‘This Budget will leave more money with the poor, increase purchasing power’

Steps like fertilizer subsidy, increased credit for farmers, reduction in custom duty as well as excise exemption for biofuels, abolition of fringe benefit tax and commodity transaction tax are very good steps taken by the finance minister.

‘FM has focussed on all- inclusive growth in theconfidence building Budget’

The fiscal stimulus provided by the Government in the past few months has revived the economic growth and it plans to bring back the economy to the high GDP growth rate of 9% at the earliest.

‘Infrastructure and social sector growth ranks high on the priority list ’

The Budget's over-arching priority has been on reviving growth and promoting inclusive development with a focus on stepping up investments in the infrastructure and social sectors.

‘There is something for every one in Pranabda’s Budget’

This budget came at a difficult time for the world as well as the Indian economy and soon after the government was re-elected with a clear mandate.

‘Soft loans for pharma industry should have been addressed’

Abolition of Fringe Benefit Tax is a welcome step as such a measure has been the bare need of the day. The finance minister has extended the benefit of weighted income tax deduction for R&D expenditure to all industries across.

‘This is a significant move towards sustainable growth’

The Budget can be best consolidated in one word - sustainable growth. Expectations were riding high; disinvestment was the panacea for deliverance and market reforms.

‘The Budget can be referred to as a vision document’

The Budget proposed by finance minister Pranab Mukharjee for 2009-10 can be referred as the ‘vision document’ as it focuses on rural, agrarian and social sector, which will create huge demand for goods and services for India Inc.

The key to success of Budget, however, lies in the implementation

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee would, perhaps, have felt like a star cricketer today, with expectations riding very high on his Budget speech for 2009-10.

Tax relief to individuals, should boost private consumption

The Budget for the current fiscal year is an inclusive, transparent and an honest one. Overall continuity in the allocation of public money is the focus for the finance minister.

Potential of electronics hardware industry has been recognised

The decision to maintain the current excise and custom duty levels on IT products and components reflects the commitment to growth through a stable policy regime.

The Budget is well balanced with emphasis on education, health and employment

The Budget seems to be a well balanced with emphasis on education, health and employment. The government has shown foresight by provisioning to keep the banks and insurance under public sector control under the present recessionary scenario.

It recognises contribution of the IT-BPO industry to India' s growth

The Budget recognises the contribution of the IT-BPO industry to India’s economic progress and has provided the necessary measures to boost the sector.

The Budget aims to tread 9% growth path in an inclusive manner

The Budget is good in the present circumstances. It has focused on infrastructure and agriculture, two very important sectors. Infrastructure funding has received Rs 1,00,000-crore impetus, which should help projects take off faster.

The Budget encourages urban consumer to spend more

The Budget was one of the most anticipated in recent times. At the very least, there was an expectation of an articulation of a longer term vision that went beyond the presentation of the fiscal accounts.

The banks are shying away from infrastructure funding

Some say this Budget is strong on infrastructure, but I have my reservations. IIFCL refinance for PPP projects and take-out financing is supposed to make Rs 1,00,000 crore available for infrastructure.

The high fiscal deficit of 6.2% is a cause for concern

This Budget 2009-10 must be looked at against the larger backdrop of the unprecedented global economic crisis. Finance minister had to do a fine balancing act between fiscal compulsions and the need to provide continued stimulus to the economy.

The auto sector has got nothing much from the Budget

Overall, the Budget 2009-10 looks good as it will induce investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation, education, health and social welfare. It has reached out to all sections of the economy and society.

A significant allocation to infrastructure and on highway spending

I rate Budget 2009-10 as a balanced Budget, which is high on vision and provides the roadmap of government priority in the second term. FM’s commitment to restore the growth rate to 9% is the highlight of the Budget.

A Budget that is positive for the economy is good for industry

The Union Budget 2009-10 is a positive forward looking statement of intent though it suffers under the weight of high expectations, some of it raised by the economic survey.

Setting a target of making India slum-free is a worthy objective

The Union Budget 2009-10 has obviously not been the big bang Budget that many expected it to be, particularly after the Economic Policy, which smacked of being aggressively reformist. But then, a Budget is not normally meant to be revolutionary.

Lack of clarity on disinvestment programme is a negative aspect

The major challenge of the Budget 2009 was to strike the right balance between fiscal prudence and the need to provide a major stimulus to accelerate GDP growth and enhance investors’ confidence.

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