NEW DELHI, Feb. 5 -- In her shortest speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid out the outline for the fiscal year 2024-25 during her presentation of the interim budget: "We need to focus on four major castes: 'Garib' (Poor), 'Mahilayen' (Women), 'Yuva' (Youth), and 'Annadata' (Farmer). Their needs, aspirations, and welfare are our highest priority. The country progresses when they progress. All four require and receive government support in their quest to better their lives."

The words would have sounded magical for people who form the "vote bank" of the ruling party. Moreover, the budget speech came across as a vision statement for the next 25 years, popularly called the Amrit Kaal, leading to a Viksit Bharat. More than the budg...