Page 31 - Latest Updates on Budget 2025-26

Hospitality sector awaits infrastructure status, seeks GST relief in Budget

Industry stakeholders believe that the full potential of India's travel and tourism sector remains untapped

Budget can be opportunity to boost domestic demand: Tata Motors Group CFO

At a time when the external environment is extremely cloudy, the Union Budget can look at consumption-boosting measures to push demand and drive domestic growth, Tata Motors Group CFO PB Balaji said on Wednesday. After a good festive season, demand has been weak due to a combination of factors, including tight liquidity and "not so great" market conditions although not a crisis situation, Balaji told reporters in an earnings call. Stating that there is an expectation of a gradual improvement in demand going forward with the fourth quarter being usually strong and due to the impact of infrastructure investments by the government, he said, "If, on top of it, there are consumption (boosting) measures (in the Budget), then that will help also navigate some of the not so great external situations that all of us face". "If there are a fair bit of clouds in their external horizon, what better place than to look at our internal consumption to drive it (growth) forward?" Balaji noted. Spell

Industry status for real estate a priority: Grant Thornton survey

India is poised to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2026 and achieve the $5 trillion mark by 2028, according to the pre-Budget survey

Budget 2025: Steel makers expect protectionist measures to prevent dumping

Domestic steel makers said they are expecting protectionist measures in the upcoming Budget to safeguard the sector from dumping. AMNS India CEO Dilip Oommen said he expects the government to continue its focus on infrastructure development while enhancing the ease of doing business. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the 2025-26 financial year in Parliament on February 1, 2025. JSW Steel Joint MD & CEO Jayant Acharya said a level-playing field and measures against unfair trade will be essential for maintaining growth momentum of the Indian steel industry. Synergy Steels Managing Director Anubhav Kathuria said the Budget may also consider fiscal incentives and logistical support to offset high input costs, which squeezed out margins in 2024. JSL MD Abhyuday Jindal said, "We urge the government to raise the basic customs duty on stainless steel products to 15 per cent for all non-free trade agreement countries." These steps will further strengthe

Budget 2025: Indian Railways subsidies and how they compare with Europe

Budget 2025: Indian Railways heavily subsidises train fares, particularly for senior citizens, students, and people with disabilities-but by how much?

Union Budget 2025 expectations highlights: Will Budget 2025 raise tax deductions for homebuyers?

Union Budget 2025 Latest Updates: Catch all the latest developments related to Union Budget 2025 here

Markets to remain open on Feb 1 for Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2025 speech

Union Budget 2025: Both NSE and BSE have announced that they will remain open to trade on the budget day, which falls on a Saturday this year

PM Modi may tackle economic slowdown, trade turmoil in upcoming Budget

Economists expect measures to raise disposable incomes and tariff cuts to encourage local manufacturing

What does Union Budget 2025 have in store for India's trade policy?

Since the IES expired on December 31, the commerce department is seeking approval for a slightly modified version of the scheme to cover at least MSMEs

Union Budget 2025-26: Key challenges in power infrastructure outlined

The Budget presents a unique opportunity to revisit some of the key modernisation programmes, said Shardul S Fadnavis, Partner & Utility transformation leader, PwC India

Budget Allocation for Different Sectors: Who Gets What and Why?

Ever wondered why some sectors receive more funding than others in the Union Budget? From defence to healthcare, we take a look at the reasons behind budget allocations and what they mean for India's

Dare to be different? Budget FY26 must prioritise growth and employment

If India wants more growth and jobs, business-as-usual won't do the trick

Automakers want support for green tech, EVs, consumer spending boost

Automakers want the government to provide merit-based policies to support a full range of green technologies and alternative fuels besides allocations to facilitate electric vehicle ecosystem like charging infrastructure to further accelerate sustainable mobility in the upcoming Union Budget. With the automobile industry showing early signs of growth slowing down, they said budgetary initiatives to boost the disposable income of consumers are necessary to support robust growth. "We request the government for appropriate merit-based policies that support and help in popularising full range of greener technologies and alternative fuels thereby helping in faster and greater adoption of multiple sustainable mobility solutions," Toyota Kirloskar Motor Country Head and Executive Vice President - Corporate Affairs and Governance - Vikram Gulati said. Further, he said measures to encourage the scrapping of old vehicles through the budget will also boost demand for newer generation vehicles

Apparels' body asks govt for labour reforms, improvement in skill schemes

Apparel exporters' body AEPC on Tuesday suggested the government to introduce reforms in labour laws, improve schemes for skilling the workforce and make policy for fabric import flexible to boost exports. Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman Sudhir Sekhri said that the exports target of USD 40 billion for ready-made garments by 2030 is an ambitious aim, though the industry is making all possible efforts to achieve that. The government should "introduce reforms in Indian labour laws, improve schemes for skilling the workforce and make policy for fabric import flexible and industry friendly," he said. To discuss ways to increase exports, the council held a round-table discussion with the major apparel brands here. The council said that India's biggest strength is its design prowess and raw material base and it must be leveraged. "Among the major asks of brands is the need for building capacity and fast-tracking manufacturing. Also, the skilled labour shortage which is .

Union Budget 2025: Focus on allies, Bihar, and middle-class relief

2025 will see the fewest Assembly polls in any year during the current five-year term, therefore the Budget will be presented in a more favourable political context for the government

Budget expectations highlights: Budget should focus on boosting consumption, say industry insiders

Union Budget 2025 Latest Updates: Catch all the latest developments related to Union Budget 2025 here

Senior citizens expect tax relief and higher returns in Budget 2025

Speculation is rife that the government may raise exemption limit significantly, with some experts suggesting a new threshold of Rs 10 lakh to alleviate the tax burden on senior citizens

Parliament Budget Session to begin on Jan 31 with President's address

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will take up discussion on President Droupadi Murmu's address to Parliament on Monday as the Budget Session begins on January 31. The President will address both the Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Lok Sabha chamber on Friday and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the General Budget on Saturday. The Finance Minister will table the Economic Survey on Friday when both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will convene briefly after the President's address. Lok Sabha has provisionally allotted two days (February 3-4) for discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, while Rajya Sabha has earmarked three days for the debate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the debate in Rajya Sabha on February 6. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has convened a meeting of floor leaders of political parties in Parliament on January 30 to ensure smooth functioning of the Budget Session. The first part of the Budg

Support for green tech, consumer spending boost: Automakers' Budget list

Automakers want the government to provide merit-based policies to support a full range of green technologies and alternative fuels besides allocations to facilitate electric vehicle ecosystem like charging infrastructure to further accelerate sustainable mobility in the upcoming Union Budget. With the automobile industry showing early signs of growth slowing down, they said budgetary initiatives to boost the disposable income of consumers are necessary to support robust growth. "We request the government for appropriate merit-based policies that support and help in popularising full range of greener technologies and alternative fuels thereby helping in faster and greater adoption of multiple sustainable mobility solutions," Toyota Kirloskar Motor Country Head and Executive Vice President - Corporate Affairs and Governance - Vikram Gulati said. Further, he said measures to encourage the scrapping of old vehicles through the budget will also boost demand for newer generation vehicles

ITC, UB, Delta Corp: Trading strategies for sin stocks ahead of Budget 2025

Technical charts indicate that shares of ITC, Godfrey Phillips, VST Industries, Delta Corp and United Breweries could slide up to 28% from present levels. Check key levels here