MY BUDGET: Prasoon Joshi

What do you think of the Budget?
Overall, I think the Budget has the right intentions and attempts to push things towards a strengthened economy.

What were your expectations?
From a citizen’s point of view, an emphasis on sectors like infrastructure and rural development, on issues like divestment and addressing the fiscal deficit. And from a personal and general point of view, rising inflation.

Have these expectations been met?
Personally, the reduction in income tax surcharge, and from a corporate perspective, the move not to increase service tax, are a big relief. The target outlays for infrastructure, divestment and fiscal management do seem challenging. Let’s see how well it pans out.

Any particular concern?
The impact of the fuel price increase is bound to be felt across segments.

How has the Budget affected you personally?
In my kind of business, I tend to see things from a demand generation perspective. By giving income tax relief and increasing planned expansions for rural India , I see enough being done for demand generation and I am happy about that.

Prasoon Joshi, executive chairman, mccann erickson