Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his team has received over 3,800 public suggestions for Union Budget 2016-17, including requests to re-jig the income-tax slabs, exemption of interest income from bank deposits, higher allocation to education, and measures for job creation.

As part of its “People as Partners” initiative to infuse more transparency into the Budget-making exercise, the Finance Ministry had invited suggestions on the Union Budget 2016-17 on the portal www.mygov.in. The last date for such comments is January 29.

Personal finance issues relating particularly to the middle class were a common theme.

A popular demand is a rejig in the income tax slabs and increasing the threshold to ₹5 lakh from ₹2.5 lakh, as well as higher exemptions for senior citizens.

Many have also advocated a higher tax slab of 40 per cent for individuals earning over ₹30 lakh annually.

Small savings schemes are also a big talking point with many seeking a higher investment limit under Section 80 C of the Income Tax Act, others have called for an E-E-E status for the National Pension System while many have demanded tax exemption on interest income from fixed deposits.

An increase in the medical reimbursement limit of ₹15,000 is also a popular demand while abolishing service tax if not completely then at least on payment of utility bills and insurance premium has also been suggested.

But, conscious of the fact that government revenue also needs to be bolstered, taxpayers have suggested more stringent action against tax evaders and measures to recover black money, apart from taxing high-income farmers and landlords.

The Centre’s plan to incentivise debit and credit card payments has also got a thumbs-up from the public.

Government payouts to national carrier Air India have been seen as a waste of funds, which should instead be used for education or health.

“Running an airline that benefits a few elite is not how I would like to spend my tax money,” said a commentator.

Higher allocations for health and nutrition schemes and agriculture and measures to improve productivity and irrigation have also been sought.

Significantly, the demand for better education opportunities and employment is also high on the wish-lists of citizens for the Modi government which fought the General Elections on the agenda of development.

“Pump more money into education as education is the key to growth of economy and a better life. Primary government schools have poor infrastructure and very poor teachers,” was a common refrain.

Citizens have suggested mandatory annual donations to the Army. Suggestions have also poured in for streamlining or removing the direct benefit transfer for cooking gas.

“The person owning a car should not be entitled to any king of subsidy,” said a commentator.

But indicative of the lip-service of such initiatives, the most straightforward suggestion was made by one citizen who said the government should sincerely go through the suggestions and try to implement at least some of them!