Asset declaration is an occasional election feature that seeks to bring out through a question-and-answer session whether lives have changed for the better or the worse in the past five years

Sajjad Khan, a wholesale dealer of bangles in Firozabad city, has been in this profession for the last 30 years. While his earnings have increased marginally, expenses have also gone up

Name & Age: Sajjad Khan, 50

Education & Profession: Graduation; businessman

Family & Place: Eight members; Firozabad, UP

Do you earn more or less, compared with 2019?

My economic condition has worsened in the last five years. Things have turned bad after demonetisation

Do you save more or less compared with 2019?

I am unable to save anything these days. Expenses have gone up because of increase in my children’s school fees, while my income has gone up very marginally in the last two years. Before 2016, I was saving ₹4-5 lakh a year, that has gradually declined. I survived 2020 and 2021 on my savings

What things does your house now have that it did not in 2019?

Nothing. I am spending a major portion of my income on my children’s education

What things does your neighbourhood have that it did not in 2019?

There has been no development in our neighbourhood. There is no proper drainage and sewage system in the city and the roads are narrow

Have central/state govt schemes made any difference to your life?

Not exactly. If the govt can provide health insurance coverage to bangle workers, it will be of great help

Do you encounter more corruption or less in your daily life? Can you cite from personal experience areas where you are directly affected by corruption?

Corruption is as same as before and we face it in government offices

Firozabad voted on May 7