Disappointing budget

Sir, - The budget for 2001-02 is anti-poor, pro- multinational and rudderless. It reflects the Government's half-baked thinking on economic issues and has failed to meet the challenges confronting the economy in the wake of declining growth rate, static agricultural production, galloping inflation and sluggish industrial output. It lacks a clear strategy for reviving economic growth and ending investment famine.

Instead of unveiling a grand design for revival, the country got a patchwork of measures and initiatives. The Government has failed to go the whole hog in raising duties on imports to protect the domestic farm sector. Its proposals are bound to destroy self-reliance and food security.

M. Hashim Kidwai,

New Delhi

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