The following booklet titled “Economic Infirmities will continue under the Union Budget 1996-97 ” was authored by H. P. Ranina. The text is based on a public lecture in Mumbai under the auspices of the Forum of Free Enterprise.  The text begins by explaining the maiden budget speech and its whatabouteries and then the author moves on to emphasise three broad areas: stabilising the fiscal imbalance, poverty alleviation and promoting infrastructural development. All in all the author feels that the finance minister is yet to begin the real test and will have to ensure that there is no negative trend in corporate performance.