Interim Budget receives mixed reactions among common masses

New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): The Interim Budget 2009-10, as proposed by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday, drew a mixed response among the common masses.

A housewife Malti Alhuwalia said that such a budget is presented just to fetch votes and would not benefit the common man in any way.

"It has made no difference to us. It is only to fetch votes. They say that the budget is extremely good. But for the common people like us, it has made no difference at all in any way, which is true," Alhuwalia said.

The shopkeepers said they were extremely disappointed as it was very difficult to survive the recession without any budget sops.

The owner of an electronic shop Rajeev Sharma said, "Inflation rate should be low. Every time we hear that budget would be good for common man. But have never been so. Day by day we feel that things would get cheaper and inflation will come down but things for common man are getting difficult."

An electronics good shop owner in Kolkata, Abhijeet Sen, said, "We are dissatisfied with this budget. We had expected some rebate in terms of income tax and excise duty. But besides textile industry nothing has happened. We were expecting at least five per cent discount in income tax and excise duty."

Mumbai's Mohammad Ali felt the Congress government is trying to fool the aam aadmi and said, "Common man will not be benefited at all. Budget has been presented during the time of recession, that itself is a strange thing. I heard that they said they would generate 10.2 jobs within a year, which is impossible. I think government is just trying to fool public."

Some people, however, were happy for government's new schemes, which would benefit a huge mass in the country.

A travel agent J. K. Virk said, "I feel happy that adequate resources for the Commonwealth Games in 2010 have been assured which will result in the successful conduct of the Games. The Games will draw tourists from across the globe, which will result in the raking in of foreign exchange that will help the economy of the country."

A social activist Radhika cheered for the budget, saying Indira Gandhi national widow pension scheme will provide pension of Rs. 400 whereas young widows will be given priority in ITIs. (ANI)