What Our Readers Want From the Union Budget

In the run-up to the upcoming Union Budget, Mint conducted an online poll from 28 November and 30 December, inviting its print and digital readers to share their views on how the government should approach the annual exercise.

- Shuja Asrar

Should the Budget be populist? Is it time to relax income tax slabs? Should women and farmers get extra attention in the Budget? Those were among the questions we posed to our readers.

(An advance copy of this survey's findings was presented to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this month.)

At the broad policy level, the poll observed a preference for short-term government planning over long-term ambitious goals. Respondents were divided on their views on populist measures to spur growth, with varying opinions across demographics. Job creation was a high priority. There was widespread dissatisfaction with recent changes to income tax slabs, particularly among salaried professionals. Additionally, opinions on the old versus new tax regimes were mixed, with many favouring the old system (which allows exemptions but levies a higher tax rate), while a large number are hoping for more exemptions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

The poll received 7,051 responses.

Future focus India's ambitious goals for 2047 have been the flavour of policymaking the last few years. But nearly 54% of the respondents wanted the government to plan for the immediate future rather than setting long-term goals.