The amendment did "no damage whatsoever" to ministers' "general objectives" to reduce expenditure on legal aid, he claimed.

BBC: Ministers' legal aid changes dealt blow by peers

But with another eye on the crucial general elections next year, he liberally raised public expenditure for the coming financial year (2013-14) on welfare schemes such as rural roads, employment guarantee and food security.

BBC: India's budget: A deft balancing act

But if the system in general were providing value for money, America's vast expenditure would at least be reflected in a healthier population than in more frugal countries.

ECONOMIST: Reforming American health care