The Union Budget affects almost every sector of the Indian economy, yet neither the budgetary processes nor the budget policies come under substantial public scrutiny. Do you agree? Justify your answer.

(1) Confidentiality - No views of public taken on the formulation of budget, no opinion polls or socioeconomic survey taken for each budget.

(2) Minimal Inputs from Parliament - With majority party system, 'token-cuts' or ‘changes in budget appropriation’ are not taken into account by the standing committee.

(3) lack of Impact study - Although budget narrates the financial revenue/expenditure of last FY, no study to compare what was planned & what was achieved.

(4) Post mortem diagnosis of financial prudence by organisations like CAG after the actual expenditure is incurred do not bring substantial changes.

(5) low Involvement of civil society to represent the demands of various sections.

(6) Form of presenting with numerous technicalities make the ordinary public powerless to truly comprehend the budget.

But there are instruments that involve debate & deliberations over the budget :-

1. Parliamentary discussions after the inital presentation by Finance Minister to approval of finance Bill echoe public sentiment.

2. Outcome Budget makes the budget more accountable to be in lines with public welfare.

3. Surveys of labour bureau, Consumer inflation expectation (RBI), NSSO for employ-ment & socioeconomic studies are taken into account.

4. Media involves civil society, pressure groups for effective deliberation in budget components.