Rs 3 Lakh Cancer Hospital, Rs 5 Lakh GST Relief: How India's Family Friends React to Budget 2025
A group of diverse families gathered at a Mumbai residence to dissect the latest budget announcement, marking a rare convergence of interest among those from different walks of life.
The Chauhan family, comprising seniors Anjana and her son Chirag, along with friends such as Marine Dsouza and Captain Rajat Singh, watched with excitement as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined the government's plans for 2025. The group eagerly discussed their hopes and concerns regarding new tax slabs, reduced GST rates, and expanded cancer hospital infrastructure across districts.
Anjana Chauhan expressed her disappointment over lack of railway concessions for senior citizens despite being a senior member herself. She noted, "It is crucial to have rail connectivity accessible to everyone." On the other hand, Marina Dsouza felt that some progress was made in supporting senior citizens, particularly through TDS exemptions on interest up to R1 lakh.
For Eugene Alex Dsouza, business has also been a subject of his interest. He expressed his dismay over no benefits being offered for the sector, which is vital for any thriving economy. "The youth who are venturing out with innovative ideas have a high chance of achieving success with the right support," he stated.
Advocate Rubina Eugene Dsouza shared that she was satisfied with reforms in income tax and expressed hope that other relief measures on GST could be implemented soon. Captain Rajat Singh proposed that retail investors deserve incentives for driving growth, such as long-term capital gains below five percent.
Chirag Chauhan expressed satisfaction over the budget's benefits to middle-class Indians, particularly I-T exemptions, and its promise of specialised cancer hospitals in every district. He also appreciated the plan to provide clean water for all households within three years.
Lastly, 17-year-old Angad Rajat Singh emphasized the importance of enhancing education facilities, especially rural areas, which lack modern technology even in private institutions.
In conclusion, while there was some appreciation for the budget's health and tax reforms targets for younger age groups, several participants expressed frustration over the dearth of support for small businesses. More relief measures on GST could have been beneficial to all investors - corporate and retail alike. This sentiment is also backed by Vivek Trivedi from Cure For Sure who suggested better allocations in Ayurvedic sector which is a booming sector growing rapidly