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PremiumBudget 2025 Expectations Highlights: Corporate India is seeking tax reforms, lower GST rates, regulatory updates, and anticipating various capex allocation announcements in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's eighth Budget speech on February 1, 2025. Taxpayers are keenly watching for some relief for the middleclass amid the current economic situation.
The first part of the Parliament's Budget session is confirmed to begin from January 31 till February 13, 2025. And the second part of the session will commence on March 10 and conclude on April 4, 2025.
Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 in Parliament on February 1, 2025. Her speech will start at 11 am in the Lok Sabha.
This will be Sitharaman's second full-fledged Budget in Modi 3.0, and her overall her eighth budget presentation in Parliament. She has presented six annual and two interim budgets under the NDA government's consecutive terms in power at the Centre.
While there has been official statement from the Finance Ministry yet, as per convention over the past years, the finance minister is expected to give her Budget speech in Parliament at 11 am on February 1, 2025. Further, as per official circulars, the BSE and NSE will remain open on February 1, 2025, despite it being a Saturday due to the Union Budget 2025-26.
Budget 2025 Expectations Highlights: This live blog has now ended. You can check our latest LIVE coverage of the Union Budget 2025 and expectations here.
India Budget 2025 News LIVE: Ashutosh Kumar, Founder & CEO of GrowthJockey, said the upcoming Union Budget should prioritise robust digital infrastructure
“The Union Budget 2025 presents a pivotal moment for India to cement its position as a global leader in venture building and innovation. In 2024, venture capital investments reached $16.77 billion across 888 deals, with technology accounting for $6.50 billion—an impressive 52.5% year-over-year growth. This underscores the immense potential of India's innovation ecosystem," he said.
“To sustain this momentum, the budget must prioritize building robust digital infrastructure, enabling the seamless adoption of technologies like AI, and simplifying regulatory frameworks to nurture venture creation," said Kumar.
“As a venture-building organization, we believe that tax incentives, strategic investments in 5G, and support for new-age entrepreneurs are critical levers to unlocking exponential growth. By aligning fiscal policies with innovation-driven goals, this budget can redefine India's global narrative as the go-to destination for transformative ventures, fostering an ecosystem where startups, enterprises, and industries thrive," he said.
Budget 2025 News LIVE: Niraj Kumar, CTO of Onix, expects that the Indian government will dedicate funds and grants to AI startups to uphold the vision of artificial intelligence in the nation.
“The upcoming Budget 2025-26 is a defining moment to position India as a global AI hub. With the recent discussions emphasizing a national AI policy, including the formation of an AI committee by the Reserve Bank of India to develop a comprehensive framework, we see a clear commitment to enabling responsible and innovative AI adoption," he said.
“We expect the government to further bolster this vision with dedicated funds and grants for AI startups, enabling them to innovate and contribute significantly to the global AI ecosystem. Addressing the talent gap is equally crucial," said Kumar.
“Additionally, the introduction of a regulatory framework for responsible AI development is crucial to ensure that artificial intelligence technologies are developed and deployed ethically, safely, and transparently. Such frameworks help mitigate risks associated with AI, including biases, lack of transparency, and potential misuse," he said.
Union Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: Saket Chirania, Co-Founder of Agrizy, said that the government should prioritise policies that enhance the competitiveness of MSME food processors.
“The upcoming Union Budget 2025 to drive transformative growth in our sector. We urge the government to prioritize policies that enhance the competitiveness of food processors, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are vital for innovation and job creation," said Chirania.
“Increased financial incentives and subsidies for sustainable processing technologies will empower businesses to meet both domestic and international quality standards. Additionally, we advocate for dedicated funding for research and development initiatives that promote food safety and product innovation, ensuring that Indian products can compete on a global scale," he said.
“Investing in skill development programs tailored to the food processing workforce is essential for building a knowledgeable and capable talent pool," he said.
“Overall, we believe that a forward-thinking budget can unlock the full potential of India’s food processing sector, driving economic growth, enhancing food security, and positioning India as a global leader in processed foods. Together, let us create a thriving ecosystem that benefits farmers, processors, and consumers alike," according to Chirania.
India Budget 2025 News LIVE: Zaiba Sarang, Co-founder, iThink Logistics expects port connectivity and transportation networks to receive increased investments in the upcoming Budget 2025 announcement on February 1.
“The courier aggregator industry, a backbone of India’s thriving e-commerce sector, is looking to the 2025 Budget with high expectations to supercharge its growth trajectory. Increased infrastructure investment—particularly in port connectivity and transportation networks—could be a game-changer, slashing logistics costs and enabling seamless supply chain operations, even in Tier II and III cities where e-commerce is expanding rapidly," said Sarang.
