UPA's Budget 2013-14: Example of Disconnect, Desperation and Disappointment!

This 2013-14 budget of the UPA Government is yet another example of their Dis-connect with the people of the country.  Through this Budget, the UPA Government has tried to be ‘populist’ at the cost of the Nation. However, they have failed to do that also because they do not know what the people want. Moreover, there is no direction for improving the Growth Rate of the country. There is also no linkage of the Budget with the 12th Five Year Plan. Nor there is any commitment to reduce the Fiscal deficit which is as high as 5.9% and has been going up over the years. They have also not shown any direction for ‘removing the bottlenecks’ which were promised even in the last budget. There is also no direction for skill development and /or employment generation for the youth in this youngest country of the world! Thus, this being their last executable budget, UPA has lost even this opportunity to do something good for the country.

UPA budget looks at the problems of the country in piece meal manner.  

UPA budget is luke warm in nature– caught between populist measures aimed at the vote banks and country’s major economic issues. In short, it appears that UPA somehow just wants to play safe and complete their period in office before they face the election. This budget reflects that desperation and hence has disappointed people at large.

Today, we are facing a crisis- we are at a critical juncture. We are facing the threat of downgrade in ratings, declining growth, dismal job creation, acute shortage of skilled workers, high current account deficit and fiscal deficit, total lack of new projects and decrease in investment in infrastructure. Has UPA budget addressed any of these issues? While the FM assures that India’s economy would reach a size of US $ 5 trillion by 2025, there is no sign of reaching anywhere near this target.

Development of infrastructure is critical for sustainable growth. Against the much needed Rs. 55 lakh crore for infrastructure development, the budget attempts to mobilize a meager Rs. 50,000 crore through tax free bonds and infrastructure debt bonds, and that too in  the backdrop of lack of project sanctions and policy paralysis. This budget has also failed to address one of the grave problems of shortage of skilled workers. Recently, we saw President Obama speaking on this issue as a grave problem being faced by America. Despite the talk about harnessing our demographic dividend, the PM also talking about it in all NDC meetings, this budget has paid only lip service to this issue by allocating a mere Rs. 1000 crores for the same. This can be understood better by comparing it with Gujarat, which allocates more than Rs. 800 crores for skill development.

Now, at the fag end of their tenure, they have realized that ‘food inflation is worrying’. But even now there is no direction or strategy to reduce this inflation. Thus, the ‘Aam Aadami’ has to remain without food even further.  Moreover, there is no sign of any move to bring down the total outstanding debt from the level of 40% of the GDP. Further, not much of austerity measures have been announced.  The attempt to keep the fiscal deficit below 5.2 in current year and 4.8% in 2013-14 without any clear measures to mop up tax revenues and increase the collection efficiency leads us to only expect cuts in development spending.  This would further affect the investments and therefore the creation of jobs. Moreover, the Centre may resort to arbitrary cut in allocation to states.

Announcement of setting up the World’s first public sector women’s bank is nothing but a mockery. Co-operative Banks including those for women are functioning since long in Gujarat. But it is unfortunate that the UPA government is levying income tax on them, and making them unviable. This budget has not even talked about the critical health sector.

There are other issues like tax collection. The states have been requesting the centre to address the issue of deficit of trust that hinders the creation of consensus among the states on indirect tax reforms. It can be seen that CST compensation has been budgeted at Rs.9000 crores. However, for Gujarat alone, the outstanding claims of compensation will be Rs.3800 crore. This provision is a mere token and totally inadequate and will hinder the march towards GST.

Also, not much has been done to address the issue of lack of housing for the poor and middle class. Allocation of 8,000 crores for rural and urban housing is inadequate. Similarly, one cannot help wondering if the announcement of PMGSY- II for mostly Congress ruled states such as Andhra, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan was driven by political bias.

To conclude, I would say that this UPA budget for 2013-14 is a disappointing budget. It has failed to address the issues related to boosting the economic growth, cutting down inflation, usher investments, creating skills and jobs and building infrastructure. In short, the common man will continue to feel the pinch of price rise, the unemployment of the youth will continue, and the investors will experience economic uncertainty. Even where on paper some projects are shown and allocations done, given the poor record of governance of the UPA and corruption that plagues this regime, it is doubtful whether these measures will ever be implemented in the desired spirit. Thus, this budget lacks vision and is devoid of any strategy for growth of the Nation and welfare of people. But to its credit, a disconnected and desperate UPA has been consistent in disappointing the country.

 

Narendra Modi

Explore More
78-ാം സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ ദിനത്തില്‍ ചുവപ്പ് കോട്ടയില്‍ നിന്ന് പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ നരേന്ദ്ര മോദി നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗം

ജനപ്രിയ പ്രസംഗങ്ങൾ

78-ാം സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ ദിനത്തില്‍ ചുവപ്പ് കോട്ടയില്‍ നിന്ന് പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ നരേന്ദ്ര മോദി നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗം
Cabinet extends One-Time Special Package for DAP fertilisers to farmers

Media Coverage

Cabinet extends One-Time Special Package for DAP fertilisers to farmers
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
...
തൻ്റെ കാഴ്ചപ്പാടും ദൃഢനിശ്ചയവും കൊണ്ട് ഇന്ത്യയെ രൂപപ്പെടുത്തിയ രാഷ്ട്രതന്ത്രജ്ഞൻ അടൽ ജിക്ക് ആദരാഞ്ജലികൾ
December 25, 2024

Today, 25th December is a very special day for all of us. Our nation marks the 100th Jayanti of our beloved former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. He stands tall as a statesman who continues to inspire countless people.

