The Budget for Aam Aadmi- Who?
Pranab Da has dedicated his budget presented in Lok Sabha to Aam Aadmi. Who and where is that aam aadmi?
In the Budget there is no initiative to check price rise while the allocation for health, education, employment, women etc fall much short of the targets decided for them. The corporate sector is relieved not because of the doles offered but it was expecting harsh measures. Income tax concessions can make none happy releeing under inflation in the price of food items. Increase in the allocation of budget for forces is good enough just to adjust for inflation. The deficit is being balanced through rise in petroleum prises, disinvestment of public sector and bringing more services under service tax.
So, for whom is this budget? Who is that aam aadmi? Do people below poverty line form this category? Is creamy layer of the society (with income more than 4.5 lacs) is a part? Are class III and IV employes in the government/private sector included in it?
As per the government, BPL includes those with annual income less than Rs. 30,000/- and 20,000/- respectively in rural and urban areas. For OBCs the limit for Creamy Layer has been set at Rs. 4.5 lacs. Does it mean that aam aadmi belongs to the category with income range of Rs. 30,000- 4.5 lacs? Besides, how can you include two persons in the same category without assessing his/her liabilities? For example, a fresh technocrat with 3.0 lacs as his annual package can not be in the same category as a government/private employee with 20 years of service, three sons and daughters in schools/college or waiting to get married.
Pranab Da is politically correct in presenting this budget. It is claimed that the budget reflects the wisdom of three great economists, other two being Mr Manmohan Singh and Mr. Montek Singh. Right? The threesome have the vision of economy as pratised by the West and as directed by World Bank.
I feel like becoming prophetic here. Food Security bill has found no place in the budget. You also must not expect it next year. It will be included in the last full budget of UPA, not the last one, as the last one will certainly be a vote on account. And even if it is introduced earlier, it is not likely to have teeth, i.e. it wo't be legally bound that could be challenged in the court. Can you read between the lines?
In the Budget there is no initiative to check price rise while the allocation for health, education, employment, women etc fall much short of the targets decided for them. The corporate sector is relieved not because of the doles offered but it was expecting harsh measures. Income tax concessions can make none happy releeing under inflation in the price of food items. Increase in the allocation of budget for forces is good enough just to adjust for inflation. The deficit is being balanced through rise in petroleum prises, disinvestment of public sector and bringing more services under service tax.
So, for whom is this budget? Who is that aam aadmi? Do people below poverty line form this category? Is creamy layer of the society (with income more than 4.5 lacs) is a part? Are class III and IV employes in the government/private sector included in it?
As per the government, BPL includes those with annual income less than Rs. 30,000/- and 20,000/- respectively in rural and urban areas. For OBCs the limit for Creamy Layer has been set at Rs. 4.5 lacs. Does it mean that aam aadmi belongs to the category with income range of Rs. 30,000- 4.5 lacs? Besides, how can you include two persons in the same category without assessing his/her liabilities? For example, a fresh technocrat with 3.0 lacs as his annual package can not be in the same category as a government/private employee with 20 years of service, three sons and daughters in schools/college or waiting to get married.
Pranab Da is politically correct in presenting this budget. It is claimed that the budget reflects the wisdom of three great economists, other two being Mr Manmohan Singh and Mr. Montek Singh. Right? The threesome have the vision of economy as pratised by the West and as directed by World Bank.
I feel like becoming prophetic here. Food Security bill has found no place in the budget. You also must not expect it next year. It will be included in the last full budget of UPA, not the last one, as the last one will certainly be a vote on account. And even if it is introduced earlier, it is not likely to have teeth, i.e. it wo't be legally bound that could be challenged in the court. Can you read between the lines?
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