Budget and farm sector

The comments by the author in the article “Unjust, inequitable, morally wrong” ( Business Line , March 2) are very relevant.

The allocation to agriculture and allied activities is a mere 2.5 per cent. Though agri-based industries have got priority status for investment, nothing much has been done to promote agriculture development by the farmers.

Amit Saha

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Good effort

The growth target of 9 per cent set by the Budget is clearly a positive signal, given the backdrop of weak macroeconomic conditions globally. The hike in infrastructure spending will be a huge boost to the real estate sector. This budget is good for the economy, for savings and consumption.

The Finance Minister has not talked about stabilising the the FII inflows, which are volatile. He has done a tight-rope walk under demanding circumstances and has satisfied certain sections of industry by abolishing fringe benefit tax and has brought some relief to senior citizens by increasing the tax exemption limit.

Overall, the budget was a good effort, but many crucial issues have been left out.

R. Karthik

Chennai

Cut petroleum levy

The plight of the common man — food inflation — cannot be ignored in the zeal to reduce the fiscal deficit.

The government's obligations to keep the citizens free from the menacing inflationary spiral cannot be discharged unless the rising cost of petrol and petroleum products is checked.

Duties on petroleum products should be drastically cut. Revenue loss arising from cut in duties can be replenished by imposing heavy dosage of tax on luxurious items.

K. V. Seetharamaiah

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