Page 34 - Budget 2026 News

FinMin to review flagship schemes with PSB chiefs ahead of Budget

The meeting aims to review the progress of various financial inclusion schemes and discuss future funding requirements in light of the upcoming Budget

Budget for outcomes: Governance and financing reforms hold the key

The challenges to inclusion need to be addressed head on with governance changes and higher untied funding with community accountability and ownership

Budget 2025: Gems, jewellery sector urges govt to reduce GST to 1%

The industry apex body said there is a need to introduce a concessional GST rate for lab-grown diamonds to fully recognise their sustainable and cost-effective attributes compared to natural diamonds

As Census looms after years of delay, questions over expenditure persist

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also expected to gather up the unspent capex and allocation for the current fiscal to push for a massive spending effort in FY26

45 mn VVPAT slips counted, not a single discrepancy found: CEC Kumar

The CEC also pointed out that any minor errors, such as technical glitches in some of the older machines or mock poll data not being cleared, are handled with precision

Industry leaders seek affordable housing, duty relief at pre-Budget meet

The housing and infrastructure sectors were represented by leaders such as Hiranandani Group, Afcons, L&T, and GMR Group

Trade unions urge FM to prioritise jobs, 8th Pay Commission, MGNREGA boost

The unions further demanded an increase in the income tax exemption rebate limit to Rs 10 lakh per annum and a social security scheme for gig workers

Jobs, growth, demand in focus as FinMin concludes pre-Budget talks

The Union Budget for FY 2025-26 assumes significance as it comes on the back of lower than expected growth numbers in the second quarter and geopolitical uncertainty

Budget 2025: Plastics manufacturers seek PLI to scale up global presence

They have also sought lowering of GST to 5%, from 18%, on the conversion cost of recycled plastic granules, and providing a 20% subsidy to purchase capital equipment for recycling

CII proposes seven-point agenda to boost employment generation in budget

It has proposed an integrated national employment policy which could subsume under its ambit the slew of employment generating schemes currently in works by various ministries/states

Union Budget 2025: Apparel exporters seek tax incentives to boost shipments

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has also requested that an interest equalization rate of 5 per cent be announced in the Budget, scheduled to be unveiled on February 1

Centre pushes transfer to states to meet capital expenditure goals

Experts feel despite government efforts there has been a lag in capex pick up but there is a good case for continued push towards such expenditure

Budget wishlist: Pharma firms seek simplified taxes, stronger PLI scheme

Among other demands is the removal of Section 194R related to marketing samples that would ease business operations

NBFCs seek reforms in pre-budget talks to boost liquidity, ease challenges

One of the primary requests made by the FIDC was for a reduction in the loan amount threshold for enforcing security interest under the SARFAESI Act, from Rs 20 lakh to just Rs 1 lakh

Budget 2025-26 must prioritise defence and security over welfare schemes

India's growing external and internal threats demand urgent shifts in fiscal focus to strengthen defence, policing, and cyber capabilities

Budget 2025-26: India Post may get funds for tech-driven transformation

In FY25, the Union government had made a budgetary allocation of Rs 250 crore for India Post

Budget: Experts push for higher health, edu fund, duty cuts on cancer care

A key demand discussed in the meeting was the reduction of customs duty and other levies on the import of radiation machines used to treat cancer

Industry seeks tax relief, capex boost, reforms at FinMin's pre-budget meet

Industry representatives stressed that, given the uncertainty caused by persisting global headwinds, government's focus on public capex in physical, social, and digital infrastructure will be crucial

Budget wishlist: Mutual fund industry seeks tax relief on debt schemes

Easing of taxation crucial for financialisation of savings, says Amfi

India's housing market in de-growth phase, pins hopes on upcoming Budget

The de-growth in the Indian housing market came after three straight years of stellar growth