How interim Budget became a potent tool in the hands of poll-bound govts

Former Lok Sabha Secretary-General PDT Achary says it is not appropriate for a government facing elections to announce programmes and policy changes for the next year

Speculation is rife about an increase in the amount allotted under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) and an expansion of the scheme. The change is rumoured to be coming in the interim Budget on February 1. This shows how the nature of the interim Budget has changed in the hands of successive poll-bound governments this century.

The interim Budget is also called the vote on account in common parlance. However, a vote on account contains just the government’s expenses, whereas an interim Budget deals with receipts and payments. A vote on account is valid for two months, while an