‘Personal income tax buoyancy helped to offer relief; states may have deregulations as conditions for capex loans’

In a post-budget interview with Mint, Pandey also said the government’s push for deregulation could see them being implemented as mandatory reforms, which states are required to implement to qualify for a share of the Centre’s 50-year interest-free capex loans. Meanwhile, the 16th Finance Commission, headed by economist Arvind Panagariya, will give guidance on the…

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Centre to tighten reform criteria for states seeking 50-year interest-free capex loans: Ajay Seth

New Delhi: The Union government plans to raise the bar for benchmark reforms for states seeking access to its 50-year interest-free capital expenditure (capex) loans, aiming to drive deregulation and improve ease of doing business—a key focus of the latest budget – said Ajay Seth, secretary at the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA). “As we…

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Budget lowers India’s average customs duty rate, sends positive signal to the US: CBIC chair

New Delhi: The customs duty rejig announced in the Union budget for FY26 lowers India’s average customs duty rate sharply from 11.65% to 10.66% and sends a positive signal to India’s trading partners like the US, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Chairperson Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said in a post-budget interview.  The comments…

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Not all LED TV makers are thrilled about duty exemption on open cell parts

New Delhi: The exemption of import duties on components required for making open cells—a key part of LED televisions—has divided India’s nearly-$10-billion TV industry. A section of manufacturers sees the budget announcement as a big boost, but others say the relief will only benefit specific companies, not the entire sector. “The duty abolition will only…

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