No increase in passenger fares and freight rates in the Railway budget presented on Friday, might be seen as an expectation of no significant increase in excise duties in the coming Union Budget on Monday. CARE Ratings on Friday said it expects no significant increase in excise duties in the coming Union Budget.
“No increase in passenger fares and freight rates in the Railway budget presented on Friday, might be seen as an expectation of no significant increase in excise duties in the coming Union Budget,” the rating agency said in a statement.
This also means that the government is keen on controlling inflation and has deferred any hike in rail charges, it said.
The Union Budget will be presented in Parliament on Monday.
In its Railway budget analysis, CARE Ratings said that the railway transport is vital for economic development. With highest ever allocation of Rs. 57,630 crore, the budget looks optimistic on moving towards building of a strong railroad infrastructure.
The budget provides significant opportunities for private investment with 85 proposals for public- private partnership plans. Overall infrastructure investment will receive a boost, it observed.
In view of way forward for GST, this is unlikely and there are bright chances that the Budget will have a platform of 10% as the peak rate for all duties with witdrawal of previous stimulus packages.