Budget reactions

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s budget evoked mixed responses from Bengalureans from different walks of life. When Deccan Herald spoke to people these were their reactions to the budget.


Dr H Sudharshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal Hospitals

It is great news that dialysis would be made available for the common man and I am glad that they have considered the elderly for additional healthcare support. Having generic drug stores is a right step. But, preventive healthcare must have been the focus.

Ankit Kumar Poddar, City-based entrepreneur, founder, HookedUp
The budget appears to good for rural India. With the introduction of Entrepreneurship Training in schools and colleges, Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges will get a boost. Tax exemptions is a boost for product start-ups that tend to break down soon. However, it appears that a start-up has itself been redefined.

Kavya Arni, senior analyst, private firm
This year’s budget focuses on development. It is neither pro-rich nor pro-poor. It is appreciable that a considerable amount is set aside for infrastructure and roads as it is the need of the hour. Higher education financing is also lucrative.

Divya Prasanth, lead, pre-sales,
 This budget has given a lot of emphasis on agriculture which is good. At the end of the day, we are a country with a population of 70 per cent cultivators.
But the Finance Minister has not come up with any schemes to empower women.


Mohan Ram, businessman,
 I am happy with the budget, but, I expected more under Make in India. Though there is rebate for start-ups, there should have been benefits for small entrepreneurs. The hike in service tax and cess will hit small business sector.

Roshan George, founder, Artville
This budget almost ignored the urban middle class. However, support to farmers and rural infrastructure is welcome. Empowering financial sector and making our banks strong is a good thing, but government also should make sure these policies do not support the rich.

Rathnakar, captain, Coast to Coast
The budget looks like a decent one for those from the middle class. However, when Rs 40,000 crore is lying there unclaimed, why is that not being put to use?  Why should they levy tax on EPF? This will mean a huge hit to the working class.