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Radio

Big FM Announces Season 2 Of Popular Show ‘Lamhe’

April 7, 2018

BIG FM, India’s largest radio network, known for innovative programming and concept based shows, has announced Season 2 of its popular show ‘Lamhe’. The outstanding

93.5 RED FM bats sixer with SunRisers Hyderabad this VIVO IPL 2018

April 7, 2018

With the onset of IPL’s 11th season, 93.5 RED FM, one of the leading private radio network announced its association with SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) for

Brand

Truecaller Reaches 100 Million Daily Active Users

April 20, 2018

Truecaller announced that it has reached over 100 million active users who use the app on a daily basis. In less than a year, the

Shriram Transport Finance, first NBFC to launch 24X7 smart branch

April 20, 2018

NEU Salonz to be the first eco-friendly and sustainable salon in India

April 20, 2018

INOX Leisure Ltd. Adds Five New IMAX Theatres To Circuit

April 20, 2018

Sony Yay! Announces Offerings On TV And Beyond

April 19, 2018

ofo launches bicycle-sharing pilot in Delhi Technological University

April 19, 2018

Hero Motocorp Launches E-Commerce Portal To Retail Hero Genuine Parts

April 18, 2018

Wipro Consumer Care enters Hair oil segment with Chandrika

April 18, 2018

Mr. Nikhil Arora Vice-President & MD, GoDaddy India

“The budget this year focused towards “Ease of Living” & “Ease of doing Business” to strengthen agriculture, health, education, employment, MSME and infrastructure sectors”. It is good to know that our economy is on course to achieve over 8% growth. Government is recognizing the multi-faceted role played by the MSME sector towards encouraging the generation of self-employment with these tax relief and subsidies on custom duty. This year’s budget also saw a huge allocation of funds to the MSME sector to help them get started and continue to grow, this allocation comes as a big relief for the sector badly in need for such encouragement. More support for MSME for NPAs and troubled enterprises and funding will indeed benefit the MSME sector at large and contribute to the Indian economy in the long run. Overall, the budget focusses on making positive structural reforms to drive India’s growth story further.”

Mr. Rajeev Sharma, Head-Corporate Services & Strategic Planning, Mitsubishi Electric India Pvt. Ltd.

"This seems to be a very balanced and cautious budget which is a good for all. Mitsubishi Electric is a global leader in social infrastructure and the focus of Government of India on infrastructure development is a welcome move excites us. The boost in allocation to infrastructure development like roads, railways, building airports will have far reaching long-term impact and Mitsubishi Electric would be willing to be an active partner in this growth and development story of India.
Also the budget outlay of 2.04 lakh crore for the selected 99 smart cities is a welcome step and Mitsubishi Electric has global experience on contributing to such projects which could be leveraged in these projects."

Mr. Yadupati Singhania , Chairman and MD, JK Cement

“On the infrastructure front, the Finance Minister has shown remarkable restraint, and therein lies the brilliance of his announcements. India is at the cusp of an infrastructure revolution, and the budgetary support of Rs. 5.97 lakh crore for FY19 will be a big positive for the sector and supplementary industries such as cement.
The focus of the government will likely remain on effective and timely execution of existing projects, with the FM promising construction of 9,000 km highways by the end of FY19. Also, it was encouraging to see the reinforcement of the government’s commitment to the Bharatmala Project, which will be a major boost to demand in the next financial year.
Besides this, the announcement of the Affordable Housing Fund was also a positive announcement, especially since it will create an impetus for the housing sector, which contributes around 65% to India’s cement demand.”

Mr. Tarun Katial, CEO, BIG FM

"With healthcare being one of the focal points of the just concluded Union Budget 2018, the entertainment and broadcast industry did not see any major announcements. However, with the proposal to reduce corporate tax to 25% for companies with a turnover of up to INR 250 CR, will encourage more investments by producers to create more compelling content for the entertainment industry. Also, the announcement of setting up 5 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots in rural areas will ensure wider reach, boosting overall digital content consumption in the country to a great extent."

Dr. Rishi Mohan Bhatnagar, President, Aeris India

“We welcome the clear thrust on infrastructure that this budget has proposed. Addition of new smart cities and a higher allocation for such projects along with emphasis on niche technologies and the Digital India drive are also welcome. I was expecting a reduction in tax on hardware from 18 to 5 percent and a move towards rationalising spectrum license fees for promoting IoT adoption in the country. High capital investment requirement could slow down the IoT adoption momentum in our country and decelerate its evolution as an enabler for various Digital India programs.”

Rahul Singh, Founder & CEO, The Beer Cafe, President NRAI

”The Restaurant Industry was eagerly looking at an announcement on re-introduction of ITC for restaurants from the Finance Minister. Ours is the only industry which does not receive this benefit. We have also been requesting for the introduction of a uniform policy that includes Single Window Clearance and Reduction in no. of Licenses required for operating a restaurant for a very long time. We are an industry worth Rs 3,52,000 crore which is expected to grow to Rs 5,52,000 crore by 2022. For an industry of this size generating over 8 million jobs, it is disappointing to see that no specific announcement was made.”

Mr. Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO, OYO

“This year's Union Budget stood for entrepreneurship, employment and quality of life. The announcements made today will benefit MSMEs, including small hotels. At OYO, we have a network of over 3500 exclusively controlled hotels in the MSME sector and we believe that the budget presented today will facilitate the growth of our partners. The Mudra Loan allocation of INR 3 lakh crore will help in enabling SMEs to generate more jobs while creating thousands of new entrepreneurs too. One major change which we were expecting was GST being levied on the actual price rather than the declared tariff for hotel accommodation. We'll continue to engage with the government to make this happen which will leave no room for litigation and benefit the hospitality industry.
The government's decision of developing 10 model destinations across India and investing in strengthening the country's airport network and infrastructure will boost the tourism sector.
The reduction of corporate tax is a welcome move but we are hoping the limit to be pegged higher than INR 250 crore so as to benefit more corporate entities. We appreciate the measures taken by the government to keep the alarming pollution levels in control. This is a major step towards ensuring the quality of life for citizens."

Mr. Amit Modi, Director, ABA Corp and Vice President, CREDAI Western UP

“We appreciate the government’s impetus on the development of overall infrastructure as it will also bring the boost in the real estate sector. Although, at the same time, the government has missed out a big step as we expected the limit of tax deduction for housing loans to be increased up to Rs 5 Lakh from present limit of Rs 2 Lakh per annum because it would have brought the much needed fillip to the infrastructure sector. The initiative of setting up of a dedicated fund for affordable housing will help create more affordable supply generating demand from end-users. The long term capital gain tax on the equity will also create a level playing field for the long term capital parking in the real estate sector. We would also like to acknowledge the announcement of a new Flagship National Health Protection Scheme, providing health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year as it will increase the productivity of the workforce in the infrastructure and real estate sector.”

Mr Devendra Darda, Managing Director, Lokmat Media Group

‘“The budget has thankfully kept the interest of the consumers in line and so our readers. It is a consumer friendly budget and there has not been any major ups and downs.
However, it is also looking at the business growth and entrepreneurship in the country. We look forward to manage our news print cost and giving the best to our readers”

Ms. Megha Tata, COO, BTVI

‘’Budget announcements signal a stronger eco system for media and broadcast industry. In continuation with my pre-budget expectations, I am happy that FM has kept his promise by reducing corporate tax rate to 25 %.’’

Suramya Nevatia, CEO of Hind Rectifiers Ltd.

“This is an overall inclusive growth augmented budget with special emphasis on the backbone of the economy: Agriculture, Health, Education and Infrastructure. We welcome the finance minister’s announcement of allocating Rs 1.48 lakh crore towards capital expenditure for Indian Railways, which is the highest ever amount provided till date for this sector. The Railway’s focus on modernization of signaling and safety systems along with optimum electrification will not only enhance the efficiency but can also move a large amount of trade traffic from road to railways.
Most ancillary companies affiliated with rail infrastructure should benefit on account of this huge proposed capex allocated towards rail infrastructure”.

Ganesh Raju Partner and Leader startup PwC

“Separate policy allowing Venture Capital firms to invest in hybrid instruments is a welcome move. Permitting issue of hybrid instruments such as redeemable shares, optionally convertible debentures etc will enable startup founders have greater control over the company rather than diluting their stake through equity funding in initial stages"

Sunay Gandhi, Founder and CEO, Pristine Fire

The jewellery industry has a significant role to play in the country’s overall economy. While the customs duty on cut and polished colored gemstones and diamonds has gone up to 5%, we are looking for a positive outcome from the budget since the government has announced the formulation of a comprehensive Gold Policy to develop gold as an asset class. Gold exchange is also expected to be regulated by the federal government. The Gold Monetization Scheme will be revamped so that people can open gold deposit accounts in a hassle-free manner. These provisions are expected to promote buying and investing in gold jewellery. However the customs duty With 60 percent of gold demand coming from rural India, the budget's focus on boosting rural and farm incomes could benefit us since Pristine Fire commits to bring the plethora of jewellery designs accessible to the patrons living in the remote corners of the country.

Mr. Shubhrakant Panda, MD & CEO, IMFA Ltd

“The Union Budget announced by the Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley has a strong focus on infrastructure creation including rural electrification & housing and roads. This will boost the manufacturing sector and help create demand for steel / stainless steel and other building materials. Social sector allocation towards health insurance benefitting 50 crore people will provide a much needed safety net and, along with other measures such as in education, help create a strong foundation for sustainable long term growth.”

Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories

“The government’s focus on rural development and agriculture is a welcome step. The long overdue emphasis on our rural economy and agriculture will stimulate demand. The announcement of the Aayushman Bharat program for healthcare is a game changer and the coverage of ten crore people under the National health protection scheme is commendable. This will give an impetus to healthcare benefits for people in the most deserving sections of society.
Overall, while the budget appears to be a progressive one, it was disappointing to note that the reduction in corporate tax was offered only to companies with a turnover under of Rs. 250 crores”

Siddhartha Roy, CEO of Hungama.com

"The latest budget announcements on the 'Digital India' initiative focus on their plan to create a robust infrastructure and facilitate extensive rural penetration which will lead to a sizeable boost in the digital consumption economy in the country. We expect entertainment to be big driver in this consumption journey."

Mr. Ravi Saxena, MD, Wonderchef Home Appliances

"A welcome budget with boost to food processing, infrastructure, healthcare for poor and needy, education and employment opportunities. 5% reduction in corporate tax for MSMEs will boost compliance and investment. Important steps have been taken towards ease of doing business".

Vinay Sarwagi, Desk Head, News18.com

"Like every year, Budget 2018 presented us with a great opportunity to explain economy and policy to the masses. While News18.com's live blog and explainers focused on breaking the stories first and decoding the budget numbers for the readers, in-depth analysis and opinion were the key differentiators going beyond the obvious. We are heartened to see the massive reader interest, which broke all our past reader engagement records. Clearly, on big news days News18.com has become the most preferred destination."

Nidheesh Tyagi, Editor, Languages, News18.com

"I think Budget 2018 is very much in line with the last “big bang” before the all important Lok Sabha elections next year. I wish there was more action around generating jobs, attracting youth and first time voters through schemes for career oriented education. Keeping the focus on agriculture and poverty alleviation, especially with an eye on the upcoming election, was an obvious move. Whether the government will be able to execute all that they have promised through this Budget is the key."

Mr. Deepak Lamba, CEO, Worldwide Media

The ‘Digital India’ program has received a major boost with double the allocation of Rs. 3073 Crore for the coming year. Budget 2018 has proposed the set-up of 5 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots in rural areas thereby providing broadband access to 5 crore rural citizens. Much to the delight of digital media players, this move will open extended avenues for them and give a strong push to regional and mainstream digital content in these markets. With extensive broadband penetration, affordable data prices and smartphones, the vision for digital India could well come to fruition in the coming years. Lastly, the estimated over 7% growth for the next fiscal creates a positive sentiment for India's economic and financial ecosystem.

Harish Doraiswamy, Vice President - Qualifications, Schools & Vocational, Pearson India

“The government has presented a well-balanced budget with a focus on addressing the fundamental needs of education in India. The budget rightly focuses on movement from traditional blackboards to digital boards which offer enhanced learning experience to students. We are confident that the promotion of digital platforms and use of technology will increase reach and ensure superior outcomes. The government understands the need for quality of education and setting up of higher education finance agency, integrated B.Ed programme and revitalizing infrastructure and systems' in Education by 2022 with Rs 1 Lakh crore in next 4 years, steps in right direction. Furthermore, significant budgetary allocation towards improving education infrastructure in the country augurs well for learners.”

Anant Goel, CEO and Co-founder, Milkbasket

“We welcome the government’s decision to reduce corporate tax to 25%, from a flat 35% earlier. This is a boon for the startup ecosystem and will help many MSMEs in doing business more efficiently. Budget’s focus on farmers’ welfare is appreciated and the end delivery segment will also benefit from this,”

Dr R Theyvendran, MDIS Secretary-General

"From an education perspective, the Union Budget proposals for 2018 – 2019 look progressive. One conspicuous highlight is its focus on enhancing the quality of education. For more than a decade now there has been a lot of debate surrounding the quality of education and how to maximise learning outcomes in India. The Hon’ble Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley’s focus on using digital technology for enhancing the scope of the sector is bound to be a game changer in the country’s education system. The start of an integrated B. Ed. program with teachers training as the main focus will ensure better educationists, which in turn will ensure better quality students and a more responsible education structure. The proposal to invest Rs. 1 lakh crore over the next 4 years for a new drive to boost Research and Development is laudable, and will go a long way in bringing in more professional education modules. The biggest driver in the sector will undoubtedly be the thrust on moving from ‘black boards to digital boards’ with increased emphasis on technology and digital intensification."

Mayank Bhangadia, Co-founder, and CEO, Roposo

"While Budget 2018 is majorly focused on the agriculture and education industry, there are a few points which may act as the foundation of future growth of startups in India. The reduction of corporate tax is clearly one of them and would surely help to some extent. The proposed plan to set up 5 lakh Wifi Hotspots is also quite a progressive decision, given that it is implemented properly and as soon as possible.
The budget would have been a lot better if it focused more on start-ups which comprise the bottom of the industry pyramid. I believe incorporating that into the plan would have helped in the progression of the industry as a whole. Apart from that, I am quite glad that the government has placed growth as its main agenda for the budget rather than the 2019 elections."

Mr. Rahul Puri, Managing Director, Mukta Arts

It was an expected budget. I think that it was widely believed the Government would focus on the rural economy and so it came to pass. There was not much expected for the media and entertainment industry and there was nothing specific announced. Corporate India would be slightly disappointed though as corporate taxation was not reduced except for small enterprises. Aviation and farming the big winners.

Adhil Shetty CEO and Co-founder BankBazaar

“Rs5Lac is a great mediclaim amount and 50 Cr individuals is a great target. This will create tremendous awareness for medical insurance in the same way as Jan Dhan which ensured every Indian to have a bank account. This will push for every Indian to have medical insurance. On life insurance the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yogana including Rs 2Lac Life cover is being pushed across a larger base which is a great sign. Rs 2 Lac critical cover is also being extended to a larger base."

Revathi Roy, Founder Hey DeeDee

"Its a great move to have 50 cr people getting insurance benefit of 5 laks each. This is huge. This will make the living standards so much better and in turn will enhance day to day living"

Vivek Bhargava, CEO, DAN Performance Group

“FM Jaitley’s budget this year focuses on investments to be placed in artificial intelligence, machine learning and The Internet of Things with the NITI Aayog establishing a national program to direct efforts in artificial intelligence. The government has committed itself to the development of technology along with concentrating on AI and its applications which is a revolutionary move for the digital industry. Initiatives on infrastructure growth and education expansion have been looked at from a digital perspective, which reflects the significance of the ‘Blackboard to digital board’ movement. Decisions benefiting rural citizens – such as 5 lakh WiFi spots, give it a further impetus. Another game changer mentioned in this budget was the government’s will to proactively explore the use of blockchain technology. The allocation of Digital India has been doubled which indicates the government’s emphasis on digital, heralding a stronger digital economy. I believe this was a great budget for the digital ecosystem.”