"Increase in the short term capital gain tax is a shocker," says actor Neil Nitin Mukesh. According to him, the reforms in the Income tax slab is a good thing because every individual has a right to keep every penny he earns.

The provisions that found favour with Neil are the increase in duty on non-filter cigarettes, the new tax slab for women, and reduction of excise duties on everyday items such as puffed rice and coffee.

Speaking about the raise in the basic exemption limit on income tax for women he says, "It is like creating a new respect for women who are out there earning their bread and butter."

He rated the price cuts in the luxury car segment and gym equipments with, "That's fabulous!" Neil believes it would be nice to see people have gyms in their homes.

Provisions which got a thumbs down from Neil were the increase in the cellphone prices and the reduction in excise duties of small cars and two wheelers.

He says, "Cellphones are not an investment but an expense as electronic goods have a fixed lifespan. I am not happy with this provision."

The excise cuts on two-wheelers, he feels, "have double implications. On one hand, it is good news for all those who want to have their own vehicles. On the other, it will have severe consequences on the roads."

Neil Nitin Mukesh, made his feature film debut recently in director Sriram Raghavan's, 'Johnny Gaddar'.

Rating : 8/10