This refers to A K Bhattacharya’s article “The government’s fiscal fix” (August 2). A factor that we all know comes in the way of observing fiscal discipline is the political parties’ unwillingness to take unpopular decisions, whether it is curtailing subsidies or increasing fares as in the case of railways.
Also, the latest instance of Mamata Banerjee pointing out how the CPM-led government in West Bengal was allowed to borrow merrily is indicative of the fiscal mess we are in. The Centre is often helpless in checking the huge borrowings by state governments because it is also guilty of indiscipline. Therefore, ideally, all parties must come together and jointly discuss how to rein in the fiscal deficit.
Narendra M Apte, Pune
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