The anti AIDS drug ‘Atazanavir’ as well as bulk drugs for its manufactures have been totally exempted from excise duty in the General Budget 2008-09 proposals. Excise duty on water purification devices, veneers and flush door, sterile dressing pads, specifying package material and breakfast cereals has been reduced from 16 to 8 per cent.. The duty on filter as well as non-filter cigarettes has been enhanced.
To encourage cold chain facility, refrigeration equipment above 2 tonne refrigeration (TR) utilizing power of 50 KW and above on end use basis has been totally exempted from excise duty.