Budget buoys up bizmen but...

Reaction of business class and traders to the interim budget presented by the Union government on Friday is positive. With the exception of a lone businessman, who said the budget was devoid of credibility, all others heaped praises on it. A farmer, while welcoming the Centre’s announcement of Rs 6,000 a year to farmers with cultivable land of 5 acres, has felt that such a measure should have been taken long ago

The Union government’s sop for Rs 6,000 farmers’ support scheme in addition to the State government’s Rythu Bandhu investment support scheme, would augur well for the agriculture sector, which badly needs a helping hand. Both the schemes coming in the year of elections suggests that they are classic pre-general election budgets with an eye on voters. The Centre and State would have initiated such schemes supporting farmers long ago. - Guduri Ravi, Farmer, Bathinavaripally (Warangal-U)

Declaring a complete tax rebate for those earning up to Rs 5 lakh is somewhat a big relief for the middle class. This is not an exemption limit as it only applies to those earning up to Rs 5 lakh a year. The taxpayer will continue to pay as they were earlier if their income is more than Rs 5 lakh a year. It is a bit of jugglery however it helps to those earning below Rs 5 lakh. - B Sambasiva Rao, retired lecturer, Hanamkonda

A balanced budget and all sections have been covered. It will not be exaggerated to say that the budget 2019 is totally balanced and historical going by the country’s economic situation. The expansion of online services would result in curbing corruption. The government should be credited for providing financial assistance to the farmers. Piyush Goyal should be lauded for his efforts. - Venugopal Agarwal, Businessman

Issues of all sections including middle class, farmers, house owners and others have been addressed keeping in view the coming Lok Sabha elections. We welcome the government’s decision to bring Kaamdhenu Yojna by allocating Rs 750 crore for safeguarding cows. Happy to note the investment money directly goes into the accounts of the farmers. The decision to cut down the tax on interest in banks and providing relief to the middle class tax payers is a good relief. - Sampath Toshniwal, Executive Member Akhil Bharatiya Maheshwari Mahasabha

The budget lacked credibility. Though this budget is good, it lost credibility as the government announced it at the end of the term. Had this was implemented three years ago, we would have enjoyed the fruits now. There is no use except getting voters’ attention by announcing at last minute. - Srikanth Lella, Businessman

We have seen a good budget after a long time. The budget gives huge relief to the middle class and poor sections. The government’s move to remove taxes up to Rs 5 lakh income gives big relief to the salaried class. Presently, where the average salaries are around Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month used to fall under tax net but from now onwards, there will not be taxes on salaries up to Rs 45,000. The second best thing about the budget is relief for the farmers. Giving investment to distressed farmers is a good move by Modi government. - Surya Prakash Jain, Businessman

This is nice and income generating budget because when people have money in their hands, they would have more purchasing power. There will be more industrial growth and more production means more employment. Overall it is good budget keeping in view all section of society especially the needy people. The budget will do well for the poor and middle class  sections in the country. The budget is presented keeping in view the strategy for development in 10 years  to come. The announcement of financial assistance to farmers is also a good move. Prime Minister has implemented KCR’s scheme. - Arun Kumar, member of Hyderabad Kirana Merchants Association

It is heartening to note that the Centre’s budget has raised the income tax limit up to Rs 5 lakh. But it is regrettable that the budget did not reflect the aspirations of the employees. It would have been better if the income tax limit was raised up to Rs 8 lakh. - Syed Saleemuddin, President of Telangana Retired Gazetted Officers Association