Progressive in intent but short on immediate relief: Hyderabadis

A year after a Budget that won quick approval for its tax cuts, Union Budget 2026 has drawn a more muted response in Hyderabad, with citizens calling it progressive in intent but short on immediate relief.

While the emphasis on long-term economic growth, infrastructure spending and fiscal discipline has found support, the absence of changes to income tax slabs or the standard deduction has left many salaried taxpayers disappointed.

“This means my monthly take-home salary remains the same despite rising rent and fuel costs in Hyderabad,” said Sai Prasad, a private employee from Hafeezpet. The pressure on middle class households remained unchanged. Big capital expenditure may improve infrastructure and create technology jobs, but affordable housing has been left out. Growth is important, but the middle class needs breathing space too, he said.

For some residents, the Budget dampened near-term personal plans. Richa Rao, 36, a businesswoman from Bachupally, said her hopes of buying a home had been pushed further away. “By mid-2025, I had saved enough to seriously consider purchasing a house. I was expecting some relief, or at least a small push, but to my surprise the budget did not touch on affordable housing,” she said.

Others found small but tangible gains. Kaushik M.S., 28, a private employee from Amberpet, said the proposed increase in cigarette prices had unexpectedly strengthened his resolve to quit smoking. “My New Year resolution didn’t even last through January. Maybe the price hike will finally help me restart my 2026 resolution in February,” he laughed.

For Surender Rao, 63, a retired banker from Secunderabad, the reduction in tax collected at source on overseas remittances brought relief. “Sending money abroad for my son’s education in the US had become unnecessarily expensive. With the rate coming down, paying his semester fees, which is due in a month, will be easier,” he said.

Beyond traditional sectors, residents welcomed the recognition of the content creation ecosystem. Priya, a college student from Secunderabad, said the announcement of AVGC content creator labs gave her renewed hope. “I’ve been making videos for YouTube and social media, but structured training was missing. This reform makes a career in this field feel more realistic and acceptable at home,” she said.

Announcements on high-speed rail connectivity linking Hyderabad with growth centres such as Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai also struck a chord, reinforcing the city’s role as a regional economic anchor.