One of intended objectives of the Union Budget 2017-18 is to transform, energise and clean India’. Analyse the measure proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective. (15 Marks)

The 2017-18 Budget sought to combine structural transformation, investment and cleaner governance through infrastructure, inclusion, digitisation and fiscal reforms.

Transform

• Higher capital expenditure on roads, railways, housing, rural infrastructure and affordable housing finance.
• Support for agriculture, irrigation, rural employment, skill development and entrepreneurship.

Energise

• Tax measures, recapitalisation of public-sector banks and the proposed National Testing Agency aimed to revive investment, credit and human capital.
• Digital payments, electronic filing and transparent political funding strengthened formalisation.

Clean

• Action against black money through cash-transaction limits, Aadhaar-linked systems and tighter disclosure.
• Swachh Bharat, sanitation, waste management and behavioural change addressed public health.

Implementation capacity, fiscal quality, privacy safeguards and measurable outcomes determine whether budget announcements become transformation.

Keywords: public finance; Union Budget 2017-18; fiscal policy.