Though presentation of the Union Budget is looked at as a mere ritual, every year it invokes curiosity among the common man, especially middle class people, to know what it offers in terms of sops – like increase in personal income tax exemption limit and reduction in tax or duty on items of everyday use. This year, the common man has gone beyond mundane issues and shown interest in retrieval of black money, power and employment generation.
Correspondents of The Hindu , across south Tamil Nadu, spoke to ordinary people to know about what the budget means to them. The reactions ranged from sheer indifference to calling it “pro-rich.” People were generally appreciative of the focus it has provided on infrastructure development. Here are samples of how our region reacted to the budget:
“Pro-corporate budget”
M. Ahmed Hussain, Regional Secretary, National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) and Joint Convenor, United Forum of Bank Unions (UBFU) said the budget is pro-corporate. Reduction of corporate tax from 30 to 25 per cent will boost investment. But, at the same time, increasing service tax by two per cent will affect the poor and middle class to a larger extent. Starting of AIIMS-like institution is an isolated case and will not benefit the entire country. Reduction in allocation for MGNREGS is condemnable.
P. Simbu, II year Computer Science Student, Nagercoil felt the announcement on setting up of Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation mechanism for startup business and other self-employment ventures in technology-driven areas is welcome. This will enable employment seekers become employment creators.
The announcement of Nayi Manzil Scheme, enabling minority youth to obtain school leaving certificate and gain better employment, is welcome, said Barkath Beevi (58), Home-maker, Parakkai. Saravanan, an auto driver in Nagercoil, said the accident insurance policy of Rs. 2 lakh at a premium of Rs. 12 per year is a welcome decision, as it will help self-employed persons and the poor people.
“More for the rich”
G. Diwakar, a Tuticorin-based business man cum export trader said the budget outcome would wholly suit the requirements of tradesmen and it would not benefit the common people. Hence, he said the budget was meant for the rich people and not the poor.
S. Janakiraman, a student of Bucklepuram said explained that since the budget was focused on infrastructure developments it was sure to boost Indian economy. Besides, a thrust on rural infrastructure developments and ensuring housing facilities for all in 2022 was a welcome move. The allocation of Rs.8.5 lakh crore towards farm loans to increase agricultural productivity was appreciable. People were also looking forward to new power plant projects as announced during the budget session with fund allocation since electricity consumption demands were growing day by day, said T. Rajagopal, common man from Muniyasamypuram.
“A mere ritual”
K. Murugan, an autorickshaw driver from Dindigul, said the budget presentation has become a ritual. There is nothing to cheer about for the ordinary man in this budget as it is pro-rich. People like me do not gain anything from it. Even the railway budget did not contain anything significant for the common man. R. Alaguraja, a businessman from Dindigul said, “We have to wait and see how long it takes for the benefits of good schemes announced in this year’s budget to reach the common man. The steps to be taken to bring back black money stashed abroad should translate into action as the progress so far on this front has not given us the confidence that it is possible,” he said.
“Blow to middle class”
Asmabagh Anvardeen, president of Ramanathapuram District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the Central budget does not fulfil the ambitions of traders and dealt a severe blow to the middle class. Expectations were high that the Modi government would provide a solace to the middle class salaried segment by raising the income tax exemption limit but it was not so. The raise in service tax to 14 per cent would affect all sections. The proposal to open a AIIMS-class hospital in Tamil Nadu has fulfilled a long-pending demand.
S. Murugan (45), auto-rickshaw driver in Ramanathapuram, said that he expected some announcement with regard to concession in tuition fees for higher education and reduction in petrol price. His first daughter was studying undergraduation in English literature and his major chunk of his earning go towards tuition fee payment. He expected the government to further reduce the petrol price.
S. Keerthika, homemaker in Ramanathapuram said that the elevation of service tax in the Central budget would mean that a host of services would become expensive. “At least once in a month, we go out to restaurants with family and this will make a hole in the monthly budget. The reduction of excise on footwear industry by half is good news. Smoking to cost dear and this is a welcome feature for passive smokers.
