To charge the late Vilasrao Deshmukh with unthinking behaviour by taking Bollywood personalities to a 26/11-hit site is both understandable. And necessary.
Budget 2019 was a chronicle of achievements, a roadmap for the future, envisaging the return of the NDA, garnished with pre-poll populism, and finally, some warmth for the tax payer.
The government has already sounded the war bugle on elections. But in the bargain, the promises made need to be implemented with care.
A politics of hand-outs hasn’t removed poverty from India. It has embedded it even more deeply. Narendra Modi was elected to end this politics. He is now following it.
The Budget offers some limited positives with a vital few missing links, meriting a closer review.
The BJP, like any right-wing government, gets significant leeway due to a 'tough on security' tag that goes with right-wing territory.
Key announcements made in the Modi govt's Interim Budget will impact a longer time-frame, and will strongly change the political landscape for the BJP, making a determined push to woo the middle class now.
Guaranteed income schemes, farm loan waivers, subsidies and all such band-aids will not cover the government's blemishes.
The new tax exemption does not help senior citizens much.
The Budget earmarks Rs 750 crore for cow protection and welfare. This will stir Hindu hearts, no doubt, but it should also spark questions about modern 'cow protection'.
Sign In With Twitter
