Budget 2009

After a thumping victory in 2009 general elections of the UPA regime, it was expected that this budget can be tough and reformist in more than one way by the virtue of absence of left to meddle into Govt. of India affairs. But PM and FM has put up a surprise this time. Though, there has been a lot of criticism wrapped around, I think the intention of the budget has been very novel. The very fundamental of UPA victory was primarily NREGA scheme which is virtually "right to work". And the government has not shied away in putting more and more moolah into it.

Then again there is no doubting that this, if implemented efficiently out of our red tape rut, can actually do an up-liftment of the society on a bigger scale, but of course as a slight improvement for millions given the sheer size of the populace and the scale. It looks more like an ethnic cleansing of the poor in a noble sense. Providing them respectability in the society by making them earn by themselves and equipping them such that they can take care of themselves and their surroundings. It will be many decades probably when we can say there are no poor in this country living in inhuman conditions. Mind you, poverty can't be eradicated in either capitalist or socialist set up but the difference is how much responsibility the state can demonstrate in taking care of 'not so fortunate' ones.

Another aspect is the amount of expenditure planned for such schemes which will leave the fiscal deficit to be an all time high. Not to miss the case that bigger ambitions require such expenditures to incur but there has to be a way to generate the revenues for the government. And this budget does not talk about how the government is supposed to raise the money to fulfill its own ambitions. Divestment has been talked about in the public sector units which is not a bad idea. But its a catch-22 situation where the government does not want to relinquish more than 49% and keeps the reins in its hands and corporates will not be very pleased if they can't run it there way. A mixed economy like India always makes an interesting case study of how a capitalistic way shall be assumed to cater to a socialistic agenda!

As a citizen, I would not frown like corporates for tax subsidies and tax holidays or red-band-wagon for unionization and even the aam-aadmi for tax cuts and home loan waivers. But I will stand and support the government in its right intentions and not cry upon over an extra lunch I could have with my tax-deductions. I have not indulged in any public-service as yet for the very reason that I do not fully trust these outlets of NGO and self acclaimed social service units, but it relaxes me if I know that my taxed money is being utilized by the govt. in a better way since last 50 years to build this nation. We must be critical of the state to keep it on its toes but as well support the intentions and participate in the debates. The time has come for nation-building, friends ... lets leap to the next orbit!