Budget deficit target is doable, increased capex is a positive & it takes a realistic, if political, view of disinvestment. But protectionism, rising debts, slashed subsidies are problems.
Changes to corporation tax rates by Modi govt were to be revenue-neutral. But are they really? If not, finance minister should take a good look at which tax exemptions to target.
Govt debt is nearing 90% of GDP while its share of economic pie hasn’t grown in past 10 years, so big outlays for programmes in Budget will only mean something else has to be cut.
Finance ministry is yet to finalise modalities to seek approval in Parliament for the sale, which leaves little time for the process to be completed this year.
Tax revenues declined 22 per cent from the year-ago period to Rs 4.58 lakh crore and were at 28 per cent of the full year target of Rs 16.36 lakh crore in the April-September period.
Govt will raise an extra Rs 1.1 trillion via sales of three- and five-year bonds. The announcement comes just a week after RBI managed to damp tension with bond traders.
Fuel consumption probably declined at least 80% in April, which would lead to a revenue loss of as much as Rs 400 billion, said economist Madan Sabnavis.
A LocalCircles poll found that 70% of respondents felt their monthly household budget increased by 10% while 55% expected expenses to go up by another 10% in the next 3 months.
In February 2019, 72,400 SiG 716 rifles of 7.62 x 51mm calibre were contracted from SIG Sauer Inc, USA, under government's 'Buy (Global) category', through fast track procedure.
Like the car, nothing the party has done to reinvent itself has worked. Only way forward is to offer something looking towards the future, not in image of glorious past.