Opinion Right and wrong
Bibek Debroy best summed up Pranab Mukherjees Budget. Its indeed the kind of Budget we deserved since its not flashy and spectacular.
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• Bibek Debroy best summed up Pranab Mukherjees Budget. Its indeed the kind of Budget we deserved since its not flashy and spectacular. However,one does recall the saying,A finance minister has few friends and his arithmetic is poor. For instance,the FMs cabinet and party lawyer colleagues must be peeved that the service tax will cover them too. While increasing the fiscal deficit Mukherjees figures of barely Rs 1120 crore for disinvestment arent wrongheaded,but given his partys social sector projects such as rice at Rs 3 per kg,all calculations seem wrong.
Prasad Malladi
Nidadavole
Looking ahead
• The FM deserves to be praised for his balanced,yet forward-looking,Budget. It will take some time to appreciate Pranab Mukherjees tightrope walk in the context of the global recession. The Budget is growth-oriented and still keeps its focus on the aam admi. It focuses on the growth momentum vis-à-vis sizable allocations to social,agricultural,infrastructural,education and health sectors. Hopefully,Indias economic activities including employment generation will get the stimulus they need.
K.G. Menon
Hopes dashed
• In the great commotion caused by the presentation of the Union Budget every year,a side-story often overlooked is the relation between the Budget and MBA students. Just like the market,industry,academics and the media,the Union Budget captivates MBA students since their prospects for placement and well-paying jobs depend on it to quite an extent. With the global markets down,this year,more than in any other in recent memory,MBA students impatiently awaited the FMs presentation. Unfortunately,they have little cause for celebration post-Budget.
Shyam S. Rathore
Speedy killer
• Good liquor is slow poison; bad liquor can kill instantly. Its ironic that hooch has claimed 16 lives in Ahmedabad,in a so-called dry state. Such cases prove time and again that prohibition as a policy is foolish. Prohibition only drives the liquor trade underground,and those consuming cheap,spurious country liquor are endangered. This is the plight of millions of poor across India but it makes news only when sufficient numbers die of it. In place of prohibition,what we need is a massive public awareness drive about the hazards of drinking.
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad
What about Roddick?
• Roger Federer undoubtedly deserves every bit of applause for smashing Pete Samprass record. But what struck one more is how little space was devoted to Andy Roddick,who put up a very tough fight. He had made a terrific comeback. The Roddick playing Federer was unlike the one seen before.
Rashmi Mavle
Pune
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