MY BUDGET: BHAICHUNG BHATIA

BUDGET & MONEY

Did you expect anything from the Budget?

I was a little apprehensive about a hike in the service tax and personal income tax rates.

So, what do you think of it now?

There's not much to be sad or happy in this Budget, except perhaps the large sums given to education and agriculture.

But how does it impact you professionally?

Like previous Budgets, I was disappointed to see that the finance minister said nothing about developing sports.

Yes, some concessions have been made for the development of sports infrastructure, hotels etcetera, but all that is concentrated around the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. But there are other sports centres, and I would have been very happy if the finance minister had given funds to develop them and Indian sports in general.

...and personally?

Not much. The reduction in petrol prices a few days ago was a good thing, and the minister has continued the good work with the duty cuts on petrol and diesel.