As the state capital eagerly awaits the Union Budget 2025, residents in the city voice a mix of hope and scepticism, each shaped by their unique struggles and aspirations.
While transport workers demand safer roads and homemakers grapple with rising household costs, the city's diverse voices are united in one common expectation: relief from the pressures of inflation in this largely salary-driven city.
Deepak Kumar Dheriya, a transport sector employee, said that toll taxes should be reduced and the roads should be improved. He added that poor infrastructure is one of the main reasons for frequent road accidents and urged the government to provide funds for road safety and maintenance.
Listing challenges for daily wage earners, Vikram Lodhi, a labourer turned vegetable cart vendor in Karond Market, is sceptical about the budget having any positive impact on the poor. He says people in low-income groups have been struggling in the face of rising inflation and lack of proper wages during his time as a labourer. "The poor have always faced challenges and will continue to do so," Lodhi said.
Ayaan Baig, an employee of a private organisation, demanded the reduction of taxes on petrol. He said that high fuel costs have a very significant impact on his travelling outside the city. "Petrol expenses often become unbearable, causing trouble for the middle class," he said.
Supporting small businesses, Amarjeet Singh, a hotelier in the Kolar area of the city, insists on policies that support small and medium-sized industries. Singh believes that low profits and business fluctuations have been detrimental to his goal of opening the second branch of his hotel. He urged the government to minimise taxation on raw materials for the convenience of small enterprises.
Homemaker Anita Jain voiced apprehensions over the erratic price of everyday commodities such as cooking gas, milk, and vegetables. According to her, the costs of household necessities need to come down because frequent inflationary shocks push family budgets into a tizzy. "These are basic requirements for every family, and the government needs to do something about them," she said.
Pankaj Himtani, a chartered accountant, highlighted how inflation would affect taxpayers. He said that the basic income tax exemption limit should be enhanced in the budget so that the middle class gets some relaxation.
Though the voices from city residents point towards the direction in which citizens' expectations stand, whether or not the government meets them will only be known when the annual financial plan is tabled on February 1.
