Dr. Nirakar Pradhan, Chief Investment Officer, Future Generali India Life Insurance on today's budget announcement.
"The maiden budget of our new Finance Minister clearly addressed three vital aspects of economy: adhering toFiscal Discipline, boosting Investment climate and reviving Growth.
- Despite the challenging macro environment, the FM has kept the Fiscal Deficit within 4.1% for FY 2014-15 as envisaged in interim budget in February 2014.
- He has raised personal income tax exemption level from Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 2.5 lakhs, hiked interest rate deduction limit on home loans from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 2 lakhs and increased investment limit under Sec 80 C from Rs 1 lakhs to Rs 1.5 lakhs. This will help in channelizing household savings for industry, infrastructure and housing. Also hike in FDI limit in Insurance and Defence sector from 26% to 49% would bring in much needed long term capital to respective industry.
- Incentives for REIT, benefits for long term infrastructure loans and allocation of Rs 37,000 crores towards road projects etc are measures to revive real estate and kick-start infrastructure projects."