State budgets | Doles and tolls

The three case research of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala cowl current occasions that go away many questions for the longer term

ISSUE DATE: Feb 27, 2023 | UPDATED: Feb 17, 2023 20:26 IST

Illustration by Siddhant Jumde

Elections can carry on peculiar behavioural modifications even in probably the most fiscally prudent politician. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, dominated by bitterly opposed events just like the Congress and BJP, could possibly be mirror photos of one another in how its chief ministers have rolled out what may rely as lavish reward vouchers. Ashok Gehlot and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, each a troublesome re-election marketing campaign, haven’t been averse to erring deeply on the aspect of profligacy with welfare schemes—although Gehlot, within the final finances of his third tenure, has managed to mission a fiscal deficit of three.98 per cent, underneath the mandated 4 per cent, whereas Shivraj is tempting destiny at 4.56 per cent even forward of his finances. Pinarayi Vijayan’s Left Front authorities in Kerala, in the meantime, is struggling to stave off criticism of saddling a wealthy state with poor public funds. The three case research, over the following 5 pages, cowl current occasions that go away many questions for the longer term.

Published By:

Arindam Mukherjee

Published On:

Feb 17, 2023