Letter.

Letter Published in The National UAE on 4 Feb 22 India's budget focuses on long-term growth With regard to Rebecca Bundhun's piece India's growth-focused budget to boost economy as inflation rises (February 1): India’s budget delivered by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman received mixed reactions from industry leaders, political parties, particularly those in the opposition, and panelists in TV debates. The lack of agreement seemed to be one of the main outcomes of the budget. Salaried middle-class people’s tax slabs remain the same, which is both good and bad news. But it is regrettable that there won’t be a rise in bank interest rates for senior citizens this year either. As a senior citizen myself, I am sad about this apparent negligence towards pensioners. Countless retired people and pensioners have for decades contributed to the growth of the nation. That quibble apart, I applaud the thought given to the future of the country and its development across sectors. That the intention has been to make India a force to reckon with in the coming decades is laudable. K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India