The 'aam admi' (common man) on Friday gave his thumbs-up to the Union Budget 2008-09, in which, apparently with an eye on elections, a large number of sops have been announced for the middle class and the farmers.

"It's a good Budget. Though personally I will not gain much, hopefully we will not get to hear of any more suicides amongst farmers," said Aditya Bandhopadhyay, a financial analyst with a public sector undertaking.

An employee with an international firm in Delhi, Amit Basu, has reasons to smile after having witnessed the Budget presentation by Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

"This Budget is pro-poor and pro-middle class. I am happy as I know that this time I will be able to buy a car," he said, referring to the tax cuts on cars. Basu also welcomed the increase in the income tax exemption limits.

Housewife Arti Singh said she was happy for her daughter as she would not have to pay income tax now after the increase in the exemption limit for women from Rs 1.4 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh per year.

"She puts up all alone, toils it out in a completely unknown city and then has to pay a huge chunk of her income as tax. At least she is saved from paying her hard earned money as tax now," she said.

"It is a middle-class Budget. I will not have to give much as taxes. And I will also be able to see my maid send her daughter to school. The Finance Minister has not annoyed or pleased anyone much in this Budget," said Archana Gupta, a schoolteacher.

However, there were others who wondered whether the Budget would result in any difference in the prices of essential commodities. "How much less will 'atta' (wheat flour) or rice cost me? That is what I am more concerned about," said Sharmila Mohanty, a housewife.

There were also some others who showed complete indifference to the Union Budget. "Budgets come and go. Every year there is so much hype about the Budget. But how does it actually affect our lives," said Anish Chaudhary, a medical representative. "It is all about working hard to earn a living. There is nothing like a free lunch," he said.

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