While major asset owners and profit earners have maximised their profitability during the Covid pandemic last year, the real crisis in hand is still evident in the declining wages for (middle income) salaried classes and a disproportionately high loss in jobs across urban and rural areas. There is, unfortunately, nothing in this Budget for these millions -- either in terms of direct personal taxation (or exemption) benefits, or a plan to set a more robust and targeted job-creation plan in place, say through an urban-focused job creation plan similar to MGNREGA at least within the public sector, a proposal many thought might have got a nod this time for national-level implementation.
Deepanshu Mohan, ‘The ‘thorns’ that still afflict India’s economy’, Deccan Herald
