It's disheartening to see that the governments both at the Centre and the States have failed miserably in controlling prices of commodities of mass consumption. Life has become very difficult what with sugar being sold at Rs.50/- a kg. and other commodities beyond the means of an average wage earner. There is also not a silver lining in the horizon for any dramatic change. Crude prices are going up, the petroleum ministry has already sounded on major increases in the prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG.
Therefore, the only relief which the Govt. can give is by way of increasing the tax exemption limit to say Rs.5 lac and for the senior citizens to Rs.6 lac. The senior citizens have to pay through their nose for medical expenses like hospitalisation. Mediclaim policies, it appears, are meant for youngsters. For the senior citizens, the rate premium is too high which dissuades them from getting a mediclaim policy.
