Rao, M. Govinda creator text xu| 2009 continuing ng p.77-85. The fiscal situation of the central government is worrisome. the problem is largely structural and not cyclical. Indeed, the slowdown of the economy has only partly contributed to the deterioration in 2008-09. The new government at the centre is faced with the formidable challenge of containing the worrisome fiscal deficit, while continuing to provide a stimulus necessary to revive the economy. It also has to institute a restructuring programme towards achieving fiscal consolidation in the medium term. Such a programme should draw lessons from the past and design a plan for the centre as well as the states. - Reproduced. Public finance - India Public finance Economic and Political Weekly 180718