The Hindu Business Line : Beyond the Budget

In the editorial, “The waiver and its burden” (Business Line, March 5), there was a question, “Who bears the burden?” Most likely, the future taxpayers. On the part of the government, it was a noble and belated attempt to reach out to the rural poor. As per estimations, the infrastructure sector would require an investment of $490 billion over the next five years.

Allocation for the major infrastructure segments of energy, transport and communication for 2008-09 are Rs 93,815 crore.

The present definition classifies marginal farmers as those owning up to one hectare and small farmers as those owning one-two hectares.

Farmers cultivating crops in rainfed, arid and semi-arid areas may own four-five hectares, but their income is uncertain and their agricultural destiny is closely linked to the monsoon. They will not be eligible for debt waiver and debt relief under the present scheme.

Of the total outstanding debt, 41.6 per cent was taken for purposes other than farm-related activities such as healthcare and domestic needs; 57.7 per cent was sourced from institutional channels and 42.3 per cent from money-lenders, traders, relatives and friends. The knowledge of farmers in key sectors such as irrigation, post-harvest technology, market and communication leaves much to be desired.

Even today, farmers dry harvested paddy on roads. This is a testimony to their lack of attention in post-harvest technology.

The Ministry of Agriculture has estimated the total output of foodgrains in 2007-08 to be 219.32 million tonnes, an all-time record.

The editorial has rightly mentioned that income-generating capacities are to be improved and that it is better to teach a hungry man to fish than to feed him.

T. V. Jayaprakash Palakkad

Health and awareness

According to the Budget 2008-09 announcements, the Government has planned two major interventions — the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna and the National Programme For Elderly. Under the first initiative, a health cover of Rs 30,000 will be provided to every worker in unorganised sector under Below the Poverty category. The scheme is to be launched in Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan on April 1, 2008 and Rs 205 crore has been provided in the Budget as the Centre’s share for the scheme.

This is, no doubt, an appreciable initiative and was needed the most. The government must take care of the following aspects.

It should not hesitate to admit that identification of BPL families is faulty. Besides, the implementation and administration of government schemes in the unorganised sector is a great challenge.

To address these issues, the government should further refine the identification process by involving the community more actively. Further, leveraging technology can ensure better implementation.

The poor must understand the claim settlement procedures, which must be made hassle-free. Steps should be initiated to create awareness about the scheme among the targeted beneficiaries. This will go a long way in improving the health of the nation.

S. P. Singh Delhi

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