The local women residents said that the union budget 2018 is not meant for middle class people because there is no measure in it to curb prices of essential commodities, which have hit the roof. Reacting to budget, they told Free Press that the government has neglected common man’s kitchen managed by women. Much was expected. Budget has disappointed them.
Ambreen Farooqui, teacher
Budget is not satisfactory for middle class people. There were lots of expectations in lowering the prices in many areas but nothing changed. No change in tax slab and increase in customs duty will affect their pockets. The hopes are dashed for the middle class. But there is good news for working women and little relief for self-help groups.
Shibani Gosh,Parvarish (NGO) founder
Since my childhood I have seen two types of budget.
Firstly, bad budget and nothing for middle class and secondly, good budget but nothing for middle class. It is difficult to say whether this is a dream budget. The budget has nothing for middle classes. They find themselves in same place where they were five years back.
Aprajita Agrawal, business woman
Budget is centred on agriculture and business. The tax on sanitary pads should be less but it didn’t happen. The budget doesn’t augur well for women. It is relief to know that price of petrol and diesel will decrease. It is commendable that some money is allocated for rural health but it is still on paper. Sarkaar iss budget ko kaise utilise karti hai wo toh samay hi batayega. (Time will tell how government will use funds under budget)
Nidhi Parmar, housewife
Budget is good for farmers, old and poor people. There are many schemes that have been announced for farmers and poor people, which is good. Also, the excise duty on petrol and diesel has come down. It is relief for us. It is true that the prices on essential commodities didn’t decrease but budget will benefit common man indirectly.
The youths in the city have given a mixed response for union budget. Some criticised it in harshest terms, others said it will benefit in long run. Free Press talked to city’s youths to know their reaction. Excerpts:
Anand Yadav, 24, civil services aspirant
There is nothing for youth and common man. No step has been taken to decrease the price of essential commodities including fuel, gas, food items and domestic goods. There is no good policy to address unemployment. This budget is like an advertisement of a product. In real means, there is no quality.
Rishi Kant, 22, student
There is no special gift for students in the budget. They announced to open Eklvaya school in tribal areas and one medical college in three Lok Sabha constituencies. But there is no concrete measure to check rising unemployment. Only 3% to 4 % (of total budget) has been allocated to education ministry. D S Kothari Commission set up in 1964 had advised to allocate 6% of the total budget in education sector.
Amit Singh, 23, student
The budget is balanced but there is no provision for youths and students. What is use of smart phones if we have no proper water supply, electricity, fans in most schools? Also, most of our teachers are not technology-friendly.
Harshita Giri, 19, student
This budget will be good for all including youths. It aims to provide 70 lakh job opportunities. Announcement to construct new airports will also generate employment. The most important thing of the budget which I felt is that medical facilities will be provided to 10 crore poor families. Budget is made for common man.
Sonam Nunkari, 23, student
Good cause never fails. The budget in someway is important for job facilities and schemes for doubling the economy though it is a slow process. But it will benefit us in coming years.
Shiv Kumar Sharma alias Kakaji, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh president
“It’s a lollypop for the farmers in the election year. The government had mentioned in their manifesto that they will offer minimum support price to the farmers. But in the budget, no provision has been made. Farmers are lured by fake declarations made by union finance minister Arun Jaitley.
Shivkant Dixit, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh regional organisational secretary
Budget is farmer friendly. Farmers cover 65 percent of Indian population. But how will government set support price of rabi and kharif crops? What will be the procurement procedure? How will transparency be ensured? What will be the method to decide production cost of crop?
