Basic needs should be within reach for all
The government must ensure that majority of people live life comfortably and are able to raise their lifestyle status. It is only possible when government ease the burden of bread-and-butter requirement for the family. Today, the basic requirement like food, shelter, health and education are out of reach from a common man. For instance, when somebody is ill in the family they end up exhausting all their money only in treatment. How can we think of upgrading the status of a family when education is not affordable for a middle-class family? I strongly feel government must give some good incentives to education sector for both primary education and higher studies.
—Pooja Maheshwari, media trainee
Affordable health service a must for senior citizens
I have great expectations from this government that it will make life easier for senior citizens in our country. I am 75 years’ old and my wife is 70 years old. I don't have anyone who can look after us. I am self-emplyed and earn Rs14,000 per month through my ball-bearing business. We feel much excluded because there is hardly anything which makes our life easier. We cannot solicit for insurance cover for health. Even health treatment is not affordable in the hospitals and we don't get special facility or reservation in the city hospital. Everybody knows that senior citizens have various health-related issues. For travelling within the city there is hardly any concession that we get. I demand the government consider people like us to make our lives more comfortable.
—Indulal Kamdar, senior citizen
Cheap loans should be available to farmers
I expect the government to raise tax exemption limit. The government should encourage infrastructure projects because still we are lagging behind, be it water or electricity. Loans should be extended on lower rates of interest to farmers. As you know, agriculture is still the backbone of India. Also, the government should bring about schemes or incentives to encourage foreign direct investments to invest in rural India and backward regions in the country.
—Julius Machado, bank executive
Govt needs to spend more on education
Iexpect that 49% FDI in insurance and fertiliser sector deregulation of oil prices upto a certain extent which would be controlled only after it breaches an upper limit. Alsoopening up of banking sector for more direct investment and more offers to attract FII into the country.If the government spends heavily on infrastructure and public services for the next two - three years than we can also attract a good amount of FDI into the nation.And spend more on educational sectors and set up of more IITs and IIMs.
—Arpit Sharma, post-graduate student
Economic reforms should be on fast track
With the economic slowdown still looming, people haveexpectations from the budget. Iwant reforms to be on fast track-- state-run companies like BSNL should be listed in stock exchange so that fresh capital can be infused in these companies. This will also mean better competition and a better quality of service. Also, there should drastically cut down fiscal deficit; it shouldn't be more than 3-4%. Securities Transaction Tax should be abolished so that foreign institutional investors find India attractive.
—Rohan Mehrotra,bank executive
Medical reimbursement should increase
With the economic meltdown that had hit the country, I think the government should raise the tax exemption limit. It is very difficult for people in the current circumstances. The government should pay attention towards infrastructure. The limit for non-taxable medical reimbursement should be increased. Like the railway budget, I hope the union budget too is for the people, by the people, to the people. Not only I, but others too have a lot of expectations from the government.
—Karan Chaudhari, student
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