Important provisions in Budget 2015-16

The budget is also called the Annual Financial Statement of the government. Under Article 112 of the Indian Constitution, the finance minister of India presents the Budget in the Parliament on the last working day of February every year.

The budget documents presented to the Parliament include not only the Budget speech of the Finance minister but also the following sub items,

1. Annual financial Statement (AFS)
2. Demand for Grants (DG)
3. Appropriation bill
4. Finance Bill
5. Memorandum explaining the provisions in the finance bill
6. Macro-economic framework for the relevant financial year
7. Medium term fiscal policy statement
8. Medium term expenditure framework statement
9. Expenditure Budget
10. Receipts Budget
11. Statement of Revenue Impact of Tax Incentives under the central Tax System
12. Budget at a glance
13. Highlights of Budget  

Here I mention the very interesting fact about presenting of the Budget in the Parliament. Until the year 2000, the budget was announced at 5 PM in the evening following the colonial provision of first passing of the British Budget followed by the Indian Budget. It was government of  Atal Bihari Vajpayee who dispensed away with this colonial practice of presenting India's Budget after the British.

The Halwa tradition is observed following the Indian tradition of having something sweet before starting any important work. The staffs and officers of the Finance ministry are served Halwa and the Finance Minister also participates.

This year's budget also observed the said tradition. More importantly, this year's budget is the first full budget of the new government led by PM Narendra Modi. It was a highly anticipated budget by everyone including the industry, market and investors.

The main takeaways from this budget is as follows:

This budget had been prepared after the government had accepted the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission (FCC). And, also after the Planning Commission was dissolved, this was a major exercise in financial management of the country. The FCC has recommended to enhance states' share in net proceeds of Union Tax revenue from 32 per cent to 42 per cent. This can have two fold effects in state allocations from the centre. While share of the tax revenue will increase substantially, mainly it would affect the central allocation in state plan which is expected to reduce in a big way. Second, some centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) would be wound up or the state will be asked to finance the project if it wishes to continue it.

The ministry that is going to take a big cut include the welfare ministries and also the key social sector scheme would be cut. Panchayati Raj ministry is one big looser in this game of centre Vs state financial re-balance exercise. It is actually dramatic if we look at how progressively the budget of this ministry has been cut to size. It was given 7000 Cr only last year, but in RE it came down to 3400 Cr. But, in this year's budget that is of 2015-16, it has been allotted only 95 Cr. 

But, it should not be seen to be "Cut" as such, because, following FCC's recommendations States have been allocated this money to use it the way they want to use. So, it can be said that States will be more free to carry on the development work according to their own priorities rather than following centre's instructions in completing CSS. They can use the money according to the local needs of each state and each region.

Some of the major official schemes will be wound up. These include Backward Regions Grant Fund, the scheme for Panchayats, modernisation of police and National e-governance Plan. The states will have to take a call to continue with the schemes or not. 

For additional 24 schemes, states will now have to shoulder greater responsibility of the finances. These schemes include among many others, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (SBA), National Health Mission (NHM), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), ICDS, National AIDS & STD conrol program and Rural Housing Scheme.

Apart from that, there are 31 schemes, including MGNREGS, Mid-Day meal scheme, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and scholarship schemes will remain fully funded by the Central Government. The government has plans to implement GST and JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhar and Mobile), which is supposed to enhance the quality of life of the common man and to transfer the benefits to the common man directly.

Spending on defence increased by 9.87 per cent over last year. Its allocation reached to Rs 2,46,726 Cr. The focus will be on Make In India for quick manufacture of the defence equipments. While the spending on the subsidies has declined a bit.

Borrowings form nearly a quarter of the government's receipt. These include 24% borrowings, 20% corporation tax, 14% income tax, 9% customs, 10% Union excise duties, 9% service tax and other tax, 10% non-tax revenue and 4% non-debt capital receipt.

Gender budgeting has not been done adequately. But, since money has been allocated to states via recommendation of FCC, States will make their own gender sensitive budget.

Tax-concessions and relaxations on customs and excise duty is collectively called revenue foregone. The revenue foregone is a big amount in this budget too and it has grown upto Rs. 4.89 Lakh Cr. But, as pointed out in Economic Survey of the Government, revenue foregone is not about loss to the government as such, but it is a policy decision that government takes time to time to encourage any area of the economy to produce desired results or to stimulate a certain sector for their revival to make it export competitive and make it viable.

Wealth tax has been abolished. But, an additional 2% surcharge has been applied on the super rich whose income cross over Rs 1 Crore. 100% exemption has been given for contribution to SBM. And, service tax has been increased to 14%.   

These are some of the broad outline of this year's budget. Although, budget is an extensive document that needs more study and explanation. I hope to do it in the next post on the economy. 

Justice delayed

A man was killed and four others were injured when a Toyota Land Cruiser ran over few pavement dwellers when they were deep asleep. That was in september 2002. The case was decided this wednesday on 6th of May 2015 in a sessions court in Mumbai. It took 13 long years to decide a case of rash and negligent driving. He didn't even have a driving license when this accident took place. It is a telling story of our creaky Justice system.
As if to make fun of the poors and justice system of this society, he was even granted bail interim bail for two days. Then, as it happens in most cases involving high profile people his sentence was suspended in a blink and the Dabang star walked free. It's not as if Salman is the only man getting special treatment. There's plethora of cases corresponding to sleazy crimes of Tejpal to commercial crimes related to IPL-as was being investigated, murder of Sunanda Pushkar to Pujya Asharam ji. It seems every case is being manipulated for certain political or commercial benefit. It is commodification  of justice and crime in our society. There's a very high profile case related to National Herald's property transfer. But just notice the snail pace of justice in our country, every year we hear about these cases once or twice, and life goes on. Salman makes his movies garnering millions of rupees, Tejpal is free and Dr Tharoor still continues his politics! Okay, just understand it now cases related to National Herald, Robert Vadra land deals and Bofors were all politics and they are having nothing to do with any living or dead person in this world.

FIVE CATEGORIES

There are actually five categories of crime being committed in our society by five types of people. we can also classify them as class due to their inherent attribute and place in society. These crimes consists of and are committed by respectively, poors, middle-class, upper class celebrities, minor politicians,VIPs and businessmen, very powerful industrial magnets and business leaders, and de facto rulers and elites.

Poors

These are the most vulnerable and abused section of the society. All power is wielded in their name but they themselves are most powerless, weak and neglected part of our society. People who matter and who control the destiny of all of India always invoke the name of the poor to run massive programs but the poor has never been able to climb out of the deep and dark hole of poverty from time immemorial! Now, coming back to the point of justice, when these hapless people are caught in petty cases of food theft or anything that deserves not more than a reprimand are condemned to jail without bail and trial. It is not that they do not have the right to these services but simply is a matter of economics. That poor man cannot afford to pay for the bail and pay for the trial process to lawyers, police and various cogs in the system to oil them and get his way out to freedom and liberty. He simply remains condemned there till some human rights group or the SC intervenes to release them after many many years. There are many cases that can be quoted here. But, I encourage the readers to find it themselves.

The Middle class

The proverbial middle class is the backbone of any country. They are the most awakened, hardworking and upwardly mobile population of any society. They are also very clever and conserve energy for their betterment. They usually keep an arms length distance from the justice and police system of our society. They know this wisdom right from the colonial days that once you get into net of justice and police then God forbid, you will become the most unfortunate man in the whole village or town. Your hard earned money will vanish in no time. The land of your forefathers will be gone in a matter of few months. And he will be reduced to a beggar almost instantly. This does not mean that they do not commit crime. They commit crime but they know the trick of the trade to come out of the net of the system by oiling the bureaucracy and the justice system. This group remains vigilant but it is still very mobile and ambitious. Hence, they get caught in the system and fight it out till they regret they bout with the justice system of the society.

Upper class celebrities

They are sometimes part of the upwardly mobile middle class. When they are caught doing any wrong, then outrage starts in media and people discuss their cases threadbare. Some support them some loath them. That becomes part of the gossip circle and kitty party talking point in urban areas and metropolis. There's a talk of category like PLUs and PLTs. These acronym simply means "people like us/them". The outrage and talking point is actually about TRPs but they also talk about the bad condition of justice and police system in our country. Salman's case sadly falls in this category only. His victims are very very poor. They don't care about his jail or bail term. They just seek some help to carry on with their life. They don't care if he should go to jail, they just want some monetary help from the super star. The wife of the man killed just wishes some help so that she can raise her family and children. She just says, whatever has happened cannot be reverted back. JUSTICE IS DELAYED!

