Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

A balanced budget

The Union budget may not be a flamboyant one but appears to be a balanced one. The trick is not in generating huge spin-offs but in balancing between too little resources and too many dreams. The Finance Minister has aptly given importance to the farm sector, the neglect of which will surely lead to dangerous consequences in food security. More allocation of funds for generation of rural employment and expansion of the education sector may not be growth oriented, but aim at stabilising the economy. Before we plunge more into growth, the basics need to be tightened. Price escalation, unemployment, deterioration in the agricultural front, and social problems have all been dealt with fairly.

Also the "problem of plenty" in foreign exchange reserves has been tackled well, with a portion being allocated for infrastructure development. Perhaps, the little-attended-to sector has been the salaried class. However, looking from the national perspective, this is a well-balanced budget.

P.K. Viswanathan,
Thiruvananthapuram

Mr. Chidambaram has presented a reasonable budget. From the proposed Rs.750 crore for the educational national scholarship scheme, a small amount can be paid to the educated unemployed youth. Even some amount from the forex reserves can be used for the above purpose as is common in the developed countries.

Syed Basheer,
Hyderabad

A commendable exercise in that the vital agriculture, health care, and education sectors have benefited. More commendable is the plan for development of human resources by way of scholarships, upgrading ITIs, etc. Two years down the line, we are sure to appreciate the meaningful affects of these measures.

S.K. Khosla,
New Delhi

It is gratifying that agriculture has been given more focus. Mr. Chidambaram needs to be complimented for the positive steps taken on irrigation, crop insurance, and some subsidies. The aim for a four per cent growth rate, however, is not adequate. The emphasis should have also been on post-harvest management of farm produce, market chain, and food processing.

V. Rajagopal,
Tirupati

Hats off to Mr. Chidambaram for managing to cater to the requirements of all sections. He has been able to feel the pulse of the common man, especially evident in the judicious allocation for education.

P. Maria Christopher,
Dindigul

The proposal of reverse mortgage for senior citizens is a blessing. A regular income from the homes they own will enable them to live a better life.

N. Kunju,
New Delhi

A budget in keeping with the needs of the day. Defence, agriculture, education, and health care are the priorities. Rightly, all these have received more than fair treatment.

Ramya Ravindran,
Cincinnati, Ohio

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