The increase in the income-tax exemption slab will in a way help households manage against the rising prices of essential commodities. The waiver of agricultural is a welcome move, but it must be understood that the major cause of farmers’ miseries is the borrowing from private moneylenders.

Copious funds have been allocated for education and healthcare sectors, keeping in mind the millennium goals; what is needed is to monitor and ensure the funds are properly used. Schemes for women and children have been given special importance. The FM must be lauded for providing tax exemptions to those who pay medical premium for their parent/parents. Hopefully the numbers in old-age homes will decline!