The Hindu Business Line : "What the readers want"

Agriculture should be given top priority in the Budget. Heavy investment should be made in agricultural infrastructure. Subsidy provided to the fertiliser manufacturers should be paid directly to the farmers. Subsidy should not be confined to the chemical fertilisers alone. It should cover seeds, organic manures, pesticides, implements and power tillers.

Instead of supplying subsidised kerosene, sugar, rice and edible oils to the poor, they may be paid a monthly allowance of Rs 100 per family by crediting the amount directly to their bank account.

The period for capital gain exemption should be reduced from one year to three months. This will encourage investors to switch over from one stock to another frequently. This will result in increased turnover in the stock exchanges thereby bringing more revenue to the government by way of STT. The schemes for developing infrastructure at the local level may be financed by the public directly. The contributions to such schemes should enjoy income tax exemption without any limits. The schemes may be formulated by the government, local bodies or by the approved NGOs. The public would have the satisfaction of seeing their money used for specific projects.

S.R. Perumal, Coimbatore

Clear policy for NRIs

The Government should have a clear policy regarding non-resident Indians instead of making announcements each year during the Pravasi Divas. Interest rates on FCNR deposits should be frozen for a given period rather than adjust them along with domestic deposit rates. Tax incentives, dual citizenship, policies on immigration should be addressed. With a dedicated Minister for NRI Affairs, this is the best time to handle this issue. In my opinion, the hospitality industry needs lot of attention. Sops to attract tourists would send a green signal to visitors from abroad.

Sivakumar,

Marketing Manager

(Sales Administration & Reporting)

Mittal Steel South Africa.

(Send in your budget wish list (in about 200 words) with a brief profile of yourself and a digital photograph, which may be published, to wishlist2007@thehindu.co.in)