And he has done it again by presenting an interim budget for Bharat that people feared would be meant for the upper class elite. Yes, this is a popular, pre-election mode budget, to be implemented by the next government.

But if people are benefited and a vision is made clear, what’s the problem? The seventh budget of the NDA government has put its supporters and friends on the seventh cloud.

We have never had it this good. My nephew, a small farmer, who could never dream of going beyond Haridwar on Baisakhi or the farthest destination being Vaishno Devi, this time booked tickets for the Aish-in-Malaysia offer. Forex reserves are touching an all-time high, value of rupee has appreciated, inflation is under control and a simple rural folk is now looking beyond the realm of his father’s limitations.

With all this already there, Jaswant’s budget comes as a Santa Claus magic. He has taken care of almost all the sections and the vision we have for the next two decades. Entrepreneurial growth, IT and more importantly its hardware sector, government employees and other organised sector, SSIs and the agricultural sector. Not just Garib ke pet mein dana aur grihini ki tukia mein anna, the most exciting thing is about the GDP growth rate, a visionary allocation for the IT sector and accelerated drinking water supply scheme.

Besides funds for Agriculture Infrastructure Credit, Small and Medium Enterprise, and Industrial Infrastructure give a ray of hope for strengthening the manufacturing sector.

Similarly, for us ‘hawks’ the establishment of a Rs 25,000 crore non-lapsable defence modernisation fund has given reasons to smile as many important defence projects had suffered in its absence.

A 12 % defence budget is fine and reassuring in the face of friendship talks. And look how he broke new ground in the growth sector! Outlay for power, roads and highways go up by Rs 3,000 crore each and for health, HRD, Agriculture, and shipping by Rs 1,000 crore each.

Laghu Udyami Credit Card limit raised five-fold, stamp duty rates halved, two crore BPL families given benefit of Antyodya Anna Yojana. That the government has given major share of central plan outlay to power, highways and the shipping sector shows its serious about the infrastructure.

India seems to be on an un-stoppable march of destiny which seers like those that Sri Aurobindo had prophesied decades ago. Six states are getting one AIIMS each. There already was a move to set up six AIIMS-level medical centres. Now, to add to that, there is a move to upgrade one medical centre in the states of AP, J&K, Jharkhand, TN, UP and WB to the level of AIIMS. This would really help alleviate the miseries of common man to a great extent, who currently has to come all the way to Delhi, often only to be turned back due to paucity of space at AIIMS, Delhi.

The department of atomic energy has got a hike of more than Rs 1,000 crore this year. Island territories and desert areas have received special attention and development of desert areas has entered in the priority zone. Jaswant’s commitment to lifetime concerns is romantic and to enhanced employment, and eradication of poverty; a second green revolution in agriculture; infrastructure development; fiscal consolidation; and greater manufacturing sector efficiency is an effort to impress in a big way, but if it brings yawns, we are not to be blamed.

What also impressed me was a scheme to revitalise the cooperative credit structure, envisaging an outlay of about Rs 15,000 crore, to be shared between the central and state governments.

Government employees are happy, and this gives me hurricanes in the stomach. Will they work better? Will my mother be able to deposit her monthly electricity bills without hassles? With no plan to make government officials accountable this clearly is a maska to those who are not otherwise known for the work they are supposed to do for an earning. The train minister, sorry, Nitish who till recently was branded as minister for accidents, has also provided a cute, sweet budget which, of all the dreams , promises to give us tickets on the Internet and provide Rajdhani-like speed to the garib log also.

Public sector banks will increase the credit limit of their cards, for borrowers who have a satisfactory track record, from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Banks are being advised to make the modified scheme operational The Indira Gandhi canal project will be accelerated through a fresh Centre-state initiative, including additional innovative funding. The ministry of finance will work with the government of Rajasthan for an extension of the Narmada Canal into Rajasthan. Wow!! This is really dear Jaswant’s gift to his home state but for a greater benefit. We must trust him when he speaks about his five commitments — “Our adherence to ‘Panch priorities’ remains. The objectives of the life-time concerns of our citizens: enhanced employment, and eradication of poverty; a second green revolution in agriculture; infrastructure development; fiscal consolidation; and greater manufacturing sector efficiency, are our solemn commitments.”

Investments in the rural sector, especially focusing the tribal belt, has been extraordinary. Kisan credit cards will change the shape of farming and MNCs would bless this government for not being taxed on their BPO transactions. Government expenditure has been increased indicating the previous expenses have positively added to the economy.

What can be the basic purpose of a government and her budget? To create an atmosphere for growth and opportunities thereby generating hope for the future. That’s exactly what Jaswant’s budget has done. Ultimately, one must say that the present Indian economy has weathered post-Pokhran sanctions, drought, Gujarat earthquake, border stand-off, Gulf War, oil prices uncertainty and global slowdown. And if despite all that, the economy still shows such figures, it may really be shining, and Mungeri Lal may actually see his dreams being realised.

The author is Editor of Panchjanya