Photograph: AP

The Fin Min seems to have heeded your wishes, Preity.

Here are the budget highlights that speak of some perks for the fairer sex:

i. The income tax slab (the level, to which the income isn't taxable) has been raised from Rs 110,000 to Rs 150,000 for everyone, but for women, it is more. This means you don't need to pay tax up to Rs 180,000!

ii. The Ministry of Women and Child Development gets a budgetary allocation of RS 7,200 crore. It means more facilities and amenities especially for women and mothers. Also, there is a 24 per cent increase in child development money. Better for your children.

iii. The excise duty on small cars has come down from 16 percent earlier, to 12 percent. The dream of owning a car of your own (and not the 'family' car that you never get to drive) may just become a reality now.

iv. Thinking of getting a water purifier? It won't burn a hole in your pocket any more. The excise duty on water purifiers has been halved, from 16 per cent to 12 per cent.

v. If you are a small-scale service provider or work for one, good news for you. The Service Tax threshold for small service providets has gone up to Rs 10,00,000 from Rs 800,000.

vi. There will be a Rs 500 crore corpus fund to subsidise all women Self Help Groups (SHGs). The SHGs are groups formed by women, who contribute and pool money every month and then help each other set up small-scale business or educate the children better.

Haven't caught up with the Railway Budget yet? Here are some special points the women should note down:

i. Great news for Mumbai girl students. Those commuting by local trains will get a free ride till they graduate college!

ii. Hitting the menopausal 50s is not so bad any more. Your train fares will be halved the day you become 50. So go ahead. Use your children-free time to travel around incredible India!