Comprehensive Action Taken Report On Union Budget Proposals, Promises, Is Need Of The Hour

The annual Union and State Budgets shape India's economic and social future, but are they truly fulfilling their objectives? The article explores the need for greater accountability, transparency, and public discourse in evaluating budgetary outcomes. From equitable resource allocation to healthcare reforms, it argues that budgets must go beyond grand announcements and be assessed through concrete actions and impact analysis

Given the federal structure of our republic, the central and state governments have their annual budgets to collectively drive the country's all-around economic growth, thereby improving the people’s ease of living. This is also the most talked about and debated document, and hence, needs to be taken seriously by all.

The budget also tells us about the government’s roadmap for the people’s socio-economic and educational empowerment in general and that of the poor. It also apprises us of certain ground realities. It regulates the financial flow, maintaining stability and preventing economic droughts such as deficits and recessions. Like a river channeling water to different regions, the budget directs funds where they are most needed, ensuring balanced progress across all sections of society. A transparent and strategic budget fosters trust, encourages investments, and strengthens the foundation of the economy, just as clean water supports a healthy and thriving ecosystem. The budget, therefore, is a vital component of governance.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Central government's Budget for the year 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha on February 1, 2025. It was hailed by the leaders of the ruling dispensation and was riled by their opponents. Such things happened in the past too and will happen in the future as well. It is so routine, and yet liked and loved by all. The industrial bodies, too, welcome every budget. By the way, the private sector never airs their dissent vigorously in policy matters.

According to the Union government, the Budget 2025-26 is aimed at expediting the pace of building an inclusive Viksit Bharat by 2047. One can safely presume that every Budget from now onwards will be dedicated to the goal of making India a developed nation by the year when we celebrate the centenary of our Independence. Whether the cherished goal is achieved or not will be known only in 2047. Till then, there will be no dearth of discussions, claims, and counterclaims from different social groups and political hues.

As a natural phenomenon, many facts and figures also crop up in the wake of tabling of the Budget - Union or State. There is nothing great about these facts but certainly, such realistic details serve as a food for thought for policy makers and critics if taken in the right spirit. However, one wonders how many important people do not know the writings on the wall. One rarely comes across many such people who speak the whole truth. It is an unfortunate situation but nobody bothers. How often do we engage in meaningful discussions about the actual impact of affirmative measures and welfare schemes in place? Do we critically evaluate whether these initiatives are achieving their intended targeted outcomes, especially in terms of uplifting marginalized communities and bridging socioeconomic disparities?

More importantly, how frequently do we reflect on the fundamental need for equity - ensuring that national income, opportunities, resources, facilities, and privileges are distributed fairly and proportionally among all sections of society, based on their population and socio-economic standing?

Unfortunately, such discussions fall in the category of the rarest of rare. While policies are formulated with noble intentions, there is often little public discourse on their effectiveness, implementation gaps, and whether they truly serve the needs of those they are designed to help. This lack of engagement highlights the necessity of fostering greater awareness and accountability, encouraging informed debates, and pushing for reforms that lead to genuine, measurable progress toward an equitable society. Budget after Budget has been an integral part of our evolution since 1947 as a free nation, a process that will continue in the future as well with usual fervour and enthusiasm. That is something that we can take for granted.

My worry, however, lies in our hesitation or inability to discuss the outcome of the last budget before deciding and discussing the new one. The Union Budget or the State Budget, let the people know what has been done to achieve the promises made in the previous annual document.

It is undeniable that not every announcement or policy outlined in the Union or State Budget can be fully realized within a year, nor are all initiatives designed to be completed within such a short timeframe. However, what is crucial is transparency in governance, ensuring that the public remains informed about the progress of these commitments. The intent and efforts of the implementing agencies or authorities should be communicated to the people by presenting a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR) on the floor of the House. Such a report would serve as a vital accountability mechanism, allowing citizens and stakeholders to assess the effectiveness of policy implementation, track milestones, and understand any challenges faced in execution. This is not an unreasonable or overly ambitious expectation but rather a fundamental aspect of good governance. It demands honesty, commitment, and a strong sense of responsibility from those in power to uphold the trust of the people.

I don't know if such an exercise is done in any democratic setup in the world, but we need to do this without any ifs and buts if we really want to see our country develop by charting the course of equality, justice, fraternity, liberty, inclusivity, responsibility, and honesty. Lofty ideas, speeches, discussions, and deliberations won't take us anywhere except allowing us to continue floating as a nation if we are not aligned with the ground realities and lurking challenges. How often do our Health Ministers, Health Secretaries, and other top authorities visit hospitals, outpatient departments (OPDs), emergency wards, or pharmacies to assess the real conditions on the ground? The unfortunate reality is that rarely. And if they do, it is usually limited to ceremonial visits rather than meaningful inspections.

In an ideal scenario, they should regularly visit different hospitals, at least once a week, to monitor healthcare services, interact with patients, address staff concerns, and ensure that medical facilities are functioning efficiently. These visits would not only boost accountability but also help in identifying gaps in healthcare infrastructure, improving patient care, and preventing negligence.

However, the harsh truth is that such proactive engagement rarely happens. The absence of a robust accountability framework allows inefficiencies and poor service quality to persist. Patients continue to suffer due to overburdened hospitals, staff shortages, inadequate medicines, and delayed treatments, while decision-makers remain disconnected from ground realities. It is indeed agonizing to witness this state of affairs even after so many decades of independence but the bigger question remains - Who cares? Until there is a strong system of accountability and monitoring, the healthcare sector will continue to struggle, and the common people will continue to suffer from the brunt of collective indifference. The rot goes beyond a particular sector. It is all pervasive but must not be left unattended for long. It will lead to deeper systemic failures, economic downturns, and a loss of public trust. Proactive governance, transparency, and collective responsibility will help us prevent all-encompassing rot from weakening the foundation of our inclusive progress.

(The writer is a senior journalist, author and columnist. The views expressed are strictly his personal.)