The Union Budget

I switch on the TV eagerly. The finance minister is walking up the steps of the Parliament. She is about to present the union budget.

“I think it is a silk sari. Is that color magenta?” my wife said.

“What?” I reply.

I am more worried about that folder she has in her hand. It is the budget. The Indian Government is presenting its annual budget. All the taxes and rebates come in it. It is usually more taxes and no rebates. 

“She has a preference for saris that represent our cultural heritage,” my wife said.

“Shh,” I said, increasing the TV volume. 

The finance minister’s speech was about to start.

Ten minutes later, she stepped into the main part of the speech.
“Telecom goods-BCD increased from 10% to 15% on PCBA of specified telecom equipment…” the sound from the TV speaker was echoing in the room.

“What does BCD mean?” my wife asked.

“It means, something to do with telecom goods.”

“Do you know, or are you just guessing?”

I did not answer, but concentrated on what was being said.

“Fish-Reduced BCD on fish feed and shrimp to 5%” the TV announced.

“Again BCD. You said it had something to do with telecom goods. What has telecom got to do with fish?”

I was stumped.

 I had barely cleared math in my X th standard exams and switched to history for my graduation. All the talk about percentages and BCD’s was too complicated for me. 

“I think it is magenta,” I said.

“What?” 

“The color,” I said. 

I changed the channel to Netflix. It was a murder mystery re-run. 

This was something I could understand.