Asking women about budget expectations is like asking Maria Sharapova about Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary cricketer. You would be certain to get a response of absolute oblivion! I experienced this while talking to women for this story. “What is your budget expectation?” was my quick whatsapp question to friends. My facebook post said, “Call me with a budget wishlist and get featured on iDiva.com”. I drew a blank response. Some embarrassingly said, “Oh it’s too heavy for me” or “It sounds too complex”. Another one laughed off her ignorance with these words: “I don’t know how to spell Budget!”
The persistent journalist inside me eventually found four women. As I spoke to them about their wishlist I did realise that a Union Budget which lays out big numbers of government spending, borrowing investment et al doesn’t really seem to affect their day-to-day life. Unlike many industry bodies and sectors, these women don’t really have a long list for our Finance Minister, Mr Arun Jaitley. But each one of them has one unique wish which can probably make our Finance Minister work overnight!
TOP ISSUES FOR WOMEN
1. MEDICAL EXPENSES
Dr Anna Thomas, Blood Bank Officer at a Private Hospital, Mumbai
“Make healthcare affordable for common people by revising relevant duties on imported equipment and subsidising electricity for hospitals. Because the way the medical costs are rising, I worry whether I will be able to afford hospital costs when I grow old.”
2. SAFETY
Dimple Grover, Associate Professor in a Government Entity, Hyderabad
“Safety and security is a growing concern for women. Many single women look forward to safe and secure housing options. To boost real estate investments from this growing genre, I would like to see a special announcement in the Budget on this aspect so that the real estate builders are motivated to build such homes.”
3. FUEL PRICES
Sangeeta Sharma Bawa, a Housewife, Delhi NCR Region
“The petrol prices should be controlled as everything else goes up because of it. Just like our salaries, the price of essential commodities like food, vegetables and milk should go up only once a year”.
4. EDUCATION COSTS
Simonil Bamji, Associate in International Banking and Insurance Sector, Mumbai
“I wish there could be a tax exemption or rebate for the school fees we pay.”
The Great Gruhini’s Union Budget Wishlist
I guess the Budget would really catch the average woman’s attention if Mr Jaitley helps her manage the grocery bill as every time she buys veggies, she returns home with an empty wallet.
It would matter to the scores of concerned mothers, if Jaitley saheb announces measures to curb school fee hikes which she manages to get reduced through efforts that are nothing short of those displayed by the best soccer stars in the World Cup!
It would matter to her if healthcare becomes more affordable, as with rising costs one can’t really afford a sick spouse!
It would matter to the steely single ones among us, when their marital status doesn’t come in the way of buying a secure house or getting a loan for it.
Image courtesy:©Thinkstock photos/ Getty images
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