Expectations from Budget 2013: Reuters India website surveyExpectations from Budget 2013: Reuters India website survey

1. Interest payments up to 150,000 rupees on home loans are exempt from tax. Do you think this should be raised?

Interest payments up to 150,000 rupees on home loans are exempt from tax. Do you think this should be raised? Yes, to 200,000 rupees

Yes, to 300,000 rupees

Should not be changed

This exemption should be abolished

2. Currently, annual income up to 200,000 rupees is exempt from tax. Should this limit be raised?

Currently, annual income up to 200,000 rupees is exempt from tax. Should this limit be raised? Yes, to 300,000 rupees

Yes, to 350,000 rupees

No, should be reduced to 180,000 rupees

Should not be changed

3. Tax exemption under section 80C (for products such as insurance, PPF) is capped at 100,000 rupees. Do you think this should be changed?

Tax exemption under section 80C (for products such as insurance, PPF) is capped at 100,000 rupees. Do you think this should be changed? Yes, to 150,000 rupees

Yes, to 120,000 rupees

Should not be changed

More products should be eligible under 80C (like infra bonds)

4. India roughly spends about 2.5 percent of its GDP on subsidies -- mainly fuel, food and fertiliser. What should be the strategy to fight India’s deficit woes?

India roughly spends about 2.5 percent of its GDP on subsidies -- mainly fuel, food and fertiliser. What should be the strategy to fight India’s deficit woes? Reduce overall subsidies

Increase food subsidies

Increase overall subsidies to help the common man

Retain subsidies at current level

5. India’s defence budget is pegged at 1.93 trillion rupees (2012-13). What should be the finance minister’s outlook for the defence sector?

India’s defence budget is pegged at 1.93 trillion rupees (2012-13). What should be the finance minister’s outlook for the defence sector? India should spend less on defence

With two nuclear-armed neighbours, India should go for big-ticket military purchases

India should focus on other sectors before concentrating on defence

6. . The 2012-13 health sector outlay was 344.88 billion rupees, but the public health system in India is still substandard. What should the finance minister do to boost the ailing sector?

. The 2012-13 health sector outlay was 344.88 billion rupees, but the public health system in India is still substandard. What should the finance minister do to boost the ailing sector? Double budget allocation for health sector

Build more hospitals across the country

Improve the doctor-patient ratio

Allocate more funds for R&D in medicine

7. Currently, income tax brackets are pegged at 10 percent, 20 percent and 30 percent. The finance minister’s comments last month have fuelled speculation over whether the rich would be taxed more. Which income bracket should define the super rich?

Currently, income tax brackets are pegged at 10 percent, 20 percent and 30 percent. The finance minister’s comments last month have fuelled speculation over whether the rich would be taxed more. Which income bracket should define the super rich? Above 1 crore rupees

Above 2 crore rupees

No extra tax on anyone above the present bracket

8. According to you, which of the following is routinely ignored in the national budget?

According to you, which of the following is routinely ignored in the national budget? Sanitation

Environment

Cottage industry

Others

9. With elections a year away, do you think Chidambaram will be able to deliver a budget that will please voters, boost growth and control deficits?

With elections a year away, do you think Chidambaram will be able to deliver a budget that will please voters, boost growth and control deficits? It will be a populist budget to please voters

No, Chidambaram will announce some harsh steps

Chidambaram will be able to strike a balance

10. What are your overall expectations from Budget 2013. Share your views below:

What are your overall expectations from Budget 2013. Share your views below: