Sir — Unmistakably, it was a Budget with an eye on the 2019 lok Sabha poll, and not without a lot of window dressing. It read like the BJP’s election manifesto, notwithstanding the claim that the party does not weigh the political cost of its economic policies.
It was apparently aimed at placating the impoverished masses at a time when there was a definite feeling that things were getting worse. It would be an exaggeration to say that it was a game-changing Budget.
The BJP Government has been hitherto long on ideas but short on performance. The moot question is whether the ‘road map’ will yield tangible results in time to surmount the widespread disillusionment with the Government. It takes quite a long time for Government policies to get translated into action on the ground to improve the lives of the people. It is significant that on the day of the presentation of the Union Budget, the election results went against the BJP.
The one scheme that stands out and deserves thumbs up is the national health protection scheme covering 100 million families. It is gratifying that the Government realised, albeit belatedly, that ‘health is wealth’ and an essential condition for achche din.
It should be remembered that sufficient nutrition is no less vital for unlocking human potential. Health cover of up to five lakh rupees per family per year for the poor and vulnerable called ‘Modicare’ after ‘Obamacare’ is long overdue and most welcome.
A note of caution must be struck here — it can also turn out to be a cash ‘bonanza’ for insurance companies and with the rapacity of corporations, linking the scheme with private health care sector is a real hazard.