Common man hopes for relief in budget

Islamabad

The federal budget for the next financial year will be announced on June 3. Public is pinning high hopes on the government that at least it would exempt food items from unnecessary taxes.

Public is already paying high prices for all kitchen items because of unnecessary taxes, including ‘sales tax.’ If the government imposed unnecessary taxes, including ‘sales tax,’ in the budget 2016-17, people would face the dilemma of skyrocketing prices as per routine in coming days.

The salaried class is particularly hopeful for an increase in their pays according to inflation in the country. They hope that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar would increase their salaries by at least 50 per cent in the budget.

The ‘naanbais’ are also hoping that the government would cut down rates of wheat in the budget so that they could sell ‘rotis’ and 'naans' on cheaper prices.

Talking to ‘The News,’ people belonging to different walks of life said that they are already facing inflation. The retailers and wholesale dealers are looting public with both hands, but they are expecting people-friendly budget this year, they hoped.

Muhammad Basharat said that at a moment, meat is considered as an expensive source of protein, particularly for the poor, as high production cost, ever-increasing taxes on ‘fodder’ and political instability have destroyed this industry depriving people of a cheaper source of protein. “We are buying mutton at the rate of Rs700-750 per kilogram and beef at Rs450 while chicken is being sold at Rs280-300 per kilogram. It is due to ever-increasing taxes, particularly 'sales tax,' he denounced.

Nazish Baloch, a working woman, said that the budget means hope in which people expect the government to provide maximum relief to public. "But we have to buy all items on skyrocketing rates after the budget speech of the finance minister," she added. She said that she was hoping that the government would make a plan against profiteers and hoarders as they are continuously looting public.

Muhammad Ayaz, a senior citizen, said that he is expecting a cut down in the tariffs of electricity and gas in the budget. He said that he is also expecting an end to the 'sales tax' on all kitchen items. “We are already buying 1 litre milk for Rs110, yogurt at the Rs100 per kilogram, mutton at the rate of Rs700-750 per kilogram, how we could afford these items if the government imposes more taxes on these items in the budget, he warned.

Dr Uzma Irfan said that she is hoping of the government to cut down taxes on motor vehicle registration. The majority of vehicles are running on roads without registration because of high taxes. “I am expecting of the government to cut down 50 per cent taxes, then people would easily pay taxes, she advised. She also asked the government to introduce more and more public welfare schemes in the budget to end an uncertain situation in the country.

Niaz Ahmed, a poor man, said that he does not have interest in the budget but he is praying for relief in the budget. “Already poor are leading a hard life, they are seeing government to provide them relief in budget," he hoped.