Budget 2017: Chennai expects funds for more trains, environment, action on non performing assets

With just a day to go for Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to table the budget for the fiscal year 2017, expectations vary across Tamil Nadu but after facing severe drought, a cyclone and Jallikattu protest, Chennaites have entered a broad spectrum and wish for more reforms in the 2017 budget.

"In the year 1993, the Supreme Court banned the practice of manual scavenging but still it prevails in many areas especially in railways department. So I would request that more funds are released to replace manual scavenging with machines," expressed Sudandra Kumar, an auto rickshaw owner. He expressed that till such professions continue, it would be very difficult to attain equality in India.

Kadhigram Karthik, a Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) faculty expressed that the entire spectrum in which budget is being allocated needs to be reformed if any state of India should benefit from it.

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"Though road transportation has increased, it should be noted that railways still remains a common man's trusted transportation system. So along with frequent trains, changes should be done in ticket management and a class of personal emergency should be included. Also steps should be taken to avoid the use of plastics as passengers frequent across India, it causes more damage to the ecosystem than in any other way", he explained.

Much worried about the federal system under stress in the country now, Karthik said that it is time the Center gave more importance to agriculture sector in Tamil Nadu, especially after facing a severe drought. "Due to drought, farmer suicide has also increased. They are being provided money with which the family can sustain for 6 months and what happens after that?" he questioned.

Vijaybhaskar, a cinematographer expressed that the Centre has not kept its word about the economic reform. "Even though we are paying for everything, they are adding more tax," he said and alleged that the Centre in a way to bring down the fiscal deficit is adding more tax to the service sector. He stated that corporate tax should not be reduced and the government should take steps to retrieve loans back from non-performing assets.

The expectations of Chennaites after facing a huge deal of difficulties between November to January can be a reason for the broadened view of the budget.

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