The Forum of Free Enterprise is a non-political organization founded in 1956 by A. D. Shroff, and has been established to educate public opinion in India on free enterprise and a democratic way of life. The Forum publishes booklets to further its objects. The following booklet titled ‘Union Budget (1983-84) proposals will weaken industry’ is authored by H.P. Ranina and published in 1983. The author highlights the increasing debt of the Union government. He criticises the budget for retaining  high rates on the lowest level of taxable income, increasing surcharge, and other salutary amendments. He criticises the move to abolish estate duty over agricultural lands, a hybrid system of taxation for industrialists and businessmen, draconian measures with respect to advertisements, and revival of wealth tax. He appreciates the decision of allowing pollution control equipment for a higher rate of investment, giving selective rebates in excise duty., and replacement of Section 35-B and section 89-A by a new section 80-HHC. He feels that the stagnant economy will continue to haunt the common man.