CHENNAI: Muralidharan, who is keen on minimising his tax payments, believes that the budget favoured the low-income group appropriately, but only marginally benefitted the middle class. “My takeaway from this budget is limited,” he said, adding that he expected reforms in the gold market and insurance schemes too.
His wife Pushpalatha, who is on the lookout for her first house, will benefit from the additional waiver of Rs 50,000 on the loan interest. But the scheme would only be applicable if they pick a house that costs less than Rs 50 lakh. “If I opt for a house that is Rs 60 lakh, she can’t really avail that benefit,” he said.
Pushpalatha also intends to buy gold coins. “I thought I’d buy some coins as an investment for my daughters, but Jaitley had nothing to say about gold,” she said. Muralidharan’s father, Ganesan K is happy that his fixed deposits will generate an interest of eight per cent, but is doubtful if the Aadhar-based smart card project will help him. Sukeerthi (15) and Varunika (11), who attend a private school, are excited about the annual learning outcome system that will let them enhance their strengths.
Overall, Muralidharan feels that the tax waiver he received from this budget might get cancelled once the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill is announced. “Right now, this budget seems good for the middle-class. But it’s not all that great,” he exclaimed.