Another Budget speech has come and gone! As the dust settles, experts will analyse the fine print, pro-government voices will shower praise on the Finance Minister for her ‘visionary’ budget, and with equal vigour, critics will pour scorn on the ‘unimaginative anti-poor’ budget! This is the lot of every FM.
Viewing it dispassionately, however, one must commend Nirmala Sitharaman for resisting the temptation of pandering to vote banks, especially in the context of the upcoming elections in key States. Equally, she has made bold to leave direct taxes almost untouched, notwithstanding the myriad demands for raising of exemption limits and increases in deductions under various sections of the Income Tax Act. Admittedly, there were some justifiable demands for reliefs, especially from the much-harried salaried class, especially in these COVID-19 pandemic-ridden times. The FM has, however, chosen to look beyond the here and now, and painted a bold vision for India@100!
