Kamalnath speaking in the NDTV program on Budget was indeed candid. In reply to a question by Pranay Roy, he stated without the slightest hesitation that the objective of the present budget was to shift the development of the country to the private sector unlike the 1970s when the onus was on the Public sector to push the economic development. The Nehruvian era is finally over!
But the issue is not one of just making political statements. Hard money is required to be transferred to the private kitty and the finance minister as well as the railway minister does this job remarkably well. Disinvestments, reduction of farmers subsidy, massive investment in infrastructural development (20km of highway per day!), increase in NREG to upset the land-loss of the rural poor due to industrial SEZ and reduction of tax rates in different income slabs to increase the purchase power of the urban middle class are all green signals for the private sector.
The Finance Minister has targeted Gross tax receipts of Rs. 7.46 Lac Crores. To achieve this target the Finance Minister plans to get a net revenue from direct tax proposals to the tune of Rs 20,500 Cr and indirect taxes Rs 46,500 Cr. No tax on Income up to Rs 1.6 lacs. . 30% tax on income above Rs 8 lacs. 20% tax on income between Rs5 lacs to 8 lacs. 10% tax on income between Rs1.6 lacs to 5 lacs. Finally increase in petrol and diesel price to reduce the deficit. Defence Capital Expenditure raised to Rs 60000 Cr. Allocation fund to defence raised to Rs 1.47 lac Cr.
It won't be long before defense production is shifted to the private sector as well. All is well for the Tata Ambanis and hell with the aam admi!
Rape, Murder and Dowry Death in Gujarat
Gujarat has been set as a standard for development. Whenever Narendra Modi is called to other states to campaign for BJP in any election, he never forgets to announce the great heights achieved by Gujarat. He never forgets to boast how safe women are in Gujarat. The figures of crime against women recorded in Police-register are an eye-opener.
Two activists had sought information under right to information act in October 2007, about crime against women during the years 2002-2007.Additional DIG, crime and railways, Gandhinagar refused to part with information. Finally an appeal was filed to chief commissioner, Gujarat. After two years of persuasion following information was obtained.
The following statistics are devastating. It proves that women are most unsafe in 'Swarnim' Gujarat and this insecurity is increasing with time! A Century after the first International Womens' Day, there is indeed nothing to celebrate for.
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