The promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since before his election in 2014, seems to be getting pushed further and further into the future. The Central government’s budget promises of ‘Amrit Kaal’ over the next 25 years sounds just as hollow considering the current economic plight of the common Indian. The 'Amrit Kaal’ promise suggests it will only come after the current ‘Kali kaal’ (Kalyug or dark age) passes. The central government is outlining a plan for the next 25 years at a time when the country requires urgent measures. The government seems to believe that the public can be asked to wait patiently until 'Amrit Kaal' dawns. This Union Budget had been brought to woo the public with new promises and several old announcements had been forgotten. After six years of rhetoric, the slogan of doubling farmers’ incomes has expectedly and conveniently been forgotten. It has not seriously considered the economic contribution of tourism or industry. This budget has no vision for employment generation. People had high expectations from the budget especially during the Covid pandemic, but it was a huge disappointment. The poor got subsidy, the rich got a rebate, the middle class can only see TV and debate.
K G Vilop, Chorao
