The new budget does not burden the common man

The new budget of the Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government needs to be acknowledged as a well balanced financial program for the next year. It is friendly enough to the common man as it does not project any hikes that would burden him in his quest for a modest life.

It is gratifying to observe that substantial funds have been allocated for developing our infrastructure, especially our deplorable roads and railways. Also, a comfortable amount has been set apart to modernise our armed forces, which is again, very essential for the security of our nation.

However, the staggering negative aspect of this budget is that like all the previous budgets, nothing has been constituted to ensure that the great amount of tax payer’s money allocated for these great projects, would definitely go for the implementation of these noble schemes, rather than falling into the pockets of the bureaucrats and the politicians.

We have witnessed impressive budgets being presented in the parliament by the preceding governments as well. If good budgets and impressive speeches could transform a country, then, India by now, should have become one of the most top ranking nations of the world. However, the progress we have made has never been in proportion to the money spent on these ambitious schemes. Let us hope that the present government will be bold and honest enough to constitute an autonomous body similar to the prestigious and honest Election Commission of India to supervise and diligently mentor the implementation of these schemes without fear of reprisals from ministers.

— The reader is an Indian training manager based in Ras Al Khaimah.