Rahul Haldar

The annual unveiling of the Indian Union Budget is a highly anticipated event, akin to a national stock-taking exercise. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's 2025 budget was no exception, generating both excitement and skepticism, particularly concerning its implications for the burgeoning Indian middle class. While the headline announcement of zero tax for incomes up to ₹12 lakhs per annum grabbed attention, a closer examination reveals a complex picture, raising questions about the budget's long-term vision and its ability to truly uplift this vital segment of society. A History of Aspirations: The Middle Class in India India's middle class, a diverse group encompassing professionals, small business owners, and salaried employees, has long been the engine of its economic growth. They are the consumers, the investors, and the taxpayers who fuel the nation's progress. Historically, this segment has carried a significant tax burden, often feeling squeezed between th...

A Tale of Two Cities: Coimbatore and Agra, and the Unseen Costs of GST In the vibrant city of Coimbatore, nestled amidst the Nilgiri Hills, a seemingly innocuous remark about buns and cream ignited a firestorm that reverberated through the corridors of power. Srinivasan, the president of the Coimbatore Hoteliers' Association, found himself in the crosshairs of the government's ire for daring to question the logic of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate structure. His crime? Pointing out the absurdity of zero GST on buns but an 18% GST on cream. A simple observation that resonated with countless consumers and businesses alike, yet one that was deemed too audacious for the ears of the Finance Minister. Meanwhile, in the historic city of Agra, home to the iconic Taj Mahal, shoe traders took to the streets in protest against the 12% GST rate on shoes. Their livelihoods hanging in the balance, they pleaded for a reduction to 5%, fearing that the current rate was driving them to rui...