Experts say Budget 2018 is in line with fiscal consolidation path

Divestment is expected to be much better than targeted for the first time in many years: Radhika Rao, DBS

India set its fiscal deficit target for the year starting in April at 3.3 percent of gross domestic product, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Thursday while unveiling the government's annual budget.

Most analysts had expected the 2018/19 to be set at 3.2 percent of GDP. The deficit target for the year ending in March 2018 was also revised to 3.5 percent of GDP.

ARUN SINGH, LEAD ECONOMIST, DUN & BRADSTREET, MUMBAI

"This is one of the most populist budgets. If the government means to implement all the social, rural and infrastructure expenditure plans at very small changes on the tax front, I