‘A medical crisis can cripple a family’

There is nothing exciting for the middle class in the Budget is the view of the Benjamins, an outgoing family of four who love to hang out with friends.

Mathew heads marketing at a mid-sized Delhi-based firm, Rita, his wife, is a freelance consultant who volunteers for a political party as well as for social causes, while son Karan (25) has just entered the workforce and Roy (23) is a chemical engineer.

“It’s a pro-poor, pro-rich budget that will inflict more pain on the middle class,” say the Benjamins, bracing themselves for inflationary days ahead.

“A middle class person looks for tax rebates, cheaper petrol / diesel and a chance to save some money. Every necessary thing will become expensive now. Higher fuel cost will makemost items expensive,” says Mathew.

Ordering-in, something the Benjamins do often, will definitely get costlier, they feel.

The expected exemptions in income tax haven’t happened. Rita wishes there would be a five-year tax holiday for families with an annual income of ₹50 lakh or less given the burden of education bills and healthcare costs.

“The middle class is the one that powers the consumption story and yet, our consumption powers are being cut," says Rita.

Despite that she says the middle class uncomplainingly manages somehow.

“I could not see any thing on cheaper medicine and treatment... A middle class household can become poor in a few days if there is a medical emergency in the family,” points out Mathew. As a smoker, though inured to the inevitable hike in duties on cigarettes, he vents his annoyance thus: “Every year the Government increases the cost of cigarettes and booze, which is a basic entertainment for a middle-class guy who can't afford Europe trips and single malts. Why do you keep increasing the cost here? "

Also, he queries, “Is a split air-conditioner, on which the price has been increased, a luxury item? If so, and if the window air-conditioner is meant for middle-class, why not any rebate there?”

On the positive side, Rita, who is vocal about many feminist causes, is happy about the gender signalling in the budget – especially the loan of ₹1 lakh to women who are part of Self Help Groups.

As far as their household budget is concerned, Rita says she foresees some sacrifices and is sure she will be the one doing that.

“When I want to go shopping, Mathew will now have additional reasons to discourage me, saying it is all out of our budget, but when it is cigarettes or alcohol, it will all be within the budget,” she says, with a shrug.

Mathew grins and agrees that they will have to cut down on holidays. But he is philosophical.

“I never give much thought to budgets. I always believe that one should work hard and earn enough to enjoy life.”