As a citizen of the country, I see many positives in the Budget, particularly the continued focus on education and health. Direct and indirect interventions in the agricultural sector are also promising. But on core manufacturing sector, there does not seem to be any significant direct thrust in the budgetory provisions or taxation proposals, although the need to excite this sector has been recognised.

However, as a member of the cement industry, I may add that a product of mass consumption which is already among the most highly taxed, has received some more indirect tax loading by way of hike in CENVAT rates for clinker and bulk cement.

On the whole, our view is that the Budget will help to promote demand in general, and therefore we shall look at it as progressive.

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