappointment to many who were expecting Mr. Modi to wave a magic wand and say “imperio” to rein in the economy. This budget is not perfect. And neither were the earlier budgets. The Minister has spelt out the various commitments of his government by introducing several Rs.100-crore schemes. Let’s hope this new recipe works out.
Nihar Akunuri,
Guntur
A Finance Minister can please all sections of society only when he has access to unlimited resources. The South says the North has been favoured while the poor say the rich or the corporate sector is being favoured. What more is there that a government in the developing world can do? If the Congress president says the Modi government has aped the policies of the Congress government, she should take the budget to be a compliment.
Sridas Sivasambo,
Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu
Not all curative amendments made this year have been accurate, leaving many questions unanswered. The government has given special attention to enhancing the growth of the non-conventional energy sector. With a significant increase in excise duty rates on tobacco products, aerated drinks with sugar and an increase in clean energy, it seems the government is keen on environment sustainability and the well-being of individuals.
F.A. Sulthanbi,
Madurai
It is hard to understand why there is so much opposition to 49 per cent FDI in the defence sector. Indigenisation has not helped and India still needs help from the West. Foreign involvement is welcome.
Jaya Kumar Varma R.K.,
Pandalam, Kerala
The Finance Minister could have been even more considerate to senior citizens by offering them unlimited medical claim benefits.
Puthige Ramesh,
Bangalore
Senior citizens above the age of 85 and who depend on their pension should have been exempt from filing income tax returns in view of their failing health. Is it too late to think about them?
Gaspar Amaldas,
Tiruchi
