Before one could raise a toast to the finance minister for providing relief in income tax, came the dampener: petrol and diesel prices became dearer by more than Rs 2.50 per litre. This was courtesy one percent rise in customs and excise duty. Soon came a series of depressing news. Some auto companies announced hike in prices of cars and two-wheelers. Airlines hinted a similar step. The FMCG companies followed suit and said almost everything else of everyday use, including tv sets, soaps and shampoos, will go up. All this because the finance minister also raised central excise by two percent across the board.

True, the finance minister had to partially role back the stimulus. True, he had to cut down deficit, which was threatening to get out of hand. Also that he needed funds to increase investment in social sector. But at a time when food inflation is touching 18 percent, is this what you expected from the budget? Does the 'aam admi' need steps to boost the inflation?