After the BJP lost three crucial state polls last year, speculation is rife that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government will announce massive relief for farmers as general polls are due by May. The government is likely to keep the budget focused on immediate relief such as easing income tax rules, favourable loan terms for small businesses, farm loan waiver and even direct cash transfers to farmers who are under debt. Farmers are hopeful that a loan waiver and a direct cash transfer scheme will be immensely helpful.