Dear Mr Arun Jaitley
As an average middle class home-maker, I empathize with Mrs Jaitley whose job these days is as challenging as yours. Preparing meals on time, ensuring you are served them on time so that on February 28, when you read out your second budget speech, you don’t have to take a break.
Just like Mrs Jaitley, in our own way, we too are superb house managers (or as we love to say Gruhinis), even though some of us go out to work or do it from home. These days, since everyone has a wishlist or suggestion about what you should do for the budget. I have a small list too. Only, as my spouse stood next to me overlooking my list, he wanted me to add his wishlist too.
No. 1 on My Wishlist: Incentives for Paternity Leave
Please don’t take it personally, but the fact remains that Indian men spend just 51.8 minutes as compared to 351 minutes spent by us each day, for household work. You may think I am biased, but this statistics is as per World Economic Forum’s Gender Chore Gap Study, which shows that Indian women spend more time for household chores as compared to men.
So how about making men work too? Consider the dedication they show in hitting the gym regularly and in flexing muscles. If, even a little bit of that is shown towards babysitting kids, then imagine the number of women who can return to work quickly and reduce your fiscal deficit headache.
No. 1 on Spouse’s Wishlist: Lesser Tax on the Fit & Healthy
Dear FMji, six-packs, eight packs are all around us! Surely someone as health conscious as you will realise the value of fitness! Look at all the benefits that our low-carb, treadmill bound lifestyle will bring:
i) Decrease in State Medical Expenditure – Healthy Bodies equal Lesser Patients, yes?
ii) Decrease in congestion on roads: To show off the eight packs, more people may take bicycles to work, leading to less pollution and less work for state governments to de-congest cities.
Is then too much ask for a tax deduction for the fitter ones amongst us? We are willing to accept a tax slab deduction, for each ab muscle, that we are able to reveal!
No. 2 on My Wishlist: Incentives for Women Entrepreneurs
Ministerji, if you have a Facebook account, then please type these search keywords “women entrepreneurs” and you will discover the mini economy of women entrepreneurs, who are struggling to strike out on their own by setting up businesses, by using social media to sell craft, jewellery, designer clothes and so on. While juggling with the cookers in kitchen, they are also simultaneously taking big orders through e-commerce websites. Don’t you think they deserve a tax break on their income for the first year at least?
No. 2 on Spouse’s Wishlist: Reduction in Alcohol Prices:
Now, I can see you furrowing your eyebrows at the sight of this one, but hear me out! In keeping with our PMji’s “Make In India” movement, several indigenious entrepreneurs have taken on the west, with brilliant versions of Indian brews and malts. These include several excellent brews like Bombay Pale Ale and Amrut Fusion. What better way to encourage this budding Indian talent than to encourage them by offering them tax sops. Surely, you would appreciate the value of a great malt after the many hours of work you have put into drafting the budget; now imagine if this malt was Indian!
No. 3 on My Wishlist: Safety funds and Tax Sops for Girl Child’s Education:
Your predecessor marked Rs 1000 crore towards Nirbhaya Fund, but my fellow women citizens are still scared to walk on empty streets after 8pm. Please do utilise the fund and improve safety for women. In addition to the fund for safety, why not spare some money towards giving tax sops for girl child. Let’s say, if tuition fees is paid for two girls, then tax payer gets extra rebate under section 80C.
No. 3 on Spouse’s Wishlist: Reduction in Luxury Vehicle Duties
FMji, the combined effect of PMji’s “Swach Bharat Abhiyaan”, and the massive infrastructure projects that you intend to give a green signal to, will result in some drive-worthy roads. Surely, such roads need vehicles worthy of adorning them? Can you imagine the beautiful sight of an Aston Martin speeding across the Yamuna Expressway? Brings a tear to your eye doesn’t it? Well what are you waiting for, drop those duties now!
* When my husband, Vikram Koppikar isn’t looking over my shoulder, he works as a legal professional in IT Industry
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