Housing sops will not change things for sector in any way: Andrew Holland

I like the farm income support measures though the amount was on expected lines. That said, in terms of how they have done it has been more innovative than a vanilla farm-loan waiver. So, I liked that part of it. Then there are sops for the middle class. Individual taxpayers having taxable annual income up to Rs 5 lakh will get a full tax rebate and therefore will not be required to pay any income tax. As a result, even persons having gross income up to Rs 6.50 lakh may not be required to pay any income tax if they make investments in provident funds, specified savings, insurance etc. In fact, with additional deductions such as interest on home loan up to Rs 2 lakh, interest on education loans, National Pension Scheme contributions, medical insurance, medical expenditure on senior citizens etc, persons having even higher income will not have to pay any tax.