Budget
Cruellest month?
Of all months, February has got its own significance because it is during this month that the Railway/Union Budgets are presented.

Politics
Poor politics
Uncertainty is gripping the political arena at the national level. In the process of keeping the family-hold intact on the party affairs, the Congress(I) is losing its basis in many parts of the country. Its Uttar Pradesh unit is on the verge o f one more split. The followers of the late Jitendra Prasada, who challenged the unique and unquestionable leadership of the Congress, are drifting to different political parties.

Downsizing the government
The remarks in the Economic Survey presented to the Lok Sabha on downsizing the government, making a distinction between departmental undertakings and the rest, seems intended to mollycoddle the babus in the secretariat. At least, the f ormer have some claims to provision of products and services to the society, while the latter really scrounge on it.

Transport
Rail fare hike
The all-party meeting called upon by the Railway Minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on February 9, decided in favour of opposing the rail fare hike, hinted at by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a few days earlier. This is, indeed, justified, considering that the hike, especially for second-class and monthly season tickets, would hit the common man directly.

Page One | Index | Home