EDITOR'S COLUMN


Friends
We are in the budget month. Mr Bansal, the Railway Minister has come up with his maiden railway budget. As usual, across the spectrum, there have been responses and reactions. Prime Minister said, ‘its path breaking’, and some others said “it has broken the path”. Treasury bench members and their party functionaries hailed the budget, which all opposition members blasted it in different degrees of ferocity. But then, this is how politics work. He did present a surplus budget, that by itself is a credit.
Although freight prices have been increased by a little below 6%, inflationary pressure can be there. Aam aadmi has not been disturbed. Some increase in reservation charges in higher passenger classes are alright, but Tatkaal and cancellation charges raise has no justification. Of course, it would bring revenue, but looked a little exploitative of the helplessness of the traveller, instead a straight raise in higher classes would have been in order. It would have even given better revenue. Although not quite a damp squibb, it was not cheerful either. As expected some effort at modernization and safety are in place.
The national finance budget of P. Chidambaram is eagerly expected. When you read this it would have already come. The expectant nation is hoping that it would be a good budget devoid of populism. The taxing of super rich is expected. This idea of-'what traffic can bear'-is positive. Those who earn more, should, in all fairness, pay more. But hope P. Chidambaram keeps the bench mark at Rs:1 crore. Those who earn over Rs: 1 crore should share a little more burden for the sake of nation. A 10% hike, in I.T on the income above 1crore should be ideal and may be acceptable. It would give certainly some additional revenue to the government. The complaint that ‘You are punishing those who work hard to earn more’ should be taken with a pinch of salt.  Surely there will be many who will willingly give. Of course any other aspect may be difficult to wager. Hope Finance Minister shall leave a bit of smile on everybody’s lips with his pro-development approach. Lets wait and see. We have taken up the issue, Changelessness – An Indian dimension in Focus. Hope readers will find it interesting and revert with your inputs.


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