Voices

Rajesh Verma Marketing manager "The middle class has no representation," he laments. "Now we’ll be forced to earn something on the side. They are forcing the honest citizen to join the black economy."

M.S. Rajagopalan Corporate executive "We are the most tolerant section. To have a budget that’s harsh in such difficult times when the market is down is the unkindest cut of all," rues the father of two.

Hemant Chauhan Hotel executive "A quarter of my family income has been hit," he says. "My resolve to emigrate has only become stronger. It’s becoming more and more difficult to maintain a standard of living."

Ranjeev Dubey Corporate lawyer "The goalposts are moved every year," he says. "But if liberalisation is all about access, where is it? For those of us in the mid-40s, choice is getting limited."