Letters: PM's imprint expected

With reference to A K Bhattacharya's column, "The influences on the Budget" (March 7), the Economic Survey is a curtain-raiser of sorts to the Budget and provides an insight into the government's stand on a wide range of issues. If some of its pointers are reflected in the Budget, it is only to be expected, as the chief economic advisor, who writes the Survey, is very much part of the finance ministry and not an independent regulator like the governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

Likewise, if the Budget bears the imprint of the prime minister, that too is only to be expected. If that has invited comment at all, it is probably because Narendra Modi (pictured) is not credited with any expertise in economic matters. But the notion that economic ideas are the exclusive preserve of trained economists is false, more so in the case of a prime minister who can pick the best brains available on any subject.

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Nevertheless, Modi's public proclamation about his close involvement with Budget-making is unprecedented, and only puts needless pressure on him.

Parthasarathy Chaganty, Mumbai

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