Once again the Union Budget disappoints the common man with low income slabs. With the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission,everyone expected a substantial increase in the exempted limit of Income Tax,which even last year was given a paltry jump. But the FM took it as an opportunity to trap a larger number of poor people in the tax net and has preferred to keep the limit at Rs 1.6 lakh. It matters least whether the 10 per cent tax limit is raised to Rs 5 lakh. Secondly,the boast of aam aadmis budget and social development also stands exposed when one finds only Rs 3675 crore being given to states as educational grant. You need to read the fine print to appreciate the real concern of the government for the common man. The Budget proves to be no more than a jugglery of figures,serving political interests.
Ved Guliani
Lagos
The Union Budget does not have much for the aam aadmi. Just by reducing the tax rate for the slab of Rs 5-8 lakh and very marginally increasing the exemption limit,the FM hasnt done anything at all. On the other hand,the increase in duty for petro-products will result in inflation and rise in prices of commodities and conveyance expenses. All in all,the common man will stand to gain nothing.
S. Krishna Kumar
Dombivli
After Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkars double hundred raises interesting corollaries. How long will this stand? If a team bats second,the target itself is a limitation on scoring,even if someone is in the mood and form. Are batting records more easily broken than bowling records? Kumbles 10-wicket haul could have been prevented if any bowler had taken just one wicket. It also means that to emulate Kumble,the first bowler to take a wicket in an innings should also take the remaining. Unless the batting team also cooperates,this is almost impossible. When Kumble reached his 8th wicket,others were attempting not to take any. However,batting is a non-interference activity where no one,except the opposition,is directly preventing the other from scoring. If Dhonis scores are extrapolated,he was also well on the way to score a double century,if there were enough balls left.
T.R. Ramaswami
Clear signals
How do you say Rail to nowhere (IE,February 25) when Mamata Banerjees rail is so distinctly flagged for the West Bengal Assembly elections 2011? The priority of railway ministers is not improving existing conditions and passenger amenities but improving electoral prospects by measures like unchanged passenger fares and introduction of new trains. I agree that its time for Indian Railways to be deprived of its big day in Parliament.
M.C. Joshi
