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Budget `silent on pace of reforms' says envoy of Netherlands

Our Bureau

CALCUTTA, March 7

THE Budget has come in for some critical comments from the Ambassador of Netherlands to India, Mr. P.F.C. Koch, who described it as ``typical'' and ``nowhere close to the harsh Budget that was expected'' - as it did not touch how it would tackle the fisc al deficit and was ``silent'' on the issue of PSU disinvestment.

Mr. Koch told members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce here that he was disappointed with the Budget which did not talk of the speed at which the reforms process would continue, though it re-affirmed the Centre's commitment to reforms.

He felt it was imperative for the Union Government to increase its revenues, given its huge debt burden. Despite talks of cost-cutting, new departments had been created. He wondered why rich farmers had been left outside the tax bracket. He did not favou r a roll-back on subsidies for fertiliser and PDS foodgrains.

West Bengal, according to Mr. Koch, had a negative image, as a result of its perceived labour militancy.

The Netherlands was among the 10 top countries in trade with India. Bilateral trade was an estimated $ 1.2 billions, in favour of India. It was also the fourth largest investor in India, with an investment of about $ 500 millions, in the last decade, he said.

Contrary to common ``stereotyped'' perception, of Holland being a country of ``windmills, wooden shoes and tulips'', it was an industrialised nation, with its exports-imports accounting for about 3.5 per cent of global trade. He further pointed out that it was anti-protectionist.