There is no substitute for evidence-based public policy. Incorrect narratives can often confound public spending and create a feel good factor that may not reflect true human wellbeing at the bottom of the pyramid. There is a very good reason to keep fiscal deficits under check; it is equally important to see the current quality of spending and some of the missing gaps in resource provision, based on the evidence at hand. While India’s current macro indicators rightly give confidence to retail investors, central bank, rating and investing agencies and multi- lateral institutions, it is equally important to see some

       Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper

       Also Read

       India's fiscal deficit between Apr-Oct 45% of FY24 target of Rs 17.87 trn

       India's fiscal deficit rises to Rs 6.42 trillion, 36% of FY24 target

       Fiscal deficit for Apr-Nov narrows to 50.7% at Rs 9.07 trillion: Govt

       Credit card spending in India rises to Rs 1.78 trn in Oct, sets record

       India's fiscal deficit for Q1 reaches 25.3% of annual target: Govt data

       Crowdsourcing: A sign of digital democracy in action

       Rural India's Budget expectations

       Operating at scale

       Macro balancing act in 2024

       Quite a hell of a ride