MY budget: Neville Tuli

BUDGET & MONEY

What do you think of the Budget this year?

With the farmers' debt waiver, the income-tax slab cuts, an increase in the educational budget and mid-day meals, this year's Budget obviously has an eye on the forthcoming elections, a degree of compassion while recognising the slight slowdown in growth and checking inflation.

Did you expect anything from the Budget? And have they been met?

My expectations have always been let down. Till date, no Budget has dared to systematically tackle one of India's greatest areas of negligence and underutilisation "" our vast artistic and cultural heritage and asset base that still mostly lies in dereliction, not playing any significant role in the development of the nation.

Will this Budget have any impact on the art world?

It seems that the financial dimension and responsibilities of the art and cultural world in India for playing a key developmental role are still not fully grasped by the government machinery in this country. I suppose then, the way out would be that we, in the private sector, must help show the way for a deeper public-private dialogue in the field.