As many as 17 cancer drugs, along with medicines and food for special medical needs for seven rare diseases, components for microwave ovens are some of the items that are set to become cheaper with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing cuts in customs duty in the Union Budget 2026-27.
The US's recent 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports will have a trickledown effect on India's affordable housing, potentially derailing demand as well as supply in this segment, according to experts. Pointing to worker incomes and jobs in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that typically make up majority of the customer base of affordable housing, would take a hit in the near terms due to the tariff change, further crippling India's affordable housing sector, already reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the removal of import duties on 12 critical minerals, lithium-ion batteries scrap, cobalt products, LED, zinc and 36 drugs for cancer and rare diseases.
The Budget has given signals that India is sensitive to the US needs and willing to walk the extra mile, but if need be, we should respond in equal measure as a sovereign nation, notes Ajay Srivastava.
Average housing prices across Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Delhi-NCR, Chennai and Pune remained stable during the January-March period compared to the previous quarter while rates appreciated 4-5 per cent in the other four major cities, according to PropTiger. Data from real estate brokerage firm PropTiger, a part of REA India that owns Housing.com, showed that prices in Bengaluru and Hyderabad grew 5 per cent each while Ahmedabad and Kolkata saw an appreciation of 4 per cent each.
The Union health ministry has been allocated Rs 99,858.56 crore in the Budget 2025-2026, an around 11 per cent hike over the Rs 89,974.12 crore in the budget (revised estimates) of 2024-2025 with the government announcing setting up daycare cancer centres at all district hospitals over the next three years.
In a significant policy shift aimed at boosting agri-productivity and rural prosperity, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced six new agricultural schemes while increasing the subsidised Kisan Credit Card loan limit to Rs 5 lakh from the existing Rs 3 lakh, benefiting 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers.
According to experts, even if an additional 5 per cent of people opt to buy new vehicles, it may bring a huge boost to the sector.
Here is a list of items set to become cheaper and costlier.
Do we have enough trained oncologists and medical professionals in India to man these over 4,500 beds in the public sector?
Of the total proposed allocation, over Rs 1 lakh crore is meant for BSNL and MTNL-related expenses, including Rs 82,916 crore infusion in BSNL for technology upgradation and restructuring at BSNL.
The proposed exemption in customs duty on import of lithium, cobalt and other rare minerals in the Union Budget 2024-25 is likely to lower the battery production cost and help in making electric vehicles more affordable for the buyers, auto industry leaders said on Tuesday.
Mobile phones and TV sets manufactured in India would become cheaper with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing cuts in Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on import of their components but smokers would have to pay more as the government has increased taxes.
With the real estate sector witnessing robust demand, realtors are doling out freebies and offering a slew of attractive schemes to lure potential customers this festival season. "Developers are providing Amazon vouchers that go up to Rs 1 lakh, iPads, and flexible payment plans that propel customer excitement," said Angad Bedi, managing director at real estate company BCD Group. Bedi said customers have a mindset to go for a change during the festival season, and developers see it as an opportunity to combine it with long-term and practical offers that drive buyers to close in on a deal during this period.
The finance ministry is looking at a reworked proposal from mobile device makers on how to fight the rampant and growing smuggling of very high end phones. The proposal suggests reducing the basic customs duty (BCD) on phones which have a CIF (cost, insurance and freight or price at landing in the port) value of over Rs 35,000-Rs 40,000. The retail value of these phones is upwards of Rs 70,000.
A firing incident was reported in the Tis Hazari court premises in New Delhi on Wednesday, the police said, adding that two groups of lawyers were allegedly involved in opening fire.
Glass shortage in China and the rising prices of imported glass used in finished solar panels have already hit the cost of solar panel imports. The cost of solar modules imported by India have increased 22 per cent since June last year. India imports close to 90 per cent of its solar cells and modules, of which nearly 80 per cent is from China. Domestic solar equipment makers import glass panels and are the largest suppliers in China. The price of a solar module glass has increased 150 per cent in the past six months, revealed industry estimates.
From real estate to metals, what Sitharaman's Budget has in store.
A Dubai trip plus Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper than buying the phone in India. Various models of the iPhone 12 Pro and Max are cheaper in Dubai by up to Rs 35,000 owing to higher GST, Customs duty in India.
The government can argue the change targets only those residing abroad but the fact remains that it does affect the kin and friends in India of non-residents.
Bitter rivals in Bihar politics Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad will be neighbours now after the Janata Dal-United top leader abdicated power as chief minister in the face of severe drubbing in the recent Lok Sabha election.
The Delhi high court on Wednesday dismissed a plea for probe by the Bar Council of Delhi into the alleged CD row, purportedly involving senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Here's a quick guide to navigating and ordering from global websites.
Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti was on Monday issued a show cause notice by Bar Council of Delhi asking him to explain why his name should not be removed from the rolls for "tampering" of evidence in a case in which he was a defence lawyer and for which he has been indicted by a court.
Delhi Law Minister Somnath Bharti, indicted by a court for "tampering of evidence" in a case he appeared as a defence lawyer, has informed the Bar Council of Delhi that he intends to surrender his licence to practice law.
The key proposals from the IT industry that were not addressed included removal of dual levies on software products
Union budget was mildly for cable broadcasting industry and DTH.
Excise duty cut to boost Polymers sector.
Round-tipping creates the opportunity for exporters to source funds at a much cheaper cost, which they divert to some other business.
The duty reduction in feedstock would strengthen the domestic manufacturing in India making it more competitive leading to surge in exports of finished goods.
An advocate in the December 16 gang rape case, who courted controversy with his gender specific remarks, on Thursday said it was a "personal statement confined to his family which has been given a general interpretation."
Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has appointed a special public prosecutor to represent Delhi police in the alleged fake degree case involving former law minister and AAP leader Jitender Singh Tomar, a court in New Dehli was told on Thursday.
The move will help to reduce Air India's distribution cost by 60 per cent
Stocks to watch: Videocon, Blue Star, Hitachi, MIRC Electronics, BPL, Whirlpool, Gitanjali, Titan Group
The destinations have a lot to offer in terms of adventure, culture and entertainment.
In a setback to Jitender Singh Tomar, a Delhi court on Thursday dismissed his revision plea against his police remand.
Union Budget 2014-15 is positive for metals and mining companies.
The government introduced the 122nd Constitution amendment Bill.
Stocks to watch: BHEL, L&T, IRB Infra and Suzlon
Tax incentives to have cascading effect on the capital goods industry.
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