Editorial

As the Budget Session of Parliament gathers momentum, national attention is firmly focused on the twin pillars of economic expansion and social welfare, with the tabling of the Economic Survey today marking a crucial milestone ahead of the Union Budget to be presented on February 1. Traditionally seen as the intellectual foundation of the Budget, the Economic Survey offers both a retrospective assessment of the economy and a forward-looking roadmap that frames fiscal priorities for the year ahead.

This year’s Budget Session unfolds against a complex backdrop. India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, yet global uncertainties—ranging from geopolitical tensions to slowing growth in key markets—continue to cast long shadows. Within Parliament, discussions so far have reflected a broad consensus on the need to sustain high growth while ensuring that its benefits are widely shared. The emphasis on economic expansion is not merely about headline GDP numbers but about creating durable engines of growth through investment, productivity gains, and employment generation.

The Economic Survey, tabled today, is expected to underline the resilience of the Indian economy, highlighting strong domestic demand, improved infrastructure spending, and steady progress in formalisation and digitalisation. At the same time, it is likely to flag structural challenges—such as job creation, skilling, and uneven regional development—that demand policy attention. By placing evidence and data at the centre of the policy discourse, the Survey serves as a reality check, anchoring political debate in economic fundamentals.

Social welfare remains the other major theme of the session. Parliament has witnessed renewed focus on the effectiveness of welfare delivery, especially in rural areas, among women, youth, and marginalised communities. The shift from entitlement-based spending to outcome-oriented programmes has been repeatedly emphasised, with lawmakers stressing the need to ensure that public expenditure translates into measurable improvements in health, education, nutrition, and livelihoods. In this context, the Budget is expected to strike a careful balance between fiscal prudence and compassionate governance.

The forthcoming Union Budget on February 1 will thus be closely scrutinised for how it reconciles these competing demands. Expectations are high for continued support to infrastructure, manufacturing, and green transitions, alongside targeted welfare interventions that protect the vulnerable without straining public finances. Tax policy, capital expenditure, and support for states will all be key markers of the government’s economic intent.

Ultimately, the Budget Session is more than a procedural exercise. It is a moment when Parliament shapes the economic narrative of the nation. The Economic Survey sets the analytical stage; the Budget will translate that analysis into action. Together, they will signal how India plans to navigate global headwinds while pursuing inclusive and sustainable growth at home.

Large parts of North India are currently in the grip of heavy snowfall and severe cold wave conditions, disrupting daily life and underscoring the growing challenges posed by extreme winter weather. From the western Himalayas to the plains of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh, the sudden intensification of cold has brought both scenic beauty and serious hardship. While meteorological agencies have forecast clearer skies in the coming days, they have also warned that temperatures are likely to drop further, prolonging the impact of the cold wave.

The immediate consequences are visible in everyday routines. Schools in several regions have been forced to alter timings or temporarily close, while early morning fog and icy winds have reduced mobility in urban and rural areas alike. In hill states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, heavy snowfall has blocked roads, stranded tourists, and cut off remote villages. Even in the plains, biting cold has pushed up demand for heating, putting pressure on electricity supply and increasing the vulnerability of those without adequate shelter.

Travel and transport have been among the worst affected sectors. Snow accumulation on mountain highways has led to frequent closures, delaying essential supplies and emergency services. Rail and air traffic across North India have faced disruptions due to low visibility and adverse weather conditions. For daily wage workers, street vendors, and those employed in informal sectors, the cold wave translates directly into lost income, exposing the fragile link between climate conditions and livelihoods.

These recurring winter extremes raise important questions about preparedness and governance. While weather warnings are now more timely and accurate, translating forecasts into effective ground-level action remains uneven. Temporary shelters for the homeless, availability of warm clothing, and access to basic healthcare often fall short of demand during prolonged cold spells. Urban planning rarely accounts for extreme cold, focusing more on heat waves, even though winter-related illnesses and fatalities remain a serious concern.

At a broader level, such episodes also invite reflection on climate variability. Though cold waves are a familiar feature of North Indian winters, their increasing intensity and unpredictability suggest shifting climatic patterns. Policymakers must therefore treat extreme cold as part of a wider climate resilience agenda, not as an isolated seasonal inconvenience.

As clearer but colder days lie ahead, the priority must be to minimise human suffering through coordinated action. Governments, local administrations, and civil society need to work in tandem to ensure that warnings translate into protection. Winter, like summer, now tests the resilience of both infrastructure and institutions—and how effectively this test is met will define the social cost of extreme weather in the years to come.

• SAS Kirmani