Public Opinion and Expert Reactions on Budget 2018

With an eye on the next Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the last budget of the NDA government loaded with massive allocations for agriculture, MSMEs, healthcare sectors, but disappointed salaried class on income-tax relief

By :  migrator
Update: 2018-02-01 23:46 GMT
Representative image

Chennai

In support of Union Budget 2018

A very comprehensive budget comprising key measures that would have a positive impact on various segments including tenant farmers, 10 crore poor families, senior citizens, among others 

- Rajnish Kumar, Chairman, SBI 

The policy framework earmarking over Rs 14 lakh crore for creation of livelihood in rural areas, empowering rural women will enhance the ease of living of rural masses
- CK Ranganathan Chairman & MD, CavinKare 

The government’s focus on supporting local manufacturing, skill development and a heightened emphasis on job creation will lead to greater opportunities for the youth 

- Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company 

Ten per cent long term capital gains would help to control the current ‘irrational exuberance’ in stock prices and is therefore a step in the right direction 

- Pradip Har, Fmr Nabard Exec 

The introduction of new scheme for e-assessments across the country would lead to reduced tax administration cost and increased tax payer satisfaction

- Jatin Dalal, Chief Financial Officer, Wipro Limited 

We are confident that the funds allotted towards the AYUSH sector this year will help us in bringing out cost-effective ayurvedic products to consumers

- Pradeep Cholayil, Chairman & MD, Cholayil Pvt Ltd

Allocation of Rs 10,000 crore under telecom infrastructure areas for easy internet access to 50 million rural Indians will help the financial inclusion initiatives of the banks.

 - R Subramaniakumar, MD & CEO, Indian Overseas Bank 

Upgradation of rural haats to GrAMS, expanding the eNAM network and setting up agri market infra fund will take small and marginal farmers closer to their markets. 

- Ca Vellayan, Executive Chairman, Murugappa Group 

The government expenditure may increase on account of investment outlays; however, the increase in tax collections from direct tax and GST will help to achieve the fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent of GDP for FY 19.

- Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO, ICICI Bank 

Healthcare has got a really big boost; it’ll be interesting to see if district hospitals are converted into medical colleges. This will increase scope for students as well.

- Mangala Ramaswamy, Freelance content writer 

Not in favour of Union Budget 2018

Salaried staff in the sector are really going to struggle, as the government has taken medical reimbursements. People in this industry suffer from various ailments – this is a big blow for them.

- Vikram Cotah, Hotelier 

The government has announced an ambitious health scheme but I wish they had thought of other means to raise funds for the same other than raising the education cess

- Ramthilak Chakravarthy, Corporate manager & entrepreneur 

Schools The lack of any mention of promoting women’s inclusiveness at the workplace is disheartening. This will further increase the discrimination against women’s employability and make it difficult for companies that are striving for gender equality.

- Priya Krishnan, Founder & CEO, KLAY 

High tax (GST) on the EV components still remains a big concern for the industry, which this budget must revise to 5% for all the EVs components

 - Hemalatha Annamalai, CEO & Founder, Ampere Electric Vehicle  

Government’s flagship schemes to provide better healthcare to people requires access to advance healthcare technology. Centre should have looked at incentivising import of advance medical devices by bringing down customs duty.

- Pavan Choudary, Chairman & DG, Medical Technology Association of India 

Bitcoin investment was such a rush recently, but by terming it illegal tender and that they will do everything to end crypto currency use, the Finance Minister has ended a fledgling market. 

 - Varun Mohanraj investor & agriculturalist  

The move to impose tax on long-term capital gains as well as dividend distribution could pose as a small hurdle for investment flows into the mutual funds. 

- Ashutosh Bishnoi CEO & MD 

The housing, real estate and construction sector which contributes 1/10th of the GDP, creates maximum employment and has a multiplier effect on other sectors, has been grossly ignored.

- R Kumar MD, Navin’s 

More than 80 per cent of mobile phone demand is met locally but premium, high-end smartphones still depends on imports which will get hit by proposed increase in duty.

- Anshul Gupta Research Director, Gartner 

Increasing custom duty on the import of auto component parts will be big a dampener for the auto component marketplace, which the Finance Minister must reconsider waiving.

- Yevgen Sokolnikov CEO & co-founder, Boodmo

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