New Delhi: Terming the Union Budget proposals unveiled by the finance minister as conservative rather than ambitious, economists have expressed disappointment saying they had expected bold measures from to curb inflation and unemployment.

According to economist Jayati Ghosh the finance minister could have increased the tax revenue to take advantage of a bullish economy and high corporate profits, while B B Bhattacharya, vice chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University, felt that the timing was right for bold measures given the buoyancy in the tax revenue.

Ghosh noted that the country was facing four main problems — price rise, poor agricultural productivity, employment and nutrition — which he the current budget could addressed effectively.

Nagesh Kumar, director general of the New Delhi-based autonomous policy think-tank, Research and Information System for Developing Countries said the agrarian sector needed to be stimulated and the budget provides for improved rural credit, irrigation facilities and revival of extension centres among other programmes. "These can facilitate another green revolution," he added.