Dr Amit Mitra, Secretary General FICCI

My initial reaction is that the corporate world is disappointed with the Budget. I was watching the reactions of leading industrialists watching the proceedings at the FICCI convention centre and they did not look very happy. There is no reduction in corporate tax which would have allowed GDP to grow at 9 to 10 per cent. Instead we have some taxes like the increase in dividend tax etc.

But on the social sector the finance minister has done very well by focusing his attention on areas like health, education, agriculture, irrigation etc. This will help in sustaining 9 per cent growth next year.

A K Purwar, Former Chairman, State Bank of India

I would rate the Budget a little above fifty fifty.

It is a very good political Budget. It is also a very inclusive Budget where the finance minister has addressed the social sector, education and agriculture. There is nothing much for the industrial sector except for couple of steps like setting up of the debt management institute in Mumbai. There is not much for the banking sector either

Sunil Alagh, Consultant, FICCI:

The Budget has nothing for the industrial sector. He has addressed social causes like

AIDS, agriculture, education, health and some other sectors. I would rate it 5 out 10.

Complete coverage: Budget 2007-08