Intent positive, delivery suspect: Ravi Uppal

The corporate and manufacturing sectors are somewhat disappointed that corporate tax rates, MAT and dividend distribution tax have not been cut. However the budgetary proposals, with a marked shift in focus towards the rural sector will, in the long run, bring much larger return for the national economy as it will help reduce the rural-urban divide.

Increased incomes and modernisation of practices in the farm and rural industrial sector will have a huge positive impact. The government's intent to electrify all villages, provide easy access to credit, crop insurance schemes, digital education and better connectivity with urban ecosystem is absolutely well placed.

The government seems to have continued with several welfare schemes that were announced in the last Budget but, it is not known how much progress the schemes have achieved in the previous year. It would be good if the government or any accredited agency brings out a progress report on the previous year's budgetary proposals. The present Budget, if implemented with the right intent may well prove to be a great one for the common man.

Ravi Uppal
MD & Group CEO, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd