This budget was supposed to be about rural distress, unemployment, raising consumption demand and garnering resources for the above. These areas have mostly been covered.

There are steps in the reform of labour laws, connectivity, housing, banking and the non-banking financial company sector, green economy and rural population. Although there was not much emphasis on livelihood mention of micro, small & medium enterprises, scheme of fund for regeneration of traditional industries, SHG loans, FPOs (farmer’s producer organisations) signalled the government’s intent.

In any country, if connectivity is good, half the job is done. It is not production but the market and the connectivity thereto which has become a problem today.

There was also an emphasis on One India One Grid which means that power shortage in the rural areas in the Northeast may be addressed. The finance minister laid stress on higher education in addition on a new education policy.

Details will tell us where the education for the masses is headed to. Health did not find too much space in the deliberations. Perhaps the earlier policies will continue. The water crisis found its place in the budget and rightfully so. A country with houses, toilets, LPGs and power but no water cannot be termed as developed.

It was surprising that there was not much mention of macro-economic development in the country when debatable statistics about unemployment and GDP growth rates abound.

Inflation has been under control and it is expected that oil prices may come down, upsetting the newly imposed Re 1 cess on petroleum products. One wonders why the government had to go for a reduction in the fiscal deficit and this is when one seeks a massive amount of funds. The finance minister stayed away from making available the increase in revenue except for disinvestment.

Although there is no mention of the Northeast, the emphasis on rural India helps the region, particularly Assam, the rural population of which is 86 per cent. However, a digital revolution is yet to make its presence felt in the region. The direct benefit transfer to touch every household will need much better connectivity and power.

The central government schemes in the Northeast have not been implemented in right earnest. This is true of almost every central government programme intended for the region. If the schemes are connected to the banks as in the case of loans to the SHGs, then the gap is substantial — meriting direct attention of the Centre.

Inland water connectivity, roads, air connectivity, a dedicated freight line and Udaan scheme are steps which can help bring the region to the mainstream of the economy. The handloom and handicraft products from the region should get a boost on account of the emphasis on clustering and geographical indicator registration.

Overall, the budget could not excite much. Farmers’ distress, unemployment problem, health and education did not get the emphasis although there were steps announced for the FDI, Start-up India, Study in India and Digital Economy. Details may perhaps clarify some of the issues raised herein. What is clear is this that government has to rely on the private sector, FDI and technology to help move the economy ahead emphasising minimum government with maximum governance.

• The writer is an economist and executive director, Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi