Smoke And Mirrors
Perception
- It focuses on pro-poor, rural-centric; will put more money in the hands of farmers/labour and boost rural growth
- There is more emphasis on social development with plans for more schools, higher education, affordable medicines and healthcare
- Issues of manufacturing, falling exports, job creation being tackled
- Clarity on retrospective taxation should ease concerns by investors, spur investment
- Some structural reforms are around the corner, such as Bankruptcy Bill, stake sales, RBI recast
- With tax slabs largely untouched, middle class has been by and large protected