Union Budget 2013: Middle class not impressed

BHUBANESWAR: The Union budget failed to impress the middle class. Some housewives said they had expected relief from rise in prices of essential commodities, but in vain. "Inflation is soaring. We had expected some provisions to help us reduce our monthly household expenses but were disappointed," said Bharati Parida, a housewife.
"The tax credit of Rs 2,000 to those having a total income of up to Rs 5 lakh is a pittance," said Pradip Subudhi, a government employee."We expected a bigger tax relief. The budget fell far short of our expectations," Subudhi added.
Some women welcomed the 'Nirbhaya Fund' and 'all women bank'. Social activist Rutuparna Mohanty said both are welcome steps but too little to empower women. "The government was forced to create a Rs 1,000-crore Nirbhaya Fund after the public outcry over the Delhi gang rape. The fund cannot protect women unless the guilty is punished," she said.
On the 'all women bank', medical student Pravati Jena said, "I don't think such a bank will provide extra benefit to women except being a symbol of women empowerment." The budget has failed to cheer the youth as prices of cellphones worth over Rs 2,000, SUVs and bikes were hiked. "I thought of buying i-phone, but now I have to drop the idea," said Nihar Mallick, a software engineer.
Union Budget 2013 > Budget news 2013 > Economic Survey