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Disappointing Budget

This is with reference to the report 'Professional pessimists' (July 7) wherein Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashing out at the critics of Union Budget 19. At the onset, I feel that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman got the symbolism wrong.

Going back to 'bahi-khata' (a bahi-khata refers to the Indian system of book-keeping which consists of handmade paper bound with thread and draped in a cotton cloth, usually red in colour ) in the electronic age, when even 'aadhtiyas' have discarded the cumbersome 'bahis,' did seem rather incongruous.

A briefcase is always handy to carry papers and small files, especially the Finance Minister's Budget speech. She ought to have stuck to it - everything our colonial rulers did need not be discarded.

Just when the focus is on digitising all facets of governmental activity, Finance Minister carrying a 'bahi-khata' on the most important day in her annual calendar does seem rather odd.

As for the Budget, as always it is a mix of good, not-so-good and completely negative. The pie in the sky forecasts in her budget has squandered the opportunity to provide some tax breaks to the common man after the massive mandate the Modi government won.

J Akshobhya, Secunderabad

Improve urban infrastructure for smooth traffic

It is a welcome move that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to strengthen the suburban railways in her maiden Budget.

Day by day, private vehicles including cars, SUVs, two- wheelers and others are increasing on roads of Hyderabad city in an alarming way.

I appeal to the government both State and the Central and South Central Railway, Ministry of Railways and MPs of Secunderabad and Hyderabad to explore following for better public transport and for clean air in Hyderabad.

1). Develop one more additional railway line between Lingampally - Khairatabad, Begumpet to Bibinagar so that MMTS services can be run on time.

2). New MMTS stations at Lalapet (Vijaya Dairy) and Mallapur (near Noma Talkies) will help nearby colonies to use MMTS in future, if the GHMC and the HMDA develop approach roads of 50 to 100 ft wide from Habsiguda, Nacharam etc.

3). Moulali and Sanath Nagar stations can be developed as express station halts - with 100 ft approach roads from nearby main roads (only 2 or 3 km).

4). A new railway loco shed at BHEL/Ramachandrapuram with required spare train sets to cater to any surge in passenger demand during festivals will help to generate revenue to SCR, also helps people to get confirmed berths during rush seasons, festivals like Sankranti, Dasara, Diwali etc.

5. The HMDA needs to develop a road from Bibinagar to Vati Nagulapally - along the railway track colonies' side (45 to 50 ft wide roads on both sides) just linking some missing patches with mini flyovers at required areas so that trucks, container vehicles, goods mini trucks and long distance buses can be diverted through these roads.

By doing this, major traffic roads can be decongested (NH44, NH65 etc). These roads will also reduce traffic on Uppal TO Hitec City route.

Vijaya Narayana Ch, Hyderabad

Union Budget focuses on all-round development

2019-20 Budget has been proposed by the first woman Finance Minister of India Nirmala Seetharaman after Indira Gandhi. She presented the Budget on Friday at 11 am.

Her two hours of speech includes all about her maiden budget. The total budget figure is Rs 27,86,349 crore. Highlights of the budget include decrement of GST, cost of electric vehicles, taxes on home loans, cost of set top boxes etc.

It also includes increment in cost of gold, silver, marbles, soaps, optical fibres etc. Taxes are added in the case of imported cars, plastics, steel and books.

This budget is also focusing on the water crisis in the country and railways. The Finance Minister informed that their aim was "Majboot Desh Ke Liye Majboot Nagrik".

The Budget focused on the development of farmers. Nearly, 1.39 lakh crore has been assigned for agriculture. Rs 75,000 crore for Kisan Samman Nidhia and foreseen 2.96 growth rate for agriculture, forestry and fishing departments.

This budget is most helpful for farmers and youth. 2019-20 Budget focuses on generation of employment and increment in the retirement age.

The Budget earmarked Rs 29,164 crores for women and children's development. This Budget also kept aside Rs 94,853.64 crore for education. It also focused on artificial intelligence and other objects to develop the country.

The Budget envisages that there will be no scarcity of water in the country by 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "With this budget, the poor will be strengthened, and the youth will be benefitted more." Let's hope the Budget implementation be a great success.

Bhargavi Kalyani, CSE Dept, G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Sciences, Shaikpet, Hyderabad.