No Transparency in Union Budget

The least that one can expect from a transparent democracy is clarity about the facts of fundamental issues. Unfortunately, a clear picture is not yet available on such a crucial issue as the budgetary allocations for 2015–16, even though we are now on the verge of the next annual budget for 2016–17. While a drastic reduction in the allocations for social sector (including schemes meant for weaker sections) has been widely criticised by many economists, social organisations, opposition leaders, and even by a minister in the union government, the union finance ministry continues to deny that there have been cuts.

This was also conveyed to the representatives of several social organisations who were invited for pre-budget consultations by the Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, on 12 January. However, these representatives stuck to their position, demanding a significant increase in social sector allocations.