Budget 2017: Some balm in store for nation after the demonetisation pain?

Taxpayers will be eager for some sops to relieve the strain caused by note ban

The task of the finance minister (FM) is not an enviable one as he gets ready to present the Union Budget on February 1. After the hardships that people went through in the wake of demonetisation, every section of society will be eager for sops.

First, consider the broad contours of the landscape under which Finance Minister Arun Jaitley  has to present the Budget. There is no immediate positive impact of demonetisation on the precarious fiscal deficit as yet. Government expenditure has to increase to boost economic growth. The FM might have to announce more steps to fulfil Prime Minister