The hope before budget announcement for the relief of common man and the actual relief announced in the budget showed a substantial difference and a shock. An increase of Rs 500 to Rs 1000 in the salaries of Grade I to Grade 17 justified the claim of Government where the price hike made the lives of the common man miserable?
An interesting element is that employees on contract have been kicked off and are not entitled, if you analyse the relief for the corporate employees. The current relief are just like peanuts, approximately Rs 50 to Rs 100 p/m savings in the shape of tax on the salaries of upto Rs 400,000, per annum. Are these benefits to the middle or poor class?
Can distribution of pulses, sugar and other commodities through limited Utility Stores fulfil the needs of 160 million of Pakistan? The government policy should have ensured that commodities on discount are available on general stores at Muhalla level rather to depend on Utility Stores, which ultimately will not meet the need of millions of people.