'Chidambaram is an average FM'

Pankaj P Ghosal runs a library in Khar, a Mumbai suburb.

He says that the Budget is important as it is a statement of the government's intentions for the year, but has no expectations from the Budget.

He says P Chidamabram is 'an average finance minister' and says that the government never keeps its Budget promises. "They (the government) will say that there is a revenue shortfall due to something or the other. Why can't they have realistic expectations of revenue?" says Pankaj.

If he were the finance minister, the middle class would be the biggest beneficiary as he would concentrate on the middle class only. Why? "Because the government will look after the poor and the rich look after themselves."

- As told to A Ganesh Nadar

Photograph: A Ganesh Nadar

Budget 2004-05: Complete Coverage