Puri cited various data, including those related to the housing and urban development ministry, also under him, to assert that the government's policies are sound, forward-looking and well-intentioned, and it has a decisive leadership in Modi who makes them happen.
Among all non-financial A-share companies, State-owned PetroChina Co topped the list with 1.05 trillion yuan (USD 162.8 billion) liability, official media reported today.
The government had yesterday increased excise duty on petrol by Rs 0.30 per litre and by Rs 1.17 a litre on diesel to make use of slump in oil prices to garner an additional Rs 2,500 crore.
Instead of resorting to frequent hikes in petroleum prices, the Centre should take steps to explore new oil and gas fields and control the falling rupee, Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa said today.
The automobile space is staring at a downturn. Tata Motors says soaring interest rates and high fuel costs are turning into a deadly double blow for the Indian auto industry. MD-India operations, PM Telang told CNBC-TV18, that smaller commercial vehicles would aid overall volume growth of the company.
The thrust on infrastructure sector can be seen in the budget but is not strong enough to really accelerate the growth in manufacturing as envisaged.
The 2011 Budget raises many hopes and ideas but is not clear about how it is going to achieve stated objectives like replacing subsidies with cash or ensuring further fiscal consolidation without another spectrum bonanza.
Pranab Mukherjee’s 2011 Union Budget is all smoke and mirrors. It appears to be very friendly, but it is more an exercise in hiding what he cannot do. It’s about minor reliefs, not major reforms