CNBC Awaaz produces budget series

As the government presents its interim budget to parliament in these economically turbulent times, and with the general elections around the corner, Hindi TV news channel CNBC Awaaz has come up with a series of programmes to analyse how the UPA government has performed in its last year.The programmes are geared to help viewers understand the interim budget better. The channel has focused on adding value to the viewer experience and building interactivity on India's most important economic event of the year.

 Some of the programmes:
Kaisa Raha Yeh Saal Aur Poora UPA Regime, in which The panel discussion included representatives of the government, the opposition and independent experts . The show revisited the government's promises, its successes, its failures, and its plans if re-elected.

What say Minister?, an interview-based show with ex-finance ministers, likely finance ministers in the next government, and financial experts, about the economic decisions, the looming election in the backdrop of the recession and the interim budget. Meet top politicians, policymakers and influential people like home minister and former finance minister P Chidambaram, Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh, Sitaram Yechuri and Montek Singh Ahluwalia to find out how the interim budget can craft the election agenda.

Corporate India waiting for a New Tax Regime: As industry trudges its way through a global slowdown, it eagerly awaited policy decisions on taxation, among many others. The show in the form of a panel discussion saw industry captains and experts debate the possible future.
Taxation for Individuals: Although we know that taxes are inevitable, it is every tax payer's undying wish to have his tax burden reduced. CNBC Awaaz provided a platform to the man on the street to air his opinion on the most detested three letter word.

Tax, SMEs and Business: Small and medium enterprises form a significant part of India's production capacity, accounting for over 40 per cent of India's industrial production. Many of these units have taken the biggest hit in the global recession. This special show focused on how provisions and reforms for this sector gave them a much-needed boost.

Employment Generation: Employment generation has always been a challenge for any government. However, with the global recession setting in and the spectre of unemployment looming large, the government and industry have their work cut out. How can we cope in these trying times to boost employment?

Economists: The Key Challenges – Agriculture, Health, Education & Infrastructure: The UPA government laid stress on many initiatives like the mid-day meal programme, rural development schemes, scholarships for needy students, and investing Rs.1,74,000 crore in infrastructure and telecommunications in rural areas. Have these programmes actually made a difference to the common man? This show tried to understand if the basic needs of the citizen were addressed and what measures the government could undertake to correct itself.

Markets: In a global economy, no stock market is decoupled from the others. The past few weeks have seen unprecedented measures across the world to keep financial institutions afloat. Regulatory reforms are eagerly awaited and measures to inject liquidity in the market will be welcomed. Where does the ordinary investor stand in the midst of all this? This was brought out in a special feature show.

VOA-Speech: FM's Speech Live In Hindi: The landmark speech was followed by analysis and detailing of the implications of the same on the economy, citizens and the government over the next few months.

CNBC Awaaz presented a unique show with a panel of experts demystifying and analysing the Interim Budget speech for the common man. This panel brought out the expectations and impact of the budget on the nation.

Rail Budget and analysis: The rail budget speech was shown live and then analysed by a panel of experts, with focus on the year's performance of under Lalu Prasad Yadav and its impact on the common man. This panel brought out the road ahead for Indian Railways and impact of rail budget on the nation.

The New Agenda: Has the global recession put brakes on the Indian juggernaut? What critical economic decisions can be taken to shield the economy from it? CNBC Awaaz went on-ground to the youth that's driving the economy for their take on what needs to be done to bring the economy back on track.

Budget Ho Toh Aisa - Aage Ka Agenda: The show went to the taxpayer to find out what his expectations were from the government-in-waiting. Whether to an investor or a consumer, every economic policy decision brings along many expectations and predictions. What does the man on the street expect from the government? CNBC Awaaz made their voice heard.

Meri Naukri Mera Budget: With job shakedowns across the industry, retrenchment has become an ominous word for the common man and youths. The show birngs out their their trials and the tribulations.
SME Agenda: Is the small and medium enterprises growth story still intact? Has the drying up of liquidity stemmed the Indian SME dream? What the government needs to do to reinforce confidence and empower India's fastest growing community.

Corporate Wish List: A series of vignettes with top executives expressing their fiscal policy expectations from the government.

Speaking on this programming, . Neel Chowdhury, vice-president, sales and marketing, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz said, "Our economy is at a very crucial juncture. The decisions that the present government has taken now will be crucial as they will be the starting point for the next. On this occasion CNBC Awaaz has presented its viewers with comprehensive view of the vote and what it meant for all the stakeholders."