No farewell to welfare: BJP may loosen purse strings | India News – Times of India

For years, PM Modi has taken a stand against rewdis. Even in the run-up to polls, ‘Modi ki Guarantee’, BJP’s manifesto, stayed clear of promises of assured pension for govt staff or restoration of rail concessions for seniors. This contrasted with Congress’s moves to announce annual doles of Rs 1 lakh for women and education and farm loan waivers.

Even after Tuesday’s result, which points to Modi for the first time leading a govt without an absolute majority, it is not as if there will be a U-turn.After all, Modi had refused to give free electricity as Gujarat CM. However, the reluctance to open purse strings is expected to be far less, more so because demands are going to rise from voters, NDA allies.
The approach will remain calibrated. So, BJP and its allies, while steering clear of guaranteeing MSP for farmers or reworking the formula, will be more generous in increasing the price. Besides, the Centre, which was reluctant to increase the PM-KISAN annual payout from Rs 6,000 announced five years ago, will be more open to it.

Ahead of polls, Modi govt focused on filling up vacancies in govt. That’s something that is expected to get a fillip given that jobs have been a key poll issue. The Union Budget, which is expected in mid-July, will lay out the roadmap.