|
 February
28th, 2001, saw Yashwant Sinha, the Finance
Minister of India, present his fourth budget. And
the whole nation listened with bated breath. Second
generation economic reforms were introduced nearly
a decade after the revolutionary economic reforms
of 1991. After the pre-budget opinion polls, Financial
Analysts went into a frenzy studying the budget -
is it really what India needs? Can it help revive
the flailing economy?
The budget has dealt with issues such as accelerating
the privitisation process of the Public Sector Undertakings
(PSUs), infrastructure, rationalisation of subsidies
and control of non-productive expenses. And despite
the questions and doubts that hang in the air, the
Gujarat earthquake, and the recession that has hit
the American economy, the consensus is that the budget
has managed to address core, important issues. No
mean feat. The Finance Minister can be appluaded for
having walked the tight rope of the budget successfully.
Now what is to be seen is how well all the reforms
are implemented.
Yashwant Sinha
...Was born at Patna, the capital city of Bihar,
India on 6th November, 1937.
Education
...School and University was at Patna. Obtained his
Masters Degree in Political Science in 1958.
Professional life
...Taught Political Science in the Patna University
from 1958 to 1960. Joined the Indian Administrative
Service in 1960. Served for 24 years. Joined active
politics as a member of the Janata Party after resigning
from the Indian Administrative Service in 1984. All-India
General Secretary of the party in 1986. Was elected
Member of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of the
Indian Parliament) in 1988. When the Janata Dal was
formed (1989), appointed as the General Secretary
of the party. Minister of Finance from November, 1990
to June 1991 in Chandra Shekhar's Cabinet. He became
the National Spokesperson of the BJP in June, 1996.
He was appointed Finance Minister of India in March,
1998.
Constituency
...He represents Hazaribagh Constituency in Jharkhand,
in the Lok Sabha.
Gossip
...As collector in an obscure district in Bihar -
when up against the usual arm-twisting tactic of a
minister, with threatens of a transfer - refused to
toe in. And here was born his most famous quote: "Even
if you transfer me, I shall remain a civil servant.
But you are at the mercy of the electorate
who can overthrow you anytime.''
Family
...Married to Nilima. They have 3 children, two sons
and a daughter.
Interests
...Has a wide range of interests including reading,
gardening and meeting people.
Wants to be remembered as
...Yashwant Sinha.
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2:04:48 AM 
