Budget is widely seen as a test of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Novartis said it is partnered with generic drugmaker Lupin Ltd to sell the drug in India
India's industrial output unexpectedly contracted 4.2 percent year-on-year in October, dragged down by a fall in the manufacturing and the capital goods sector, government data showed on Friday.
The new drugs to come under price control include commonly-used antibiotics and painkillers
The government holds stakes ranging from 56% to 84% in 27 state-run banks.
India's antitrust regulator has approved Sun-Ranbaxy deal, subject to the companies divesting seven products.
Shares in ITC Ltd , India's largest cigarette maker, closed 5.2 per cent lower in a broader Mumbai market that fell 0.8 percent.
Official GDP data for the second quarter of the current fiscal year ending March are due to for release this Friday.
In a speech, Jaitley said that while he expected to hit targeted levels for direct taxes, reaching the goal for indirect taxes would be a "challenge".
Road projects alone worth $10 billion face delays over land disputes and other clearances.
October shipments to India, the world's No.2 gold consumer behind China, jumped to about 150 tonnes from less than 25 tonnes a year earlier and 143 tonnes in September, a finance ministry official said last week.
India and the United States settled a dispute on Thursday that had paralysed the World Trade Organization and risked derailing a $1 trillion package of reforms.
Some Indian generic drugmakers are, however, uncertain about the pace of approvals in the near future.
Officials say a fall in global oil prices will reduce the government's subsidy burden, giving it a greater chance of hitting its ambitious fiscal deficit target of 4.1 percent of gross domestic product in the fiscal year to March.
BJP's success in two state elections gave Modi room to cut through a thicket of regulations and state controls.
British India Corporation employs about 1,800 people
Ties between India and the United States have been strained in recent years because of trade policies and patent disputes.
Lower crude prices mean less government outlay for India,
India has capped the prices of 36 drugs, including those used to treat infections and diabetes, in its latest move to make essential medicines more affordable, a senior official of the country's drug pricing authority told Reuters on Friday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances