Category: Budget

CNBC-TV18’s Shereen Bhan talks business before Budget 2014

MUMBAI: She is the most familiar face of Indian business news channel, providing investors and corporate India with insights about the dynamics of Indian economy and financial markets.

CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan, who anchors and produces several shows such as Young Turks, India Business Hour and Power Turks, is neck deep in work with the rail budget already announced and one day to go for the much awaited maiden budget to be presented by the new Narendra Modi led BJP government at the helm.

While most channels are looking at concentrating on one aspect, Bhan says that their perspective will be a 360 degree angle one. “The key question we will be asking is if the budget will be able to deliver. There will be a sharp focus on market reactions, the stance taken by other countries giving India a thumbs up and about investment in domestic capital. We will analyse the long term and short term ideas the government has as well as the reforms that will be taken up to revive the economy. We will also look at how the fiscal deficit can be improved by the new government. While the analysis will primarily be on the domestic economy, we will also look at the budget from a political angle and try to draw political reactions.”

The guest line-up includes India’s corporate giants like HDFC Bank chairman Deepak Parekh, HSBC India country head Naina Lal Kidwai, Godrej chairman Adi Godrej, Kotak Mahindra vice chairman Uday Kotak, GVK vice chairman Sanjay Reddy, TPG Growth India chairman Manish Chokhani and Helios Capital founder and fund manager Samir Arora. Foreign investors and rating agencies will also give their take on the budget.

To get a political perspective political parties like BJP, Congress, TMC, CPI (M) and leaders such as Jyotiraditya Scindia and Sitaram Yechury will be on air.

Bhan, who will be on air right from morning 8 am till late night, will be tracking foreign direct investment in the news sector and reforms in the capital markets and infrastructure sector.

July 9, 2014
Most comprehensive budget analysis on Zee News

MUMBAI: With hopes soaring ahead of the Union budget FY 15, Zee News has lined up a series of programmes under the brand of ‘Ab Ki Baar Khush Kar Do Sarkar’ that reflects the aspiration of the common man. The programming will dejargonise the technicalities of the budget. With the focus centered on the aam admi, Zee News seeks to articulate and analyse the Budget for the lowest common denominator and how it’s going to impact their daily lives. Zee News will telecast the pre Budget discussions and analysis from 7AM onwards and will bring in live and uninterrupted coverage of the Finance Minister Budget Speech from 11 AM onwards.

With best editorial minds to decipher and analyze the maiden Union Budget of the NDA government, Zee News will bring together leading experts across different fields in India along with policy makers. Through detailed shows, the news channel aims to reach out to every Indian from industrialists to the common man by providing a detailed coverage.

In its effort to reach the common man, the channel has planned a special live event from Connaught Place from 7pm to 9pm in order to engage the public in a meaningful debate with our anchors and experts. The channel will also beam a live show from the Noida campus of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow so as to capture the views of young MBA students on the Budget.

Mr. Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor, Zee News said, “With all eyes on the much-anticipated Budget, an extensive programming on the budget day has been lined up, which will give our viewers a holistic view on the economy and the impact on their pocket. It will be an opportunity for us to share all the analysis and aspects of the Union Budget.”

Zee News will also showcase special shows analyzing key policies and schemes of the government and measure their impact on the economy as well as on the pocket of common men. Moreover, the series will capture the expectations of key decision makers following the budget. The special shows will present a comprehensive analysis of the Budgets from a variety of perspectives, and its impact.
Stay tuned to Zee News for the most credible and accurate analysis of Budget 2014.

July 9, 2014
CNBC TV-18 presents 360 degree budget special

MUMBAI: We are just one day away from the new BJP government’s first and most crucial decision making exercise- Budget 2014. With much hope riding on it, questions are being asked as to whether Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will stand true to the things he had promised while he was contesting the elections.

A channel that has made its presence felt since the last 14 years has lined up some interesting shows for pre budget and post budget sessions. CNBC TV-18 managing editor Shereen Bhan will host Meet the Ministers where she has been speaking to various cabinet ministers to know about their priorities for the upcoming year, most specifically finance and commerce ministers. What India Inc. Wants will analyse the business fraternity’s expectations from the Modi budget.

Dalal Street’s big names will discuss the upcoming budget in What Markets Want while the big names from the FIIs and MNCs will reveal their hopes and aspirations from the new political centre and its effect on business through The Global Investor View. Some other shows include Fiscal State, Taxing Times, The Development Agenda, Budget & You and Sectoral Budget Expectations.

These special shows will be accompanied by the channel’s existing shows that will have budget specials such as Young Turks, Indianomics, Forbes India Show and others.

Ground events are being conducted with big names from CNBC TV-18. Shereen Bhan will host Budget Agenda while Network18 business newsroom editor-in-chief Senthil Chengalvarayan will host What India Wants to collate a macro perspective on India Inc.’s expectations. What Markets Want will have leading market and financial experts analysing what the masses and the capital markets expect from the budget. Investor Conclave, Young India and The Verdict are two more ongoing shows.

