Mrs. Rama Devi, Former Governer
 
A Jarring note in an otherwise good music
 
The Finance Minister wanted the blessings from Senior citizens and women.  I belong to both the categories and I liberally bless him for the concessions announced for both these categories. The withdrawal of tax on Tea and Vanaspati is a welcome step for the middle class sections of society. Reduction Customs duties on machinery items and IT will boost industrial production. I an extremely pleased with the Finance Minister’s stress on skill based education. Our degree based education has failed to deliver the goods. We need to create a system of education where the educated are capable of being employed. He has also stressed on assistance to self help groups. These are highly idealistic and comparable to Gandhian philosophy. On the whole this is a human resource and welfare development budget and I whole heartedly congratulate the Finance Minister.
 
However there is a jarring note in the otherwise pleasant orchestra. The tax on withdrawal of Rs.10,000 from the bank. This is my money and I have already paid tax on that. I don’t understand the logic of taxing this again when I withdraw. This is a retrograde step and amounts to double-jeopardy. 

Dr. Jaya Prakash Narayan, former IAS officer, convenor, L:ok Satta and member National Advisory Committee
 
The Finance Minister had to present his considering the following six basic requirements.

1. Need for fiscal  consolidation and prudent resource management

2. Emphasis and allocation on social sector

3. Enhanced plan allocation

4. Enhanced devolution to states

5. Tax stability

6. Impetus to economic growth

7. Continuous implementation to economic growth

Considering the six objectives and given the compulsions under which he has to work,  on the whole,  a credible and positive effort.
 
A major concern  is delivery of services and implementation., for which the Finance Minister did not come with any tangible ideas.
 
Rs. 26,000 crores bonanza to states on the recommendations of the 12th Finance Commission should have been linked to local government empowerment and transfer of the resources directly to them.
 
We require aggressive pursuit of economic liberalization policies which worked so well in the last 10 years. Unfortunately the political compulsions have tied up the Finance Minister’s hands.

However considering the above factors, he has to be congratulated for a creditworthy performance.

Radhika Shastry, General Manager- India Operations, RCI India
 
Tourism is set to witness a leap in the next few years with the new provisions on infrastructure development, development of highways, exemptions to Indian Airlines and Air India. The lending of Rs. 10000 crores to specific tourism projects will allow for several developers in the hospitality industry to leverage India's emerging strengths on the global tourism circuit. Overall - a development oriented budget for the industry