The Budget takes a longer-term view, lays down some key foundational themes, reassures the aspirational classes and above all, conveys to the deprived sections that here is a government that cares for them .

The very change in the timing of the Budget is historic. With this, not just the passage of the Budget but also the follow-up at the grass-roots level taking care of the nut and bolts that goes with it will be possible in a shorter time frame ensuring that impact of the reforms is delivered on the ground, sooner than later. Also, merging the railway budget with the general budget puts a colonial tradition that had lost relevance to an end but also facilitates a more integrationist approach. Again, with the planning commission becoming a thing of the past, it was but natural that the practice of artificial division between planned and non-planned expenditure is abandoned and instead new norms of capital and revenue expenditure are introduced.

Development for all

The Budget reflects Prime Minister Modi’s overarching theme of Sab Ka Sath, Sab Ka Vikas.These are: Sensitivity to the poor and commitment to their welfare, strict no to populism, greater emphasis on empowering the people by providing opportunities and strengthening implementation infrastructure

The sensitivity towards the deprived has come to the fore through some fine print. Take the example of Coach-Mitra to be provided for every passenger coach. When implemented, this would guarantee a hassle free, safe, secure travel for sleeper class as well as unreserved-coach passengers. Similarly, the Centralised Defence Travel System will ensure seamless train-travel for defence personnel, a measure long awaited. For women, apart from Mahila Sashaktikaran Kendra to be initiated in rural areas, what is most noteworthy is a renewed emphasis on women self-help groups and the women-centric changes in the present Shops and Establishments Act.

With elections round the corner, it was not difficult for the Finance Minister to give a populistic tinge to the budget provisions. But far from being populist, the Budget focuses more on reforms. Disallowing any transactions beyond Rs 3 lakh in cash, or banning political parties to accept cash donations over ₹2,000 are bold steps. Also, these measures are perfectly in tune with the overall policy of promoting digital financial transactions for greater transparency and accountability, a key objective of ‘maximum governance’.

This Govt has rightly emphasised on empowerment as against mere tokenistic entitlement.Initiating over 100 India International Skill Centres with the provision for foreign language education, or converting Health Sub-Centres into Wellness Centres, etc. or again, establishing mason training facilities are some examples.

It is not for no reason that the Govt has promised to provide piped water supply to those villages that have become Open Defecation Free. The message is ‘perform and then plead for greater reward.’ Converting all toilets in trains into bio-toilets by 2019, preparing a new and comprehensive Metro Rail Policy, experimenting with the idea of Digital-Gram villages, facilitating Head Post Offices to double up as Passport Offices are some of the key measures that underscore the importance this government attaches to both, innovation and implementation.

And lastly, Modi Government’s keenness to ensure clean, transparent administration is laudable. After the formation of an SIT on black money and enacting laws to prevent benami transactions, the government took the historic step towards demonetisation. Now, with political reforms, a campaign to clean-up politics has been taken to a different level. And once we cleanse the body politik, several floodgates for the creation of black money will be shut heralding a new era of clean polity and cleaner governance.

The writer is an MP and vice-president of the BJP

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