'Outstanding'

Overview
Outstanding. Thebudget provides potential for achieving 8-10 per cent economic growth and emphasishas been laid on the farming community, rural health, education and infrastructure development.It is a pro-common man budget and will help the country to move towards a higher growthpath. The budget provisions are in line with commitments made in the National Common MinimiumProgramme.

Farmers and Aam Aadmi
Strong emphasis has been laid to help farmers. Short term credit upto Rs 3 lakh would be given to peasants at 7 per cent per annum. Effort has also been made in the budget to reduce the pressure on the middle class by not raising the tax structure.There will be relief for "aam aadmi" (common man), strong emphasis has particularly been laid on the farming community.This would particularly give relief to those farmers facing problems on account of debts and would be helpful to important sectors like textiles.

Delivery: Preventing Leakages
The government had taken safeguards in this regard and the Right to Information Act would help in this direction. A large amount of social sector spending would be done through Panchayati Rajinstitutions. If PRIs function properly it would help check such leakage. 

Flgship Programmes and Funding
The Budget has provided funds for social sector, including the government's flagship programme BharatNirman, besides Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and National Rural Mission.

The Budget will provide unprecedented opportunities in the major sector and would provide funding to core areas for which money may not come through the market borrowings route.We will use public finances in sectors like rural development, infrastructure andeducation.

Defence
The hike in the defence budget by Rs 6,000 crore to Rs 89,000 crore will meetthe country's security and defence requirements.

FBT: When asked why the Fringe Benefit Tax was not withdrawndespite demands from various quarters, the PM was evasive: 'Leave something fora later day'.