The Hindu Business Line : Thursday, March 01, 2007

BUDGET
Will it meet its objectives?
Growth is a function of investment. But to sustain growth, the investment rate has to be rising year after year. More

Continuity without fireworks
Given that Budgets will be delivered under ever increasing constraints, there will be greater continuity, stability and predictability of Budgets and that's as it should be. So the biggest missed opportunity of this year — is of not tinkering w ith any rates at all! More

Neither fish, nor fowl, nor good red herring
There was no evidence of fresh thinking on the farm front, other than the familiar nostrums that have proved ineffective in addressing the problems of farm productivity. More

UNION BUDGET 2007-08 — Places economy on sound, sustainable track
The Budget is noteworthy for its emphasis on health and education-related issues, as also its acceptance of the idea of using forex reserves for infrastructure. And, while it may not quite be a Dream Budget, it is a pragmatic exercise that has positi ve messages for society and places the economy on a sound forward track, says S. VENKITARAMANAN. More

Short-term pains for long-term gains
All attention must be focussed on sustaining the journey at a higher trajectory. If for that purpose we need to sacrifice something in the short term, so be it. More

A boost to consumerism
The Budget proposals will provide a welcome impetus to the agricultural, infrastructure, and the Small and Medium Enterprises sectors. However, few of the proposals will have a negative impact on the corporates involved in growth and knowledge ... More

Missed, a great opportunity
It is the best of times, it is the worst of times. A secular, sustainable GDP growth of 9 per cent, tax collections growing at 30 per cent, forex reserves of $180 billion , and a growing feeling that India can make it. At the same time 700 ... More

No great marks
The education sector as a whole has got 34 per cent higher allocation in the Budget, getting Rs 32,352 crore, including around Rs 5,000 crore for women and child welfare. In effect elementary, secondary and higher education put together get Rs ... More

Stepping stone to a developed economy
This budget comes in the backdrop of a growing economy, good growth in industrial production and services, swelling of interest rates and inflation. Sustainability of economic growth with moderate inflation depends on a major thrust for ... More

Nourishing the farm sector
Vigorous growth with strong macroeconomic fundamentals characterise developments in the Indian economy in 2006-07, with sharp increase in savings and investment rate. As per the advance estimates of GDP for 2006-07, the economy is expected to ... More

Social thrust, not populist
The Budget should be viewed in the context of a strong economic growth and concerns on inflation. To my mind, the Finance Minister has done a fair job. While he has ensured that his proposals in general help to sustain the economic momentum, ... More

Unnecessary frenzy
In no other country is such a level of noise generated on an activity that should be reformed and routine. More

Booster dose for education, healthcare
The Budget is in line with the Government's focus of sustaining the current growth rate. There was a concern that while the overall GDP growth rate has been on target, the agriculture sector has been lagging. Thus higher allocations to rural ... More

Good mix of fiscal measures
Overall the Budget is balanced and growth oriented. The Budget presentation has come at a time when the economy is in excellent shape and the Finance Minister's past budgets have already delivered a 9-plus per cent growth in GDP and over 12 per ... More

Yes to inclusive growth
The Finance Minister has sought to maintain a thrust on growth through enhanced outlay in infrastructure while ensuring fiscal prudence. It should help to sustain growth over the medium term. From a capital markets perspective, the increase in ... More