Apropos the article ‘Budget making amidst slowdown concerns (Business Line dated March 6), it is true that the global slowdown has adversely impacted India's growth rate. However, a fiscal stimulus in an emerging market can only serve its purpose if the funds are deployed to fund capital expenditure in tune with overall Plan priorities, and not frittered away towards populist ends.
The fiscal deficit in such a scenario can boost the effective demand for goods and services, thereby partially neutralising the impact of global recession. Monetary policy can address inflationary forces by aligning credit allocation with growth needs. Goutam Chakrabarti
Kolkata
March 8 is Women's Day. The fact is that women understand and analyse men's feelings and requirements quite correctly, and take timely decisions in a variety of situations — be it business, profession, politics or at home. Men, however, cannot accept this.
Mahesh Kapasi