BUDGET 2018

"Silent saver of the economy – the homemaker is worried again. After a relatively peaceful year of low inflation the rising crude oil prices are hinting towards higher inflation ahead. Union Budget 2017 took small steps for the betterment of the women by launching scheme of Mahila Shakti Kendra at village level with an allocation of Rs 500 crore in 14 lakh ICDS Anganwadi Centres.."

"A list of disruptions such as implementation of GST, RERA in CY2017 rocked the business landscape of India after demonetisation blow in November 2016. The formalisation of economy wherein the business moves from unorganised to organised sector has benefitted the law abiding businessmen. However, it has its own costs in terms of increased cost of compliance."

"This is the last full-fledged budget by Arun Jaitley before the Parliament goes for general elections in 2019. No wonder salaried income tax payers have high hopes from the central government in terms of reduced tax impact. Last year, the salaried individuals had high hopes from Budget 2017 after demonetisation. However, the Finance Minister offered minimal tax relief to the salaried tax paying segment."

"Falling interest rates on fixed deposits and small saving schemes have made most senior citizens worry over their regular income. Some of them are forced to take additional risks by investing in equity funds and balanced funds launched by mutual funds. The situation worsened at the beginning of the CY2018 when most public sector non-life insurance companies decided to raise the health insurance premium. As the Union Budget 2018 is round the corner, the senior citizens are looking up to the Finance Minister for some relief."

"A new high on the Nifty at regular intervals is a way to look at the second half of the CY2017. However that does not mean all the investors made money. Many sat on the side lines and many are still grappling with their investments in real estate. Those who made investments in stocks and equity mutual funds are now wondering if the finance minister will change the rules pertaining to the long term capital gains, in Budget 2018. Investors have seen introduction of tax on dividends received in excess of Rs 10 lakh in a year, in the budget 2016. "

"Demographic dividend will decide if India will emerge as the fastest growing nation over the next decade. But to ensure that it happens, the Indian youth need a conducive regulatory framework and policy support. In Budget 2017 finance minister Arun Jaitley declared youth as a focus area of his union budget. Budget 2017 announced investments in quality education. A portal offering more than 350 online courses – SWAYAM, was launched. Finance Minister also announced launch of National Testing Agency along with extension of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK)."

"Booming stock markets have cheered the investors and stock brokers throughout CY2017. The Nifty clocked 28% returns over the year and the small and mid-cap indices further enriched investors with higher returns. The talk of a possible tax on long term capital gains from stocks or change in definition – increasing the time from one year to two year to be eligible for tax free long term capital gains, make the markets nervous ahead of budget. In Budget 2016 Finance Minister raised securities transaction tax (STT) on options to 0.05 per cent from 0.017 per cent. "