What do we want from Budget ‘16? Expectations of an Andhra-man

On February 29, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present the Union Budget for the year 2016-17. Last year’s Budget was seen as lack-lustre by many since the ruling party came to power on the promise of major reforms, and the announcement fell short of expectations. But it was argued then that the government did not have enough time to come out with comprehensive reforms since they were voted in only in 2014.

Will 2016 be the blockbuster Budget which everyone has been expecting from the Modi government? Will the government further liberalise the economy to unlock the country’s growth potential? Will there be efforts made towards controlling costs and reducing taxes? Will the government increase social sector spending?

We will know the answers by Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, we asked citizens cutting across demographics and professions as to what they expect from the government. Some of them belong to sections which are usually ignored in the media discourse on the Budget. Here’s the wish list of an advertising professional from Andhra.

Name: Asopa Rajesh

Age: 27

Occupation: Advertising professional from Andhra

What he wants

The demand of special status which people had has vanished after the statement from the Finance Minister. Only if the promised assistance comes as cash and special grants, then the state of Andhra Pradesh can recover from deficit.

Even though the Centre has announced AIIMS and IIM in Andhra, the state is not in a position to take them forward. The Centre has to enable the state to do so.

Government should send a message to the people that they have to understand and cooperate with the government even if rates and taxes are increased. Agitation politics and political quota has to be put to an end, allocations should not be based on that.