We got nothing, say women

Increase in social welfare is nominal, no employment scheme for women

Delhi women say Budget 2012-13 is “disappointing” and has nothing for women, who comprise half of the population.

Almost all manufactured items will be costlier. And luxury cars, gold, eating out at restaurants or hotel accommodation will also become expensive because of the steep hike in tax rates proposed in the Budget this year.

Though the Finance Minister is saying that the tax burden for women will come down with the income tax exemption limit raised from Rs 1,90,000 to Rs 2,00,000, women say this is not the case.

“The budget is disappointing, ineffective and lacks focus. Increase in social welfare is nominal and there is no employment generation scheme for women. Since there will be no rise in salary, the expenses will automatically increase. Moreover, service tax has been hiked which means that we will not be able to save much,” said Parul Dwivedi from Paschim Vihar, Delhi. Service tax has been increased to 12 per cent from the existing 10 per cent except in few items.

Many women say it is not the ideal aam aadmi's budget.

“We were expecting that income tax exemption limit would be raised to Rs 3 lakh. If prices of products of daily necessity will be increased every year, women will suffer more because there is no increase in salaries. Plus we will have to pay more while travelling by air or hiring a law firm,” said Kamaljeet Kaur, a resident of Patparganj.

Kanchan Lal, a housewife from Shalimar Bagh believes the budget will add fuel to a common man's problems.

“The government has left no scope for us to save. It will become difficult for me to cater to my household expenses with never ending hikes,” she said.

Gold and platinum will be costlier as the government has proposed a hike on the import duty of these precious metals to 4 per cent from 2 per cent.

This could lead to an increase of 3 to 4 per cent in the prices of gold.

The duty on non-standard gold bar has also been increased to 10 per cent from the earlier 5 per cent.

Moreover, some of the imported jewellery will cost more but branded silver jewellery will get cheaper.

“I will have to bother about my kitchen and household expenses. Purchasing gold and jewellery will become a far fetched dream,” said Sangeeta Srivastava, a housewife from east Delhi.