Prices of cooking gas, essential items must not be hiked, says Mrs Sinha

R Vaidehi in New Delhi

A white notice board bearing the legend: "As the Finance Minister is busy with the Budget, he will be unable to meet the public" hangs outside the bungalow on 6, Kushak Marg, New Delhi.

There are, indeed, no visitors at the residence of Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, which seems enveloped in a disconcerting calm.

Nilima Sinha, wife of Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, however is very much around. And during these pre-Budget days seems almost as stressed as her husband. She knows the people's expectations and feels the strain. And as most of the talk around her household pertains to economy and finance, she's more than a silent spectator when it comes to the Budget.

Yet, in her own quiet way, she tries to provide a positive influence, making suggestions and allaying doubts. "He doesn't ask me for any advice, but I keep telling him," as she had said laughingly the last year.

No, she does not feel the Budget is for the business and the investor community only. "I do care a lot," she says. Yet, for all that she is not your average housewife and finds it a bit difficult to 'represent' an average Indian family.

She says she would not like her husband imposing an increase in the price of cooking gas, for instance, as it directly affects and middle class families.

Nilima Sinha is a writer of children's books and president of the Association of Writers and Illustrators of Children. She has written more than 24 books for children, including history-based fiction.

In a small tete a tete, the 62-year-old 'home minister' of India's finance minister spoke about her expectations and how she and her husband cope with the stress of the days preceding the Budget.

As the wife of the finance minister what is your Budget wish-list?

I wish this Budget will have reforms for rural India. I have been visiting my husband's constituency Hazaribagh in Jharkhand during the last few years. I would like to see the quality of life for the people there improve. I feel the rural sector desperately needs a big push. Small economic gestures won't be enough. Now is the time to do so before villagers give up hope.

Also, price hikes that directly affect the common man should not be introduced.

Is Mr Sinha stressed during the Union Budget preparation? How does he conduct himself at home during this time?

"I should be very frank. He gets angry very easily and tends to be irritable during the Budget preparations. He seems highly stressed.

He comes home very late and hardly eats anything.

He virtually locks himself in his study, while I prepare special meals (non-spicy and less oily these days).

Till recently he also was taking his own calls and meeting visitors.

Does he talk to you about the problems you face as a housewife?

Yes, very much so. I stoutly oppose increase in cooking gas prices. Essential items should not be taxed.

He speaks a lot to the officials on taxation proposals. I don't want him troubled in any way during these days.

Does the Budget really affect you?

"Naturally. I am upset when prices increase. But then I'm told that mostly price-hikes are effected only because things couldn't be helped."

How good are you at managing personal financial affairs?

I don't like to spend too much money. I save whatever I've earned by writing children's books, which isn't much. Earlier, when my husband was with the administrative service and the kids were young, money was tight. I would spend my money mostly on them. Now I buy gifts for my grandchildren. I buy books for myself.

I'm a simple woman, with no extravagant tastes. Whenever I have to invest, I consult my husband, though I find it convenient to put my savings in fixed deposits.

On his return home what does Sinha do on the day of presentation of Budget?

He drives from one news channel studio to another and returns home very late in the night.

No one knows that February 28 is my birthday. Though he loves me a lot, the Budget prevents him from showering his affection and time on me. I too keep quiet, understanding the immense responsibility he has to shoulder.

I'll see him presenting the Budget from the Speaker's gallery for the fifth time now. He has already presented four, full-length Union budgets, all of which I have watched.

Are you nervous when he presents the Budget?

Yes, I am nervous just before the Budget is to be presented. Isn't it natural? Though Yashwant-ji takes his own decisions, he likes to talk to me. He's confident and doesn't need any preparation for the presentation. He's also totally discreet about what he's going to do.

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