“Compliance simplification is a vital need for logistics players. A unified GST slab structure would reduce the compliance burden and operational costs, allowing businesses to focus on scaling their services. Enhanced customs processes and an efficient GST Network would further eliminate trade bottlenecks, unlocking the potential of cross-border commerce, a burgeoning opportunity in the globalized market," she said.
“The future lies in skilled manpower and sustainability. Targeted budget allocations for workforce skill development can empower companies to handle rising consumer demand with agility and expertise. Meanwhile, dedicated funds for green logistics—such as electric fleets and sustainable packaging—would future-proof the sector while aligning with India's climate goals," said Sarang.
Union Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: In the coming Budget, policymakers should consider the evolving dynamics of domestic and global trade, according to Pushkar Mukewar, Founder and CEO of Drip Capital.
“As India's infrastructure sector continues to grow, leading to a more efficient supply chain ecosystem, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that the costs of key inputs remain competitive," he added.
Expectation from Budget include:
Budget 2025 News LIVE: Saurabh Runwal, Director of Runwal Realty feels that India’s real estate sector stands at a transformative crossroads, and the upcoming budget holds the potential to catalyse a phase of unprecedented growth.
With the sector’s current valuation of over $477 billion and its trajectory towards a $1 trillion market by 2030, it’s crucial that the budget addresses both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities, he added.
Expectations:
Union Budget 2025 Expectations LIVE: Sumit Pal Singh, Co-Founder & Director, Silver Sickles is anticipating measures that can transform India's supply chain and logistics sector into a global benchmark of efficiency and resilience. "This budget holds the promise of bridging critical infrastructure gaps and fostering technological innovation to drive the nation’s economic growth," he added.
Expectations:
India Budget 2025 News LIVE: Rishi Anand, MD & CEO, Aadhar Housing Finance feels that for the housing finance sector, the upcoming budget should focus on reviewing and modifying important regulations that take into account the current state of the housing market, which is essential for making homeownership genuinely affordable.
Expectations:
India Budget 2025 News LIVE: Pranav Rungta, Co-founder and Director of Nksha restaurant and Vice President of NRAI Mumbai noted that the restaurant sector is facing several challenges.
His expectations from the Union Budget include:
Budget 2025 News LIVE: Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2025 in Parliament on February 1, 2025. Her speech will start at 11 am in the Lok Sabha.
The Union budget will be broadcast on the official channels of the Parliament, Doordarshan, and Sansad TV. It will also be streamed on the government's official YouTube channels.
Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025 speech can be watched live on Livemint.com. And all the latest updates about the Budget 2025, can be tracked on livemint.com Budget live blog.
UnionBudget 2025 Expectations LIVE: It is “imperative" for the Budget to address immediate challenges and lay the groundwork for long-term sustainability in agriculture, feels Dhanashree Mandhani, Founder and CEO of Salam Kisan.
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: The Budget provides an opportunity to strengthen financial inclusion across the country by addressing key challenges, feels Amit Nigam, COO of BANKIT.
What does he anticipate?
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Vikas Bagaria, founder and CEO, Pee Safe said that he hopes the Budget prioritises menstrual health and hygiene through comprehensive and inclusive measures.
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: DS Negi, CEO of the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), feels that Budget 2025 has the potential to provide the cancer care sector with significant reforms that ensure accessibility, affordability, and quality for all.
“A key highlight of the previous Budget for the sector was inclusion of the HPV vaccine that protects against cervical cancer to protect future generations from one of the most preventable cancers… India has also made remarkable advancements with the launch of its first indigenously developed CAR T-cell therapy for cancer under the ‘Make in India’ initiative… and the first telesurgery in cancer care, performed by the RGCIRC set a new benchmark in remote oncology treatment," he added.
To build on these successes, Negi expects the Budget must:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Dr Kshitiz Murdia, CEO & Co-Founder of Indira IVF feels that India stands at a crucial crossroads in addressing the growing challenge of infertility, which carries significant socio-economic implications.
He pointed to South Korea and Singapore, who are grappling with record-low Total Fertility Rates (TFR) of 0.72 and 0.97, respectively, while within India, states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka report TFRs below replacement levels. “These trends underscore the urgent need for India to act decisively to maintain its demographic stability and provide opportunities for those who aspire to achieve parenthood," he added.
Expectations from the Union Budget for 2025-26 are:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Kami Viswanathan, President, FedEx — Middle East, India Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA) is optimistic about continued government investment in infrastructure, multimodal logistics hubs, and digital platforms. “We also hope to see greater focus on streamlining trade processes and promoting green logistics to accelerate sustainable growth," she said.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Sagar Gupta, Director, Ekkaa Electronics is optimistic about the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the manufacturing sector through initiatives like ‘Make in India’.
