Budget 2021 Utterly Disregards the Education Catastrophe Inflicted by COVID-19 Is it not amply clear that the fall-out from such persistent neglect of education is bound to create serious social and economic problems with long lasting effects? Students wearing protective face masks are seen inside a classroom of a government-run school after authorities ordered schools to reopen voluntarily for classes 9 to 12, in Gurugram, India October 15, 2020. Photo: Reuters/Anushree Fadnavis Education02/Feb/2021 âNo surprisesâ seems to be the hashtag for this yearâs budget, as echoed by the giants of Indian industry on TV channels, as they heave sighs of relief and project hope for an economic recovery. No surprises, because the government proceeded on a mostly business as usual plan, reiterating its commitment to privatisation â albeit more openly â focussing on incentives to corporates, including labour reforms, no COVID-19 cess and plenty of other platitudes amounting to little else.