The main positive highlights of the budget were emphasis on speedy dispute resolution and arbitration through international arbitration centre; E-bill system for procurements and quicker payments; implementation of surety bonds; infrastructure status to Data Centres for easier financing; rationalisation of taxation for joint ventures; about 75,000 compliances eliminated & 1,486 union laws repealed to enhance ease of doing business; and tax on project imports.
These initiatives will ensure that payments are disbursed faster and provide a fillip to infrastructure companies so that they can focus on doing their core work – creating world-class infrastructure to support India’s growth story.
In addition, we also welcome the government’s various announcements on the infrastructure front such as Drinking water projects allocated Rs 60000 crore; Housing projects allocated Rs 48000 crore; 100 cargo terminals in three years; highway expansion by 25000 kms; four Multi-modal National Parks; standardization of metro systems including civil structures; and four pilot projects for setting up coal gasification. Lastly, we would like to point out that the Capex target has been expanded by 35.4 per cent — from Rs 5.54 lakh crore to Rs 7.50 lakh crore which is an excellent move.