Our nation will always be grateful to Atal Ji for being the architect of India’s transition into the 21st century. When he took oath as PM in 1998 our nation had passed through a period of political instability. In about 9 years we had seen 4 Lok Sabha elections. The people of India were getting impatient and also sceptical about governments being able to deliver. It was Atal Ji who turned this tide by providing stable and effective governance. Coming from humble roots, he realised the struggles of the common citizen and the transformative power of effective governance.

One can see the long-term impact of Atal Ji’s leadership in so many sectors around us. His era marked a gigantic leap in the world of Information Technology, telecom and communications. This was particularly important for a nation like ours, which is also blessed with a very dynamic Yuva Shakti. The NDA Government under Atal Ji made the first serious attempt to make technology accessible to the common citizens. At the same time, there was foresight in connecting India. Even today, most people recall the Golden Quadrilateral Project, which connected the length and breadth of India. Equally notable were the Vajpayee Government’s efforts to enhance local connectivity as well through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Similarly, his Government gave a push to metro connectivity by doing extensive work for the Delhi Metro, which stands out as a world-class infrastructure project. Thus, the Vajpayee Government not only boosted economic growth but also brought distant regions closer, fostering unity and integration.

When it comes to the social sector, an initiative like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan highlights how Atal Ji dreamt of building an India where modern education is accessible to people across the nation, particularly for the poor and marginalised sections. At the same time, his government presided over many economic reforms which set the stage for India’s economic surge after several decades of following an economic philosophy which encouraged cronyism and stagnation.

A wonderful example of Vajpayee Ji’s leadership can be seen in the summer of 1998. His Government had just assumed office and on 11th May, India conducted the Pokhran tests, known as Operation Shakti. These tests exemplified the prowess of India’s scientific community. The world was stunned that India had done the tests and expressed their anger in no uncertain terms. Any ordinary leader would have buckled, but Atal Ji was made differently. And what happened? India stood firm and resolute with the government calling for another set of tests two days later, on 13th May! If the tests of the 11th showed scientific skill, the ones on 13th showed true leadership. It was a message to the world that gone were the days when India would buckle under threats or pressure. Despite facing international sanctions, the then NDA government of Vajpayee Ji stood firm, articulating India’s right to safeguard its sovereignty while simultaneously being the strongest proponent of world peace.

Atal Ji understood Indian democracy and also the need to make it stronger. Atal Ji presided over the creation of the NDA, which redefined coalitions in Indian politics. He brought people together and made NDA a force for development, national progress and regional ambitions. His Parliamentary brilliance was seen throughout his political journey. He belonged to a party with a handful of MPs but his words were enough to rattle the might of the all-powerful Congress Party that time. As Prime Minister, he blunted the criticisms of the Opposition with style and substance. His was a career spent largely in the Opposition benches but never carried any trace of bitterness against anyone, even though the Congress stooped to new lows by going to the extent of calling him a traitor!

He was also not one to cling on to power through opportunistic means. He preferred to resign in 1996 instead of following the path of horse-trading and dirty politics. In 1999, his Government was defeated by 1 vote. A lot of people told him to challenge the immoral politics happening then but he preferred to go by the rules. Eventually, he came back with another resounding mandate from the people.

When it comes to commitment to protecting our Constitution too, Atal Ji stands tall. He was deeply impacted by the martyrdom of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Years later, he was a pillar of the anti-Emergency movement. In the run-up to the 1977 elections after the Emergency, he agreed to merger of his own Party (Jan Sangh) into the Janata Party. I am sure it would have been a painful decision but for him, and the others, but safeguarding the Constitution was all that mattered.

It is also noteworthy how deeply rooted Atal Ji was in Indian culture. Upon becoming India’s External Affairs Minister, he became the first Indian leader to speak in Hindi at the United Nations. This one gesture showcased his immense pride in India's heritage and identity, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

Atal Ji’s persona was magnetic and his life was enriched by his love for literature and expression. A prolific writer and poet, he used words to inspire, provoke thought, and even offer solace. His poetry, often reflective of his inner struggles and hopes for the nation, continues to resonate with people across age groups.

For so many Bharatiya Janata Party Karyakartas like me, it is our privilege that we were able to learn and interact with a person like Atal Ji. His contribution to the BJP was foundational. In those days to spearhead an alternative narrative to the dominant Congress showed his greatness. Alongside stalwarts like Shri L.K. Advani Ji and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Ji he nurtured the party from its formative years, guiding it through challenges, setbacks and triumphs. Whenever the choice came between ideology and power, he always chose the former. He was able to convince the nation that an alternative world view from the Congress was possible and such a world view could deliver.

On his 100th Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves to realising his ideals and fulfilling his vision for India. Let us strive to build an India that embodies his principles of good governance, unity, and progress. Atal Ji's unwavering belief in the potential of our nation continues to inspire us to aim higher and work harder.