Politicians, VIPs and Businessmen

These are also kind of celebrities but they are more powerful and enjoy more state patronage and they hold sway over administration at local level and sub-national level. They enjoy life, liberty, freedom almost unfettered. They have connection to the upper level of powers that be and has a direct sway over the levers of power in regional and national capital and in media to have a discourse as per their interest. They usually pay for their services. The crimes committed by them are usually classic cases of impunity and brazenness. Manu sharma's case immediately comes to mind. Another is Tejpal, yet another is Sunanda's murder mystery.We all know how these cases shaped and reached their logical conclusion. Well, most of them are still in trial phases. JUSTICE IS DELAYED!


Industrial Magnets and Business leaders

Their crimes are usually white collared and financial in nature. By chance if they do get caught in such a situation they are helped by the police and administration to clear their names and erases out the event from the public domain. MEDIA do not cover these events or cases of criminality. We hear of some accident done by scion of Ambani clan just like Salman. But, everything was cleared within days and media maintained pin drop silence. In another case involving property dispute between Ambani brothers, no less than SC was involved in amicably resolving the dispute. It was hilarious as well as instructive. In other cases too, Radia case is very important with respect to lobbying and fixing the ministry to work for the Business houses. Recently, we hear of the industrial espionage conducted by some business houses against the government. These involved stealing government policy documents from the ministry. Some lower level officials have been arrested and investigation is still in the preliminary stage. We can't predict what will happen but remember we have no reasons to be positive either.


Rulers and elites

Cases involving upper echelons of ruling classes are just for political oneupmanship.  They are neither jailed nor worried about these trifles of system of society.They are for the general masses, they don't worry for it. They have whole system working for them. Even if they are out of power, they have levers of power working for them almost everywhere. Here cases need not be sighted, they flash in daily news and usually scams are named after them. as if they were some government program of poverty alleviation. criminal cases are impossible to file against them. Only civil cases that can be termed political are filed and political mileage is taken out of it. A very high profile case against a scion of high profile big political party was dissmissed by SC when they were in power is an apt example. Justice can't even stand in front of these powerful people.It remains a blindfolded figurine ready to be misled by smooth talking brilliant liars. Oops! I meant LAWYERS!

CONCLUSION

Idea and ideals of Justice are totally contextual, depending upon many things including sense of entitlement, connections -social and political, and influence, not withstanding any divine constitution or law of the land. Indeed, the goddess of justice can't see which way the scale is tipping and since she can't see anything with a piece of cloth over her eyes, she can be talked into believing anything by any clever and smooth talking fella! Hence, it can be said without any hesitation that Justice is not served equally to all in our society yet its ideals remain lofty and praiseworthy. 

Salman's case is just a symptom of the larger problem which clearly showcases the classic quotation-Justice delayed, is justice denied!

थक कर बैठ गए क्या भाई

थक कर बैठ गए क्या भाई ?
अब सुबह होने को आई.

जीवन तो बहता रहता है
मानव हर कुछ सहता है
सहता है पर बढ़ता है
मानव मूल्य निखरता है .

जोर लगा कर काम करो
धीरज धर कर जतन करो
और अगर कुछ पाना है
तो बिल्कुल ना घबराना है

डर के आगे जीत है
मन में कोई मनमीत है
स्वप्न लिए तुम नैनों में
रात और दिन संघर्ष करो

मेहनत करने वाले को
कुछ कर दिखलाने वाले को
डर नहीं अंधियारों से
आशा के दीपक नैनों में अग्रिम पथ प्रशश्त करे.

अंधियारों से डरों नहीं
आगे बढ़ते जाओ तुम ,
तुम भरत के कुल वंशज हो
अंधेरों से तुम डरते हो ?

थकों नहीं हटो नहीं तुम
आगे बढ़ते जाओ तुम ,
नयी सुबह होने को आई
नन्ही सब  कलियाँ मुस्काई

थक कर बैठ गए क्या भाई ?
नयी सुबह होने को आई ..

                                                             -- अतुल भास्कर 

She Sees

She sees 

She sees and she sings,
song of love, song of longing
song of belonging.

She sings sweet song of serenity and a song of hope
she can look into my soul and
whisper to my heart, to go on the way I cherish.

she is not ordinary
she is a white lily among
all sweet flower.

she can make me still
by her piercing voice
wonder do I, why do I wonder?

sweet serene sound of a cuckoo on a mango tree
fluttering her wings, She sees and
She sings sweet song of serenity

On a sunny Saturday May afternoon,
In the greens of thick mango grove, She sings,
And she sees!