Expectations from Budget are:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Chris George, Co-Founder & CEO of QubeHealth-Pay feels that this Budget holds promise of transformative change for healthcare sector.
“This budget should aim to not only address current systemic challenges but also lay a robust foundation for sustainable, inclusive, and technology-driven healthcare growth across the nation," George added.
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Dikshu C Kukreja, Managing Principal at CP Kukreja Architects feels that adequate and targetted investments towards urban planning, waste management, public health and to tackle air pollution is required.
“What does a Viksit Bharat look like if its citizens are compelled to breathe poisonous air all the time? The problem of waste management is equally urgent, since cities are becoming more and more like enormous landfills. In order to revitalize metropolitan areas and protect public health, adequate and targeted investment is essential," he noted.
Thus expectations from the Budget are:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Puneet Kumar, CFO of Insurancedekho is optimistic that the Budget will provide progressive measures to enhance financial inclusion and make insurance more affordable and accessible for all.
“With rising healthcare costs, health insurance has become a necessity rather than a luxury. We urge the government to address affordability challenges by reducing the GST on health insurance premiums, ensuring that more individuals and families can benefit from financial protection," he added.
Expectations from Union Budget 2025 include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Vivek Jalan - Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP feels that the coming Budget must substantially revamping the complex, multiple and redundant TDS provisions leading to confusion and litigation for taxpayers.
He added that the percentage of deduction in some cases is prohibitive — “As of now there are 71 Sections under TDS/TCS; Rates of TDS/TCS is still high in spite of rationalisation in last budget; Also there is overlap between TCS and TDS provisions. A complete overhaul of TDS/TCS provisions have been represented and is expected," Jalan said.
It is also expected that there may be a single comprehensive Schedule of Rates of TDS (just Like the Customs Tariff Act) with Schedule Notes. And that issuance of TDS/TCS certificates may be withdrawn for ease of compliances.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Priyanka Kanwar, Co-founder and CEO of Falcon feels the Budget should have special funding schemes for female entrepreneurs. She noted, "Innovation thrives on diversity, and yet, access to capital for female entrepreneurs remains a barrier."
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Vishal Puri, Co-Founder of Spalba believes that the hospitality industry, a key driver of India’s economic growth and is poised to expand, but needs substantial support to overcome operational challenges.
Expectations from the upcoming Budget include:
Simplifying GST compliance to streamline operations and foster business growth across the sector.
The introduction of mandatory sustainability practices, including energy-efficient construction and waste management, will not only help the industry become greener but also more competitive.
Tax incentives for renewable energy adoption in hotels and resorts would further reduce costs while promoting eco-friendly operations.
India must also prioritise the development of digital infrastructure to bridge existing gaps and drive growth.
Prioritise e-infrastructure technologies, with robust intellectual property protection and their mandated use in government events and projects.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Alouk Kumar, CEO and Founder of Inductus feels that Budget 2025 represents a pivotal moment for India's startup ecosystem.
"We need strategic interventions that will transform our entrepreneurial landscape from a promising market to a global innovation powerhouse," he stated.
Key expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Rahul Attuluri, Co-founder and CEO of NxtWave believes the government’s emphasis on skill development and digital transformation has been crucial in advancing India’s position in emerging technologies.
He hopes this will continue in the coming Budget and expects:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: The Union Budget is expected to reinforce India's commitment to startups, technology, and digital transformation, feels Meghna Krishna, Group CRO, VideoVerse.
“To truly leverage the transformative power of AI and emerging technologies, it is essential to foster an ecosystem that drives innovation, equips the workforce with future-ready skills, and addresses barriers to high-quality education and job security amid rapid technological change," she added.
Expectations include: Introduction of incentives for R&D, skill development, and technology adoption.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Gaurav Baheti, Founder & CEO of Procol feels that the Budget will “empower industries and build a future-ready India". He is optimistic about the government’s push to tech and supply chain.
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Priyanka Kanwar, Co-founder and CEO of Falcon believes the Budget can provide tax benefits for banking technology companies.
Noting that “world-class banking technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity" and to aid in the government's ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Union Budget 2025-26 “should create a strategic focus on financial technology innovation through tax benefits and funding support".
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: The government should consider making the new tax regime the only regime, but ease the rate of tax, according to Vivek Jalan - Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP. He believes that completely scrapping the old tax regime and rationalising Income Tax slabs under the new regime is the way forward.
