- Took collective inputs from 200,000 citizens via LocalCircles
- Infrastructure investment was #1 priority from citizens
- Roads and Irrigation were top investment areas suggested by citizens
- 54% citizens wanted most investment in Roads, 32% citizens in irrigation
- However no relief on minimum tax and medical exemption limits
- Key citizen inputs taken in areas of agriculture, skill development, tax reforms, health sectors also find place in Budget 2016
LocalCircles, India’s largest citizen engagement platform today announced that the Government of India effectively utilized collective citizen inputs from 200,000 citizens on Budget 2016 in determining the strategy and priority areas for Budget 2016.
In a series of polls that were conducted by LocalCircles ahead of the budget, over 200,000 citizens participated in the budget prioritization exercise from over 300 cities and over 100,000 unique votes were received on the various budget questions. Below are some of the key citizen polls that had a direct impact on Budget 2016.
Q1: What should be the top overall strategy for Budget 2016?
- Drive Consumption (19%)
- Invest in Infrastructure (41%)
- Reduce Fiscal Deficit (27%)
- Reduce Taxes (13%)
Budget 2016: - Outlay of over Rs. 221,246 for Infrastructure in 2016-17
Q2: Where should be the key area for Government investments in Budget 2016?
- Roads/Highways (54%)
- Irrigation (32%)
- Health (9%)
- Security (4%)
Budget 2016: - Rs. 97,000 Crores earmarked for Roads/Highways in 2016-17
- Rs. 20,000 Crores irrigation fund under NABARD
- Rs. 86,500 Crores allocated over 5 years and Rs. 17,000 Crores in 2016-17
- 28.5 lakh hectares to be brought under irrigation
Below are some of the key citizens polls/asks that did not find their way in Budget 2016:
Q3: What should be the top tax relief priority for Budget 2016?
- Increase Income Tax Deduction (46%)
- Reduce excise on Petrol/Diesel (13%)
- Tax Rebate on Essential Services (25%)
- Elimination of all cesses (15%)
Budget 2016: - Other than elimination of some insignificant cesses, key exemption limits were not increased and taxes/cesses not reduced
Q3: What exemptions should be increased in Budget 2016?
- Education Allowance (36%)
- Medical Allowance (45%)
- Interest Deduction on Housing Loan (19%)
Budget 2016: - Medical or Education allowance or Interest Deduction on Housing Loan were not increased
In addition to the budget priorities, qualitative recommendations were made in areas of agriculture, skill development, tax reforms, health etc. Over 20 such inputs have been incorporated in Budget 2016.
About LocalCircles LocalCircles is India’s leading citizen engagement platform that connects citizens at local, city and national level to participate in governance and make their urban life better. LocalCircles has more than 1,000,000 citizens connected on it across the country. All data and poll results are an exclusive copyright of LocalCircles so please give due credit.
Photo Caption: Budget Summary - General Direction taken from Citizen Inputs, Income Tax Relief missing
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