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Initiatives for restoring the financial viability of the SEBs seems to be a right thing to do. This is however a magnanimous task as SEBs do not fall under the Central government, as they are a state subject.

The Central Govt could look at forming joint Ventures with SEBs so that they become more accountable. They could start with focus on distribution and then move on to transmission and then generation.

Though the Budget has emphasised reform in the power sector, there is no mention of power generation through co-gen. There should be a budgetary grant to generate renewable power.

K Taranath , MD , Kirloskar Copeland

The Budget has put the much-needed emphasis on infrastructure, power, IT and roads. This will definitely have a positive effect on the other industries.
Surcharge on import duty being abolished, will make imports cheaper, and to that extent will result in stiff competition to Indian industries.

With regard to the CENVAT rate that has been reduced to a single slab as compared to the three slabs earlier (except for a few items), it is not clear as to how it will positively impact the air-conditioning industry.

Dr. C. Pratap Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals Ltd

"Nothing is there for the healthcare industry in this budget and it is really disappointing," complained Dr. C. Pratap Reddy, chairman, Apollo Hospitals Ltd, Chennai. Continuing his complaint against the 2001-2002 union budget he said, the mindset of the government hasn’t changed after all these years when it comes to healthcare sector.

According to him corporate hospitals save precious foreign exchange and that has not been rewarded with incentive. "When commercial vehicle is given 50 per cent depreciation benefit the same is not extended to medical equipments. With technological advances in the medical equipments accelerated depreciation benefits should be allowed so that hospitals go in for new
equipments," he said.