Editorial: SACH, MUCH ‘ACCHE DIN’
The Modi government rode on the slogan of “Acche Din Aane Wale Hai” and created aspirations for Hope and Change among millions of Indians. Considering this, Union Budget 2014 was certainly expected to be a tangible roadmap for Acche Din. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley himself candidly accepted that he wanted to offer much more to the common man but the present state of the treasury did not allow him to do so. In any case, 45 days is not good enough time to work on any big ticket reforms. Still, the budget definitely reflects all the hard work put in by the FM and his team. No wonder that all opposition parties are taking a jibe at BJPs election slogan now. Congress even went on to say that “There is nothing new in it and the new Government has copied most of our schemes”. In a democratic polity, opposition have right to give contesting grading to the initiatives of the ruling government, but from national point of view, we need to take a more nuanced view of the vision enshrined in the Budget.
As far as the vision related to ‘Acche Din’ is concerned, by and large, all the sectors have given thumbs up for the budget on three counts-vision, direction and content. The budget 2014 clearly mirrors the image of vision propounded by Modi and his team. There is a logical continuity in BJP’s election manifesto, priorities identified after the government formation, Railway Budget and the General Budget. While focusing on standard budgetary parameters of education, employability, fiscal discipline and rationalization of taxes, the budget smartly outlines issues of cultural heritage, aspirations, industry and growth, security and inclusion. Special schemes for agriculture, differently abled people, rural housing and socially marginalised groups also negate the fear of this being a government for corporate. The budget is a clear embodiment of the ideological vision of the government.
The direction is also clear in this budget that economic growth, controlled and indispensable FDI, indigenous entrepreneurial development and even development will be focus areas in the coming days. Prioritising women and downtrodden sections of the society without indulging into populism is a pragmatic approach of the government.
Though a complete divergence from ten year long policies of the UPA government was not possible, the minute content part of the budget is definitely new. The issues of the Ganga cleaning, smart cities, solar energy, housing for all, realising Rurban, skill India programme, focus on cultural tourism and assimilating Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir in the national mainstream are certain signs of difference. These are not only new focus areas that the government has identified but also they are in tune with the vision of the government. So, the budget is yet to realize a ‘Congress Mukt’ Bharat, as it is a long process.
It is also true that the government has avoided any major reforms or harsh decisions for fiscal discipline. In terms of self sufficiency and ensuring safety and security for all, Modi government has a long way to go. Still, this budget has ensured much ‘Acche Din’ in comparison to the indecisive and divisive UPA regime. To built further on this beginning, ‘Nation First’ approach needs to be inculcated top to bottom. Then we can hope for ‘Acche Din’ for Sachcha Bharat.
