Good luck, Finance Minister!

With recessionary conditions, a glut in the market, fewer takers for industrial and white goods, and even less demand for farm commodities, the Finance Minister is a much harried man. Forced to keep both the fiscal deficit and the rate of inflation within strict limits, and increase investment in infrastructure areas, Mr Sinha needs to turn unpleasant to chart a way out of the crisis. Will he dare to?

AS 'B-day' approaches and the Finance Minister starts packing his briefcase preparatory to the presentation of the 2002-03 Budget, no doubt he is a harried person. Mr Yashwant Sinha needs all the good wishes and sympathies that may be offered.

The recession has set in. There is a glut in the market. There is little demand even for agricultural commodities. Industrial …