Jalan pointed that under the new tax regime, Income Tax has become simpler; and an exemption of ₹7 lakh means that taxpayers have to pay NIL tax on the same level of Income where they were earlier paying tax.
Expectations:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Dinkar Sharma, Company Secretary & Partner, Jotwani Associates, recommends rationalizing GST slabs to simplify indirect taxation by technology to increase compliance.
“We expect the Union Budget 2025-2026 to focus on creating a more business friendly environment by promoting ease of compliance for businesses. We recommend rationalizing GST slabs to simplify indirect taxation and broadening the tax base by leveraging technology for enhanced compliance," he said.
“Additionally, targeted incentives for startups and MSMEs, particularly in the tech and green energy sectors, could fuel growth. Emphasizing infrastructure development and tax relief for individuals, especially for those who opt for a new tax regime, would further boost consumption and investment, driving overall economic momentum," said Sharma.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Udit Jain, Director, One Group, said Rationalizing stamp duty rates in Tier 2 and 3 cities can stimulate housing demand in mid & low-income groups.
“Government intervention through targeted incentives could help alleviate the financial burden on homebuyers. One crucial area to address in the upcoming budget is the enhancement of the income tax deduction limit on home loan interest under Section 24(b), which has remained unchanged for over a decade. Increasing this limit would provide much-needed relief, particularly for buyers in high-cost urban markets," he said.
“Another key measure is the extension and expansion of the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS). The government should consider raising the property price threshold for affordable housing eligibility, enabling more middle-income families to benefit from this scheme. Such an adjustment would not only boost demand but also encourage developers to focus on affordable housing projects, a segment currently experiencing a downturn in supply," said Jain.
“Additionally, rationalizing stamp duty rates, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, could significantly stimulate housing demand among mid-income and low-income groups. High stamp duty rates often act as a barrier for homebuyers, and reducing them could make homeownership more accessible in these emerging markets," he said.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Vimal Nadar, Senior Director, Research at Colliers India noted that the Indian taxpayers are gradually shifting towards the new tax regime in a discretionary manner, adding that it thus becomes imperative to rationalise tax slabs in the absence of major deductions and other incentives.
Expectations:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Rajat Chopra, Founder & CEO, BankersKlub feels that the Budget can significantly empower India's MSME sector for a truly Viksit Bharat.
Expectations include: Specific provisions for training programs; streamlining compliance processes and improving the education of financial intermediaries; encouraging cash flow-based funding within public sector banks to ensure that MSMEs have the liquidity and support they deserve to flourish.
"These initiatives in the union budget 2025 will play an essential role in strengthening the backbone of our economy—our MSMEs—eventually driving innovation, sustainable growth, and job creation. As India aspires to become a $5 trillion economy, empowering the MSME sector across the nation will be critical in realising this ambitious vision," Chopra added.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Amit Uplenchwar, Director at KPIL is optimistic the Budget will drive growth across key sectors, including infrastructure, energy, and construction.
“The government’s continued focus on energy and infrastructure is expected to provide a strong boost to the EPC industry. Investments in green energy initiatives will further enhance India’s competitiveness globally by moving towards net zero carbon emissions," he added.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Praveen Chirania, Founder, Muscle and Strength India believes that the Budget holds significant potential to support the growth of the health and fitness industry.
Chirania added that the self-care, preventive healthcare and holistic wellness industry has taken centre stage with a growing awareness around nutrition and building immunity among consumers.
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Piyush Rambhia, partner at Palladian partners has high hopes for the Union Budget.
He noted that 2024 saw a robust recovery in India's real estate sector, with residential demand reaching an 11-year high and office leasing hitting a record 53.3 million square feet. However, affordable housing faced challenges, with its share of sales dropping from 38% in 2019 to just 18%.
Expectations thus include: Focus on infrastructure status for housing, affordable financing, and reviving the affordable housing segment through reforms like reintroducing the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme and revising price caps to reflect market realities.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Ashwani Gandhi, CEO of Niraamaya Life hopes that the Budget provides a plan that drives growth, prioritises tourism and healthcare, and supports sustainability.
Expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Parag Munot, MD of Kalpataru anticipates initiatives that support economic growth and accelerate infrastructure development.
“The shift towards urbanisation and incentivised home loans is expected to enhance GDP. We encourage the government to continue investing in infrastructure and streamline the tax framework to benefit capital-intensive sectors like real estate," Munot added.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Shriti Malhotra, Group CEO of Quest Retail, which owns The Body Shop brand, is hopeful that the Budget will have “policies that uplift the retail sector especially fostering youth employment, sustainable practices and inclusivity in hiring".
Expectations:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: According to Vivek Jalan, Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP, the Union Budget is expected to provide a GST exemption on services of Indian intermediaries such as auctioneers/ e-auction platforms, and e-commerce platforms serving international markets.
“For example, for commission received by Indian agents for goods which are supplied as well as received out of India is now sought to be exempt from GST. The same is expected to be done by deleting Section 13(8)(b) of IGST Act 2017, on place of supply for intermediaries," Jalan noted.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: The Indian government should find more ways to encourage citizens to take part in equity markets, feels Bruce Keith, CEO and Co-Founder of InvestorAi.
Keith expects 2025 to be “dominated by global geopolitics" which will add to ongoing market volatility and short-term pain. “I see India as a destination of choice for overseas investors. However, the Indian government should find more ways to encourage citizens to take part in equity markets — realising that your savings are being eaten by inflation in real terms usually happens too late and tends to disadvantage the lower income strata of society," he noted.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Nikhil Sethi, Founder & MD, Zuvomo feels that Budget 2025 is a critical moment for India to reclaim its leadership in the global tech ecosystem.
India ranks #1 in the number of crypto holders, and #3 in tech unicorns globally, according to Sethi, who added that despite these impressive numbers, India seem to have missed the Web3 tsunami — which doubled its market cap in 2024 and saw DeFi TVL surge by 2000 per cent year-on-year (YoY).
“Ambiguity in crypto compliance and a regressive tax regime have hindered innovation, pushing startups and talent overseas. The RBI's stance reflects a lack of understanding of decentralization's intrinsic nature—it cannot be banned, only regulated," he added.
Expectations from Budget include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Yogesh Chaudhary, Director of Jaipur Rugs is optimistic about the government’s continued focus on empowering the handmade carpet industry in the coming Budget.
Expectations include:
“We are confident that the budget will bring forward measures that will elevate the handmade carpet sector, allowing it to thrive and flourish in the years to come," Chaudhary added.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Sushant Roy, Co-founder COO, and CBO at Alyve Health feels that it is essential to spotlight the transformative role of comprehensive health plans in promoting proactive healthcare ahead of the Union Budget.
For the Budget, expectations include:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: This Union Budget must maintain India’s growth, and initiate reforms to increase attractiveness as investment destination, feels Peush Jain, MD-Commercial Leasing and Advisory at Anarock Group.
Jain noted that the office sector growth is expected to stay buoyant with supply to touch a billion sq.ft. by the end of the 2025, due to record leasing activity led by GCCs and flex space operators.
Expectations:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: Ankur Jalan, CEO, Golden Growth Fund (GGF) believes that alternate investment funds (AIFs) are a tool for wealth diversification that is preferred choice of affluent individuals. To this, to noted that real estate contributed the highest share of investment from AIFs at over ₹75,400 crore in the first half of FY25 with participation from both domestic and foreign investors.
“Real estate focused AIFs have huge opportunity to tap the untapped potential of the vast real estate landscape in the country by opening up not only funding avenues for development but also wealth creation for investors," Jalan added.
What are the expectations from the Budget?
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: A “lot of hope" is being pinned on the coming Union Budget 2025-26 amid the weak urban demand over the past year, according to Garvit Tiwari, Director & Co-Founder, InfraMantra, a Gurugram based property consulting firm.
Tiwari feels that the Budget can “help revive urban consumption so that India maintains its growth trajectory".
Expectations:
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: The Indian tourism industry reached $199.6 billion GDP contribution in 2024, according to Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip.
He noted that India saw a rise in outbound tourism and inbound tourism and secured the 39th position in the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index (2024); and laued the government's initiatives such as PRASHAD, Dekho Apna Desh, Incredible India and the E-visa scheme. He also noted that the Centre allocated ₹2,479 crore to the tourism industry for FY25.
Expectations: Expect to see a new era being for the country with an increased involvement in global travel, better protection and development of the country’s heritage, and an even advanced infrastructure and high-tech digital assets.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live Updates: The exemption of customs duty on import of technology should get consideration, according to Vivek Jalan — Partner at Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP.
He expects:
With the govt focus on electric vehicles, Jalan feels that relief is expected for manufacturing of EVs and parts of EVs, especially Lithium Ion Cells (batteries), which are the biggest component of EVs. “Industry and other ministries have represented to already made representations to the Finance Ministry regarding exemption of customs duty on import of technology, machines, equipment for manufacturing Li-Io Cells in India. This should get some consideration from Government in Union Budget 2025," he added.
“A settlement of dispute scheme in customs is long pending now that such schemes have been rolled out In all other tax laws. Hence it is expected that such a scheme may see light of day in customs too. It will help importers and exporters," Jalan added.
