The Budget

Dear FINMIN,

we all know from the sweet that was made to kick start the budget session that the budget is ready. Apart from the customary sweet halwa or what ever you call it we need some real stuff in this budget. I am not an economist but i simply want to echo the sentiments of my friends and families who are just average citizens of this country who pay taxes both direct and indirect, with which you are making these plans. Hence, believing that we have a right to know how our own money is being spent I want to place a few requests in an understandable manner.

1. Atleast this year let there be a substantial increase in funding for education at all levels, primary, secondary and tertiary. We are a country of more young people than any other. We need to educate our children and grand children. If we don't spend on education we have no right to talk about an empowered nation.
2. In terms of infrastructure, i know the focus is going to be on highways and roads that connect the country. But it is essential to concentrate on non motorised transport as well. If you are really concerned about Mother India she needs to be placed on non motorised transport to travel safely. Can we expect anything to this effect.
3. For a long time we have focussed on non renewable sources of energy. We all understand the damage it can do to all of us including you. Is there anything to encourage the safety of the planet by supporting renewable energy. Can we see something concrete on Solar, Wind, Hydro and Tidal energy. Without it we are becoming a powerless country
4. Health for all has become a misnomer, hundreds and thousands of our brothers and sisters are perishing in pain from absolutely preventable/curable diseases. The simple mosquito is deemed responsible for many deaths. TB and Cancer are on the rise. You may well understand that this can be and needs to be stopped. Do you have anything for this?
5. We all know that India is a nation that has no place to pee or poop. A majority of the Indians are loosing mortgaging their dignity every day to open spaces where they defecate. Is there something to restore their dignity.
6. Every day in the international market the fuel prices are reducing, but unfortunately, the price in India seems to be rising steadily. We go one step forward and two steps backward. When you are so quick in hiking the price the same should be maintained while it comes down. Can we expect something to change with your wisdom.
7. You have said that we have to change the taxation policy of the country. The poor and middle class are being taxed continuously while the super rich go ahead with so much ease. We are not asking you to be robin hood but you can be our minister who can play the balancer who pays attention to the poverty of the poor and richness of the rich. In fact it has been the other way around as the poverty of the rich gains priority. Can we expect any change to this effect.
8. You know that to forgive and forget is a very divine value. Can we expect you to be kind to the poor farmers who have been struggling to make ends meet while trying to pay of the loans even when the crops have failed repeatedly. When you write off almost three times of the loans of the industry I am sure it is not going to be a big burden to write off a small amount in the large scale of things.
9. We are a nation that is cricket crazy for the right or the wrong reasons. But we are also capable in other fields. To sustain the youth and develop them is there is a possibility to increase the funding for sports and games especially for women. This can be in the forms of professional academies or in terms of locally coordinated clubs. Is there any effort to increase the medal tally of India in the world of sports.
10. Is it too much to ask for an investment in the green ecology and environment. As it has been many years since we heard anything from you on this area. We have heard more on investing in exploiting the earth than replenishing it. Can we hear something from you on this.
11. Industry cannot be left out. We are fuelled and driven by it. But can we expect anything for the small scale industry? Here is where many millions are working and they do not seem to get anything out of this.
12. Here is a the last one of this dozen for now. We are a nation with several disparities. Caste is emboldened by class, gender is marred with an imbalance of power. In this budget can be expect any creativity from you to change the situation. Let it be a beginning, I hope you can light a candle.