SAMBALPUR: Economist Dilip Panda termed the Union Budget as a ‘multi dimensional populist budget’. He said the Budget has touched almost all the aspects of the economy which makes it clumsy.
However, the emphasis on building infrastructure both in rural as well as urban areas is a long run perspective and provides a positive direction to Indian economy. He said the best part of the Budget is that it is an attempt to universalise the health facilities particularly, the provision of providing free drugs and diagnostics.
He said the social sector development programme has also been given a boost and emphasis on North East region and opening up of IIT, IIM and AIIMS in different states is a welcome measure. However, he was apprehensive of practical implementation of the projects and achieving a fiscal deficit target of 4.1 per cent.
Former MP Bhabani Hota said the Budget is a continuation of earlier budget with added emphasis and additional allocation in some sectors of economy. “The raising of FDI cap to 49 pc in insurance and defence sectors would invite resistance from the people and particularly, the trade unions,” he said.
Former Leader of Opposition in State Assembly, Sachidanand Dalal, said the Budget looks people oriented and welcomed the thrust on agriculture, education and health. The Budget clearly reveals the effort being made to put India back on growth track.