Date:03/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/03/stories/2008030351920500.htm

Back Lacklustre Budget

Two things stand out in this year’s Union Budget. Mr Chidambaram is always known to take decisions on his own. That he has chosen to listen to the voice of millions of farmers is a tribute to the strength of Indian democracy. He must be appreciated for boldly doing a ‘doable’ thing, that is writing off loans of small and marginal farmers whether it is done with an eye on election or not. Mr Chidambaram is not a man who wants to please everybody at the cos t of economic growth. But, he has chosen to be cautious this year and in the event, has presented a lacklustre Budget. Apart from waiver of loans, smart cards for ensuring proper distribution of essential commodities through PDS and increased allocation for the education sector are the only other notable features in the Budget.

Baskar Kuppushamy, Director, Xbash technologies Pvt Ltd, Chennai.