From Kitchen to Kirana: Homemakers Pin Hopes on Budget 2026–27 for Relief from Rising Household Costs
Homemakers seek Budget 2026 relief from rising costs.
With the Union Budget 2026–27 around the corner, millions of homemakers are recalculating household expenses amid rising costs of groceries, cooking gas, healthcare, and utilities. While headline inflation appears under control, the “felt inflation” in day-to-day household budgets continues to weigh heavily, particularly in middle- and lower-income families.
In cities like Delhi and Lucknow, homemakers report meticulous budgeting to cope with fluctuating prices. Essentials such as vegetables, milk, and cooking oil have become unpredictable, forcing families to cut discretionary spending on fruits, packaged foods, and other items. “Even if inflation slows, our expenses remain high,” said homemaker Salochna Gupta from Punjab.
Against this backdrop, homemakers are looking to the upcoming Budget for targeted relief. Key expectations include tax cuts for the middle class, higher returns on small savings schemes, rationalisation of GST on daily essentials, and measures to stabilise food prices. Increased disposable income, whether through tax savings or higher interest earnings, is seen as a direct buffer for household finances.
Also Read: Bihar Migrant Deaths in Chhattisgarh Blast Revive Unemployment Crisis
Financial experts note that the economy is in a relatively healthy position, with CPI inflation around 1–1.5%. However, economists also caution that budgets rarely make essential items cheaper directly, and any price relief is likely to come through import duty adjustments rather than direct interventions. Homemakers argue that these macro-level measures rarely translate to relief in daily household expenses.
GST rationalisation remains a top priority for households. Homemakers hope that the government will reduce GST on frequently purchased items such as detergents, packaged foods, and sanitary products. While recent GST reforms have eased prices somewhat, even modest reductions can provide meaningful relief for families managing tight budgets.
Beyond fiscal measures, homemakers also seek continued support for welfare programs, LPG subsidies, and employment generation to ensure stable household incomes. Their expectations from Budget 2026–27 are pragmatic: modest tax relief, stable prices, and policies that recognize the critical role homemakers play in managing the nation’s smallest economic unit—the household.
