EDITOR'S COLUMN
Friends,
Beginning with all fools day, April ushers the new financial year. Second full budget was presented by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The national finance document was dissected thread bear by all stake holders both in print media and electronic channels.
It has been generally hailed as pro-rural. Beginning with a tall promise of doubling farm income by 2022; increasing irrigation outlays of Rs 17,000 crores, low cost crop insurance scheme as Rs. 5,500 crores, interest subsidy to farm loan of about Rs. 15,000 crores with MGNREGA getting the allocation of Rs 38,500 crores, besides the plan of electrification of all villages by 2018, its been fairly rural heavy. Therefore it is expected to be better for the rural folks, both in terms of improved overall income and better living conditions. The union budget also had proposals like taxing the rich based on principle of ‘what traffic can bear.’ Those getting more than Rs. 10 lakhs as dividend shall have to pay the new dividend tax of 10%. Similarly those who are earning more than Rs. 1 crore as salary shall have their surcharge increased from 12% to 15%. Thus, in one stroke, Modi- government tried to dispel the allegation, that it is business friendly and in fact truly rural friendly and pro poor. Of course in a country, where there are people like Rahul Bajaj of Bajaj Group, who has openly accepted “I have no problem in paying more for the increased earnings”, it is a positive vibe from the business community. Initiatives like Start-up India and Skill development is likely to have multiplier effect on the economy and society as a whole. Tax exemption to new manufacturing companies can greatly help Start-Ups. Besides huge funding for infrastructure like highways and arterial connecting roads too can lead to boosting of the economy. Hope all the good intentions conveyed in the budget carries its message to the intended target.
Month-in-perspective has been as usual covered as much as it could within the space constraints.
Violence in Lahore, violence in Brussels, have exposed the vulnerability of general public anywhere, to the organized killing in the name of faith. While all faiths love peace and abhor violence, why this uncontrolled bloodletting is a question that disturbs everybody across the board. Don’t we all want to live a peaceful life? Even those who were involved in the killings of those who are innocents, should be yearning for peace and yet these meaningless killings keep happening. Questions are far too many, but alluding answers.
Ijtihad, is a Quranic inscription which provokes questions. Thus we have this Irshad Manji, who calls herself as a Muslim pluralist from Canada asking many questions about the influences in her life. Then you have this ISIS, the latest movement of the ‘faithfuls’. We have tried to combine the three under Focus, in an attempt to have some dialogue. Will that happen? is a question looking for answer. Hope readers shall find it worth their time. Kindly revert with your thoughts as usual. We do value them.
J. Shriyan
Beginning with all fools day, April ushers the new financial year. Second full budget was presented by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The national finance document was dissected thread bear by all stake holders both in print media and electronic channels.
It has been generally hailed as pro-rural. Beginning with a tall promise of doubling farm income by 2022; increasing irrigation outlays of Rs 17,000 crores, low cost crop insurance scheme as Rs. 5,500 crores, interest subsidy to farm loan of about Rs. 15,000 crores with MGNREGA getting the allocation of Rs 38,500 crores, besides the plan of electrification of all villages by 2018, its been fairly rural heavy. Therefore it is expected to be better for the rural folks, both in terms of improved overall income and better living conditions. The union budget also had proposals like taxing the rich based on principle of ‘what traffic can bear.’ Those getting more than Rs. 10 lakhs as dividend shall have to pay the new dividend tax of 10%. Similarly those who are earning more than Rs. 1 crore as salary shall have their surcharge increased from 12% to 15%. Thus, in one stroke, Modi- government tried to dispel the allegation, that it is business friendly and in fact truly rural friendly and pro poor. Of course in a country, where there are people like Rahul Bajaj of Bajaj Group, who has openly accepted “I have no problem in paying more for the increased earnings”, it is a positive vibe from the business community. Initiatives like Start-up India and Skill development is likely to have multiplier effect on the economy and society as a whole. Tax exemption to new manufacturing companies can greatly help Start-Ups. Besides huge funding for infrastructure like highways and arterial connecting roads too can lead to boosting of the economy. Hope all the good intentions conveyed in the budget carries its message to the intended target.
Month-in-perspective has been as usual covered as much as it could within the space constraints.
Violence in Lahore, violence in Brussels, have exposed the vulnerability of general public anywhere, to the organized killing in the name of faith. While all faiths love peace and abhor violence, why this uncontrolled bloodletting is a question that disturbs everybody across the board. Don’t we all want to live a peaceful life? Even those who were involved in the killings of those who are innocents, should be yearning for peace and yet these meaningless killings keep happening. Questions are far too many, but alluding answers.
Ijtihad, is a Quranic inscription which provokes questions. Thus we have this Irshad Manji, who calls herself as a Muslim pluralist from Canada asking many questions about the influences in her life. Then you have this ISIS, the latest movement of the ‘faithfuls’. We have tried to combine the three under Focus, in an attempt to have some dialogue. Will that happen? is a question looking for answer. Hope readers shall find it worth their time. Kindly revert with your thoughts as usual. We do value them.
J. Shriyan
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