Budget 2022: Expensive umbrellas stir social media, netizens say unfair to middle-class

The Union Budget 2022 came with a slew of reforms. As expected some items were rendered expensive, some had significant tax reductions. Among the many developments, a 20 per cent increase in duty on umbrellas led to a barrage of reactions from netizens.

With umbrellas the quintessential symbol of middle-class living turning costly, netizens rued the price rise calling it unfair to the middle class. The development triggered a meme fest and some thought-provoking inputs from netizens.

Why the umbrellas?
The increased excise duty on umbrellas made several users ask whether the Finance Minister had a personal beef with the object. Some even took a jibe at the Budget which prominently featured several perks for digitalisation by asking if people should opt for digital umbrellas.


Journalist and activist Sucheta Dalal went on to ask if the government thought that umbrellas were obsolete due to work-from-home.
"What does FM have against Umbrellas? Hiked tax including in accessories! Huh?? You think people can get a digital umbrella in the rains? Or not needed due to WFH so businesses may as well wind up? #MonsoonBlues being felt already," tweeted Dalal.
The announcement also led to many users claiming the significance of the umbrella. Some users, unable to comprehend the implications of the Budget, went on to comment on the arbitrariness of price rise.
Another, Twitter user lamented that now with the increased excise duty the comfort of umbrellas will be distant for the middle-class.
Some Twitter users accorded umbrellas utmost priority in their lives.
Along with umbrellas, other items that got dearer include parts of electronic toys, imitation jewellery, smart metres, solar cells, solar modules, X-ray machines, loudspeakers, imported headphones, etc. On the other hand, mobile phone parts, electronics, cut and polished diamond stones, and other gemstones are likely to be cheaper.