A token change only

The Vajpayee Government had first changed the British era practice of presenting the annual budget at five in the afternoon on the last working day in February. The time in late afternoon was set by the colonial masters to synchronise the presentation of the annual balance-sheet of the `jewel in the crown’ with its presentation in the House of Commons. Now, the Finance Minister presents the budget in the Lok Sabha at 11 am, a far more convenient time for everyone involved. The Modi Government is now considering to move forward the date of presentation by a month. It is said that the annual budget early in January will ensure that it is fully done with the parliamentary process and there would be no need for a vote-on-account to tide over six-odd weeks before the budget proper is passed usually sometime in May. But presenting the budget, say, on the last working day of January would mean that virtually a quarter of the on-going financial year would remain unaccounted for in its tabulation. There are a number of other pros and cons in advancing the budget presentation, but, in practical terms we see no real gains. It is because both the estimates and actuals will remain incomplete whether it is presented in Februaryend or January-end. Indeed, a better case can be made for ensuring a thorough legislative examination of the budget. Whatever time of the year it is presented, our MPs skim over its provisions, reserving their interventions only to score political points or to advance sectional interests. Professional expertise is missing in our parliamentary practice to vet thoroughly the budget and other such important legislative measures. Unlike other democracies, a vast majority of our MPs do not rely on expert assistance and well-respected think tanks.