Promising more money in the hands of households by hiking the income tax exemption limit and lowering tax surcharge for corporates, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday presented the general budget for the next fiscal with a fair dose of reforms and steps to curb inflation, check corruption and push growth.

Seemingly aware of the elections due soon in five states and of general negative perception on issues such as graft and lack of reforms, the finance minister also proposed higher outlays for health, infrastructure education and farming, as also new subsidy schemes that will give money directly to users of fertilisers and kerosene.