Some reject the budget, criticize the STT and the lack of safety measures for women

3 minutes of readingPuneFebruary 2, 2026 01:01 am

Not everyone is applauding the Union Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Sunday. Leading the way are stock market traders and investors, who are deeply disappointed by the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) budget increase. Even women’s organizations seem to be unhappy with the budget as it does not include their security measures.

”The increase of STT in Union Budget It has clearly been a disappointment for day traders, investors and foreign institutions. A higher STT sends a mixed message to equity investors,” said Gaurav Bora, a stock market expert.

Bora said STT directly impacts business costs. “Whether retail participants, high-frequency traders or institutional investors, each transaction becomes marginally more expensive. Over time, this reduces trading volumes, impacts liquidity and can dampen overall market participation in benchmark indices such as the ingenious 50 and BSE Sensex”he said, adding that the measure is negative for the stock market.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) compare India with other emerging markets. If transaction costs rise without corresponding structural benefits, it could reduce India’s relative attractiveness.

Small scale industries do not seem to be entirely happy. “While we welcome the general budget, it must be mentioned that there is no relief in income tax. Similarly, the GST on vehicles has not been reduced. While the import tax on vehicles from the European Union has been reduced, the same benefit has not been extended to the local market by reducing the GST. The government has not provided a level playing field for the local industry,” said Sandeep Belsare, president of Pimpri-Chinchwad Small Scale Industries Association.

Similarly, Durga Bhor, president of Pimpri Chinchwad Small Scale Women Entrepreneurs Association, said: “This year’s budget seems to focus on women and youth, which is certainly a welcome move. However, along with this optimism, there is a feeling of regret that certain expectations remain unfulfilled. More concrete measures for women’s safety were expected, particularly with regard to safe public transport and women-only transport facilities in urban and From a health perspective, the basic need for clean and safe public toilets remains unaddressed in many places. “Construction of high-quality toilets for women along national highways, in industrial areas and in markets should have been a top priority which is missing from the budget.”

Echoing the sentiments, Amika Limbu, a northeast resident and frequent visitor to Punesaid, “I welcome the Finance Minister’s proposals to build a girls’ hostel in every district of the country. I would like to urge that more attention be paid to the safety of women, especially in the northeastern part of our country. Every time I am in Pune, I am reminded of the attacks on fellow citizens of the northeast. I demand that police stations for northeastern citizens and helplines be set aside in every district of the country, even in places like Pune, Bombay and Delhi should be established.”

Manoj Dattatrye More is a senior editor at The Indian Express and has been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career spanning editorial work, investigative reporting and political analysis. Inherited professional experience: Spent his first 16 years in the newsroom before moving into active field reporting. He has written more than 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact journalism: It is widely respected for its “campaign-style” reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road safety: Its decade-long campaign on the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a Rs 23-crore reconstruction project in 2006, which drastically reduced deaths. Environment Protection: His reports against felling of trees on Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam in which doctors were asked to pay bribes for government positions, resulting in them being hired without pay. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More’s recent work largely focuses on the changing political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Changes and Alliances “Ajit Pawar’s NCP continues dominance in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies” (December 21, 2025) – An important report on self-governance election results local, detailing the NCP stronghold in Baramati, Indapur and Lonavala. “BJP arrests 13 former corporators, deals a blow to NCP” (December 20, 2025): Report on major political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as BJP prepares for civic elections. “Congress opts for solo BMC management as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse” (December 17, 2025): Covers breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for Mumbai civic elections. “NCP (SP)’s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere to join BJP” (December 19, 2025) – Details high-profile party changes ahead of municipal elections. 2. Civic and Administrative Responsibility “PCMC draws anger for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before election code” (December 17, 2025) – A research paper on Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute overspending before election restrictions. “93 dead in 76 accidents in five years: Ring road service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 years” (November 16, 2025) – A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to deaths on Pune ring roads. 3. Social and labor issues “As state says, TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE figures say nearly 2,500 were forced to resign” (December 11, 2025): Investigation into conflicting reports on layoffs in IT sector in Maharashtra. “Maharashtra govt takes steps to ‘downgrade’ Aadhaar cards” (November 30, 2025): Report on state’s decision to require additional documents along with Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice of Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by an aggressive stance against local “gondaism” (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure: clogged sewers, garbage management and public transportation. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 …Read more

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