The write up good economics is good politics ( The Hindu dt 10/3/16) no doubt reads well and highlights the plus and minus of the budget presented by the Finance Minister for the year 2016-17. The intentions to improve the agricultural and rural sector in particular, which remained neglected for decades, with lots of incentives and inputs if acted upon seriously than to remain a mere rhetoric with upcoming elections in mind can prove to be a very good politics with good economics. The number of Institutions and agencies involved in these sectors are very many and the confusion prevailing at the grass root levels as to whom to approach and how to derive the benefits of various schemes will continue to play spoilsport and the intended beneficiaries will again be deprived of the facilities and incentives. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural development needs to be strengthened to play an effective role to coordinate the activities of Financial Institutions and Agencies of various Governments to ensure that the efforts of the Central Government to enhance the agricultural and rural output optimally and without loss of time and money. The need to put in Technology in all the segments of production, storage, transportation and marketing is paramount to rescue the farmers from exploitation, wastage and help distribution of the intended incentives and inputs to all deserving cases. The Insurance of farmers and their products play a vital role and the Government’s supervision in this area can definitely give a morale boost .Recognition of farmer’s problems has been visible in this budget and the readiness of the Government to help them by all means sends a strong signal which should definitely help enhance the income of the farmers and rural people if not double their income in five years.
Dr T V Gopalakrishnan
No comments:
Post a Comment