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A helpful Budget not going all the way: Public
View(s):
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in full flow
The Public’s reactions to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s Budget 2016 were mixed. The Government focused on Economic reforms and granted allowances to farmers, public sector officers and others. It also introduced fixed prices for essential items such as food and gas. Here’s what the people had to say:
Anthony
Thisera- A farmer from Sigiriya:
“I have been involved in paddy cultivation for the past 15 years. As a farmer, I am happy with the Government’s Budgetary allocations. The fertilizer subsidy scheme and the cash grant of Rs 25,000 to farmers is well appreciated.
“Building of new warehouses will also empower farmers across the country. At present we do not earn more by selling excess produce to the government.”
Chaminda Widanarachige (43)-
An official at the Manning Market:
Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan discussing the proposals with colleagues
“We do not see a considerable reduction in the prices of essential items such as dhal, rice, tea and gas, as announced in the Budget. During the previous government, prices of these items were the same. What these people did was to increase the prices and then decrease it to the old prices through the Budget.”
H.E. Piyasiri- Three-wheeler driver and taxi service operator from
Colombo Fort:
“I’m not happy with this year’s Budget. We did not get any relief. Petrol is still very expensive despite World Fuel Prices being low.
“The Government has imposed an additional fine of Rs 10,000 for damage of public property in case of an accident. In addition to this, it has increased the Emission Test charge to Rs 5,000. How can an average three-wheeler driver bear such payments? The Government is now relying on taxes to work.”
Shantha Hettiarachchi (52)- Three-wheeler driver from Colombo Fort:
“I do not like the introduction of fixed prices for food items. Before, when there was excess food their prices dropped. But now, it will stay the same. There is no relief to the consumers by this.
“What we see from this Budget is that the Government has given more priority to foreign businesses than the local sector.”
Sunimal Dharmasiri- Government servant from Dehiwala:
“The Minister was not clear about the Budget when he said the Emission Test fee is increased to Rs 5,000 from Rs 1,600. I own motorcycles and do not know if I also have to pay the same amount. If so, it is unfair to three-wheeler and motorcycle owners. This fee is very high for low-income families. Government has not taken low income families into consideration when preparing this Budget.”
Mohammed Anifa (61)- Hotel cashier at Fort Railway Station:
Prime Minister Ranil Wickrememsinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena at the members’ canteen
“I think the reduction in prices of food is a good decision, but the question is when the Government will actually start doing it. There was no improvement in our living standards for the past 11 months, and people are not financially stable.
“The price of canned fish is controlled at Rs 125, but when a supermarket or a retail shop holds an old stock with fixed prices, vendors are reluctant to sell at MRP. Also when the prices of food decrease the quality would also decrease, especially of fish.”
Nadarasa Balu (48)- A consumer at Manning Market:
“Because of the long-term economic plan, people feel more confident about the country’s finances than they did after last year’s Budget. Consumers spend a lot on essential items such as food. The Government has made many changes to the public’s day-to-day consumption items.
“A MRP of Rs 110 for “Katta”- a dry fish, is appreciated. Low-income people cannot afford chicken and fresh fish every day, so this is a good move. However, the State should do regular checks to see if these food items are sold at these prices.”
Vasanthakumari Benjamin (52)-
Resident of Wattala:
“Budget 2016 reflects the Government’s new dimension in national economic policy within the framework of good governance and transparency. The Government has imposed maximum taxation on tobacco, liquor and casino sectors. So, I believe, there will be fewer nuisances in the country. I think Budget 2016 has good proposals.”
Irin Rajapakshe (55)- Senior
teacher at an International School
in Colombo:
Minister Karunanayake arrives to read out the Budget proposals
“Allocation of Rs 1,000 million to provide a two-year full time training to teachers is a respectable decision made by the Government. Some teachers have difficulty speaking English when they come from the village and join an International school in the city.
“We are only concerned with the facilities in urban schools, but none of us are sensitive to the status of rural schools. The facilities of those schools also need to improve, as they are also the citizens of the country. I hope that President Maithripala’s regime will do better than previous regimes.”
T. Thileepan (26)- Employee of a leading car company:
“Many don’t register their vehicles because they need to take revenue licences every year. Some people actually find it cheaper to risk being fined under the former arrangements, than to actually pay the registration fee — the fine was less than the registration fee. The Government should fine the owner of the vehicles a large amount for non-registration.
“I think, progressively, we will find the number of accidents will start to come down as people are caught on a more routine
basis.”
-Kasun Warakapitiya and Anushiya Sathisraja
