Budget 2012: Rising population and income drive farm growth

Budget 2012 may see Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee attempt to nudge entrepreneurs to invest more by unveiling major investor-friendly policies. Will the Finance Minister announce easing of norms governing foreign investment in infrastructure, aviation?

Click here to visit our budget page

Policymakers have begun talks on raising indirect taxes and withdrawing the last remnants of the 2008 stimulus, as the government comes under fire for not tackling the rising fiscal deficit.

The fiscal stimulus measures had pushed the deficit to a 16-year high of 6.8% in 2009-10. The government managed to bring it down to 4.7% in 2010-11, following the over Rs 1 lakh crore bonanza from 3G and broadband auctions. But the government will miss its 4.6% fiscal deficit target in 2011-12.

Rising population and income drive farm growth while inadequate funds, restricted market access play spoilsport.