New Delhi: The FM may have kept farmers in mind while preserting the UPA's fifth Budget. But along the way, P Chidambaram didn't seem to completely ignore the common man.
He announced a reduction in excise duty on small cars from 16 per cent to 12 per cent and on hybrid cars from 24 per cent to the general revised rate of 14 per cent. The FM also announced a cut in excise duty on two wheelers and three wheelers.
Watching the telly will become a pleasurable experience thanks to cheaper set -top boxes. But consumers will now have to shell out more for their smokes and mobile handsets.
In sync with his pro-agricultural stance, fertilisers will become cheaper. Customs duty on crude and unrefined sulphur along with phosphoric acid
used for making agri-nutrients have been reduced.
The feed for chicken and other livestocks will also be cheaper, courtesy a slash in customs duty on bactofuges and feed additives and pre-mixes.
Six specified drugs and bulk drugs along with anti-AIDS drug Atazanavir will now be cheaper.
Rough coral will now be cheaper. So will be paper, paper board and articles. Composting machines and wireless data cards will now pinch the pocket less.
Meanwhile, there's good news in the kitchen ministry with packaged coconut water, tea and coffee mixes and puffed rice costing less.
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