'I hope the FM helps farmers'

Sitaram Tewari, 39, consultant, says: "Every year I monitor the Budget to see whether the price rise and taxation is justified. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they aren't. It is an indicator of the economy's health."

"I belong to a family of farmers and, therefore, I would like to see them make good. I am not talking about the rich farmers but their poor counterparts, some of whom are driven to suicide because of exploitation of various kinds. I regret to say that the governments have proved unreliable in coming to rescue these oppressed farmers."

"In most cases, the government does not live up to its promises. That is because our politicians know that there is precious little the common man can do to challenge them."

"That is why corruption is on the rise everywhere and the culprits know that they will go scot-free. The laws have to be drastically changed so that the corrupt are made to pay and quickly at that."

"I think 95 per cent of our population does budgetary planning otherwise they know that they would come to grief."

"Chidambaram has a good reputation as finance minister. But we have to see whether his reputation stems from western perception and standards or whether he can deliver the goods to the majority of the Indian people. The real test will be if he helps the poor farmers and people. Merely putting him on a pedestal just because the westerners appreciate him will be unwise."

"As finance minister, I would risk the wrath of the wealthy to help the overwhelming majority of our people who are under great financial stress."

"That is the challenge which most of our finance ministers have shied away from."

- As told to Tara Shankar Sahay

Photograph: Vijender Tyagi

Budget 2004-05: Complete Coverage