Opinion Great expectations

The economic survey,2013,projected more than 6 per cent growth for the next fiscal

The Indian Express

March 4, 2013 02:13 AM IST First published on: Mar 4, 2013 at 02:13 AM IST

Great expectations

* The economic survey,2013,projected more than 6 per cent growth for the next fiscal (Staying power,IE,February 28). Budget 2013-14 targeted a fiscal deficit of 5.2 per cent for 2012-13 and of 4.8 per cent for 2013-14. Both the predictions seem to bank on a boost in industrial and agricultural output as well as better performance in key sectors like mining. This is expected to be coupled with a tightening of expenditure. Most of the huge investments proposed in social and infrastructure sectors are also based on the same expectations. Yet industrial/ agricultural output and performance in key sectors were dismal in the current fiscal. Moreover,the world economy is yet to recover. The finance minister will need a magic wand to set right the countrys economic ills.

Varathra Sreekumar

Delhi

* IT WAS bold of Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to levy a 10 per cent surcharge on those with an annual income of Rs 1 crore and above. This will reduce the gap between the middle class and the rich. It is also likely to cut down on ostentatious spending by the rich. This could tilt the market supply away from luxury goods and towards commodities that the middle class can afford.

K.L. Khandekar

Vadodara

Still in spin

* THIS refers to The Chepauk spin by Mini Kapoor (IE,February 28). It is well known that Indian pitches are peculiarly suited to spin bowlers. In the recent Test matches against India,England learnt to play its spinners to win the series. This came as a shock to the Indian team. Although Harbhajan Singh has not been at his best the last few years,his experience will come in handy when picking younger spinners for the Indian side. It remains to be seen whether our spinners can continue to perform consistently and ensure a solid performance against a mediocre Australian side.

Aditya Jha

Gurgaon

Paying heed

* THE editorial For the incumbent ( IE,March 1) rightly stresses the need for the Centre to pay closer attention to the Northeast. The region requires a bold vision and initiative. New plans must be put in place to make the region investor-friendly. The recent elections in Tripura,Meghalaya and Nagaland show that the people of these states have voted for development and stability. The ruling party in the Centre cannot afford to mete out step-motherly treatment to these states merely because some might be governed by opposition parties. The ethnic conflict last year,which led to hundreds of Northeastern people fleeing cities like Bangalore,have cast a pall over their aspirations. The Centre must make every effort to integrate them into the national mainstream.

Ganapathi Bhat

Akola