Page 433 - Budget 2026 News

An assumption of "Achche Din"

Govt to cut bank stakes but retain majority

Market uneasy at absence of fresh capital infusion; happier at moves on autonomy, NPAs

Proposals on warehousing, marketing to improve supply

Easing of APMC regime, farmer-consumer contact, other proposals seen as positives

Now, smoking is injurious to wealth

Jaitley has proposed to raise the excise duty on cigarettes to 11-72% and the excise duty on paan masala to 16%

Steel & Mining: Jaitley adds shine to metals

But some players say the FM has tried to please stainless steel makers only by raising duty on flat-rolled products

Agriculture & Social sectors: No breaking away from the past

Slew of monetary allocations show no clear shift in strategy

Fillip for textiles, garments

Rs 50 cr allocated for trade facilitation centre and crafts museum to promote handlooms

Diamonds a cut above jewels

2.5% import duty levied on semi-processed, broken diamonds, but jewellers not as upbeat as diamond industry

Offshore funds: Foreign investors get a much-needed tax clarity

This could boost investments in the capital market

Volatile markets: Sensex swings 800 pts on B-Day

Lack of big announcements disappoints Street, but moves on manufacturing bring some respite

Tax reform: FM eases advance pricing regime

Domestic firms get access to advance price ruling; scope of Settlement Commission to be enlarged to resolve tax disputes

Jaitley misses opportunity for deeper subsidy reforms

Pins hopes on Aadhaar-based targeted subsidies, price hikes in diesel and urea

Mixed reactions in health care sector

Rs 500 crore proposed for setting up of four new AIIMS

'New panel will review all transfer pricing cases'

E-visas, travel sops for high-flyers

The finance minister announced the development of new airports in Tier-I and -II cities but gave no relief to the aviation sector in terms of lower taxes on jet fuel

Thumbs up for roads sector as budgetary support rises 13.5%

Total Plan outlay stands at Rs 37,881 cr, which includes Rs 3,000 cr for the Northeast

Finance minister bets big on disinvestment

Target more than doubled to Rs 63,425 crore

FDI in defence increased to 49%

Emphasis on indigenous research and development

Tax administration: Retrospective tax a 'sovereign right'

High-level committee to examine future such cases; experts say job half done

Plan expenditure: Modest rise in allocations

Focus on agriculture, health, education, rural roads and national highways