01273pab a2200157 454500008004000000100001700040245008400057260000900141300001300150362001100163520085900174650001101033650001901044650001801063773003401081180718b2002   xxu||||| |||| 00| 0 eng d  aKarnik, Ajit  aFiscal responsibility and Budget Management Bill: offering credible commitments  c2002  ap.251-56  a19 Jan  aIndia's fiscal scenario at the moment is about as bad as it was in 1991-92, the beginning of the economic reforms process.  For a variety of reasons, many of them in the realm of political economy, the government has been unable to reduce its expenditures and increase revenues.  A fiscal responsibility bill, of the kind being discussed currently, is meant to offer a credible commitment that the government is serious about fiscal consolidation.  By trying its own hands the government signals that it is serious about reducing deficits.  While one may disagree with the details of the bill, the broad overall thrust and the philosophy underlying it deserve to be welcomed.  Unfortunately, as this note is being written, the government is seen to be completely diluting the provisions of the bil so as to render it completely ineffective. - Reproduced.  aBudget  aPublic finance  aFiscal policy  aEconomic and Political Weekly