Budget 2012

The government's decision to increase service tax to 12 per cent will make hotel tariffs more expensive.

Consumption accounts for close to 70% of India’s gross domestic product or GDP. Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee hiked excise duty and service tax by 2% in the budget for all companies. This makes products costlier as companies would pass on high costs to consumers. It could also slow down sales growth. Yet, over the past one week the BSE FMCG index rose 4% while the BSE Sensex is down 2.8%.

Property prices will rise by a minimum of 2% immediately due to excise duty and service tax hike in the Budget

For India to reach its target for cutting the budget deficit, Prime Minister Manmoham Singh would almost certainly have to raise prices for subsidised fuel products.

Bullion markets across the country, including Delhi and Mumbai, closed for the third straight day today

Finance Minister proposed to pump in Rs 4,000 crore in equity into the ailing Air India, in the next fiscal.

Credit rating agency Moody’s said that the Budget has a mixed bag of credit implications for corporates.

Markets are likely to move on global cues after a data heavy week that saw the RBI policy and the Budget.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee is a seasoned politician. But it seems, he could not put up a brave face when it comes to reforms front. Political compulsions of the UPA coalition made him tread a very cautious path in Budget 2012.

The government proposes to bring in sportspersons participating in non-recognised sports events like Indian Premier League (IPL) under the service tax ambit from next fiscal.

Retrospective amendment on taxing cross-border M&As, as proposed by the Budget 2012-13, has startled taxation experts.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the government is making efforts to reduce the time lag in clearing the proposals.

Consumer durables firms are a disappointed lot as the Budget has not offered any subsidy for energy efficient products.

The government may look at scrapping cross-holding in the sector as part of the National Telecom Policy.

The Government said the proposed holding company for the PSU banks would help in recapitalizing the lenders for meeting their growth needs and global prudential norms.

Excise duty and service tax hike will increase the input cost, fuel inflation and lead to further slowdown

The crisis-ridden microfinance sector has welcomed the budgetary proposal to table the new MFI Bill

The Budget is likely to create demand for senior professionals across sectors as economic activity in the country will get an impetus on the back of increased consumer spending