Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

Budget with long term objective to steer Indian economy

Hon’ble Finance Minister is to be commended for a comprehensive and pragmatic Budget that continues on the strong and proactive reform agenda undertaken for the transformation of India. Stressing domestic demand, higher public expenditure, and formalization of the economy, it activates key growth drivers for the economy within a challenging global environment. Overall, the Budget builds positive sentiments among Indian industry and overseas investors that the Government would remain on the path of fiscal prudence while taking all possible measures to boost growth.

Reduced corporate income tax rates for medium and small enterprises bring cheer to the large majority of companies with turnover of less than Rs 50 crores, while stimulating employment and entrepreneurship. The measures for affordable housing, farmers and the rural economy, and infrastructure further open up avenues for investment and new livelihoods. It is heartening to note that education and skill development as well as healthcare and women have been accorded special priority. Indian industry welcomes the positive and reformative Budget that infuses high confidence and further promotes the country’s high growth path.

S C Ralhan, President, FIEO

Budget with long term objective to steer Indian economy

Hailing the Union Budget limiting revenue deficit to 2.1% of GDP and pegging fiscal deficit for 2017-18 at 3.2%, while focusing on rural India and infrastructure, Mr S C Ralhan, President, Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO) said that the budget has drawn a road map for bringing economy back on track and accelerating it in medium term. The investment of close to Rs.4.00 lacs crore in the infrastructure encompassing road, railways, aviation would not only improve competitiveness of manufacturing and exports sector but would reduce the logistics cost of exports as well.

President, FIEO said that while Trade Related Infrastructure Scheme is welcomed, it would require sufficient funding to make an impact. The MSME sector with a turnover of upto Rs.50 crore will get a boost with reduction in income tax, while SEZs may draw a consolation in carry forward of MAT from 10 years to 15 years.

A status quo in service tax and excise duty (with few aberrations) is indicative of the fact that we are on our course to introduce Goods & Services Tax in this fiscal, observed FIEO Chief.

While expressing his satisfaction with reduction in Current Account Deficit from 1% to 0.3% during April-Sept,2016, Mr Ralhan said that while these figures are impressive, yet he would have been much happy if CAD would have been brought these levels with increasing exports.

The global challenges highlighted in the Union Budget requires us to be on our toes and revisit our strategy to push exports in such volatile global conditions. Mr Ralhan expressed his disappointment as aggressive marketing strategy through an Export Development Fund did not see the light of the day.