Twitterati roots for agriculture on finance ministry's Budget poll

NEW DELHI: In an effort to make budget-making exercise more transparent and inclusive, the Finance Ministry is seeking people's views on Twitter on the focus of Budget 2017.

The ministry is running a poll on its official Twitter handle—@FinMinIndia—which is on for six more days, till January 13.

Most Twitter voters are rooting for more benefits to agriculture in Budget 2017. The choice may seem uncharacteristic of a predominantly urban class which is supposed to be less enthusiastic about rural India.

Please give your suggestions...
Which sector needs more focus in the Budget 2017-18?

— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) January 6, 2017

Of the four options given for the question—'Which sector needs more focus in Budget 2017-18?'—59 per cent have voted so far for agriculture, followed by 20 per cent for infrastructure and 13 per cent for manufacturing. IT sector, supposed to be a favourite of netizens, has been chosen by only 8 per cent so far.

More Twitter voters preferring agriculture for benefits in Budget 2017 might indicate a strong awareness among urban netizens about the sector having taken a big hit due to demonetisation.