Commenting on the budget programming, CNBC channels CEO Anil Uniyal said, “We are happy to set a new benchmark this year as well, with tri-lingual coverage for the first time in English, Hindi and Gujarati. This year’s budget is especially critical, as the new government has to fulfill electoral expectations of reform and development. Our special budget programming anchored by India’s finest editorial minds will bring viewers the best analysis of the challenges faced by the new Finance Minister and his decisions that will impact industry.”

10 July will have live coverage of the budget through the day with bulletins and specials such as India Business Hour- Budget Special and on 11 July, breakfast shows on CNBC TV-18 will analyse the impact of the budget and a follow up show that will look into how the budget announcements will affect the common man’s investments.

Sponsors for the shows include Llloyd Electrics, RPSG, askme.com, F6 Finserve, Muthoot Corp, State Bank of India.

CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan said, “With a keen finger on the pulse of India Inc’s expectations and indications from the street, CNBC-TV18 is poised to present another defining season of budget coverage. Through a panorama of special programming and initiatives focusing on budget expectations, analysis and impact, CNBC-TV18 will once again ensure specialised coverage with the most breadth and depth, in the run up to and on budget day.”

July 9, 2014
Zee Business to bring the most comprehensive budget analysis

MUMUBAI: With the new dispensation in place the aspirations of the common man is soaring high, Zee Business (part of India’s largest News Network, Zee Media Corporation Limited) India’s No. 1 Hindi business news channel will bring the most comprehensive budget analysis for its viewers on the budget day.

Zee Business will telecast the pre Budget discussions and analysis from 7 am onwards and will bring in live and uninterrupted coverage of the Hon’ble Finance Minister Budget Speech from 11 am onwards. The channel will articulate, analyse and keep the common man abreast of all the impacts that Budget is going to have on their daily lives.

Interestingly themed as the “Abki baar, sapne sakaar”, Zee Business will have expert panel, business leaders and corporate captains throughout the day to give their expert advice. Post the Finance Minister’s speech, Zee Business will undertake a series of power packed Budget Bulletins. Some of these bulletins will comprise of high power panel discussions and will involve expert comments from the nation’s top business leaders and policy makers. Some of the key Ministers holding important portfolios have already appeared and shared their views, and will also do so during post-Budget analysis programmes. To name a few are Hon’ble Minister of Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy, Sh. Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Sh. Prakash Javadekar and Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.

Further, special shows has been conceptualized which are thoroughly researched from industry point of view without losing the ground reality and its impact on the common man. Expert opinions, industry perspective viz – a – viz market reaction and informative bulletins will be telecast.

What’s more, Zee Business will focus strongly on adding value to the viewer experience and building interactivity on the day of India’s most important economic event, the channel will organize a viewer’s engagement program throughout the day from different parts of the country. Here, commoners get a voice to air their reaction and feedback on the pertinent issues on budget. The channel will undertake post – budget analysis including, which will help the audiences to decipher their expectations.

Mr. Samir Ahluwalia, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Media Corporation Limited said, “With clear understanding of the expectations of the India Inc. as well as indications of the common man, Zee Business is poised to present a comprehensive Budget coverage. Through special programming & initiatives focusing on budget expectations, analysis & impact, Zee Business will once again ensure specialized coverage on Budget Day.”

July 9, 2014
CNN-IBN & IBN7 gear up for the Budget of Hope

MUMBAI: The recently elected Modi government will be presenting its first Budget on July 10 amidst high expectations. All of India is expecting Budget 2014 to give fresh impetus to the economy and deliver on the government’s promise of “Achhe Din.” To get a 360 degree perspective of what Budget 2014 will mean for the people of the country, CNN-IBN and IBN7 present the Budget of Hope & Modi Mantra-Budget 2014, respectively. Our array of special programming will include interviews, debates, analysis and discussions relevant to different sections of society – from industrialists to financial investors, small vendors to home makers.

Our coverage will be led by a formidable team of anchors and journalists – Bhupendra Chaubey, Anubha Bhonsle, Karma Paljor, Sanjeev Paliwal, Smita Sharma and Sandeep Chaudhary. Our panel of experts consisting of the most pre-eminent economists, policy makers and senior journalists in the country – Swapan Dasgupta, Mani Shanker Aiyar, Shankar Acharya, Smita Gupta, Surajit Majumdar, Prasenjit bose, CM Vasudev, Vivian Fernandes, Siddharth Zarabi, Mohan Guruswamy, Vikram Mehta, and Sumant Sinha will elucidate every aspect of Budget 2014, making our analysis of the milestone budget unparalleled.

The key highlights of the Budget 2014 coverage is as under:

On July 9th, preceding the General Budget, The Economic Survey will highlight the economic performance of the country in the year gone by on key parameters. Through this one-hour special CNN-IBN & IBN7 will be showcasing the findings of the Economic Survey, with our panel of experts.

On July 10th, Budget of Hope on CNN-IBN and Modi Mantra Budget on IBN7 will present a day-long coverage where our anchors and experts will discuss threadbare the key highlights of Budget 2014 and implications of the same for the common man/woman, key sectors and the overall economy. We will also have several special shows through the day including Rate the Budget and Budget & You on CNN-IBN and Kya Aa Gaye Achche Din and Call IN with Subhash Lakhotia where the Tax expert will address all the queries from the viewers only on IBN7.

Don’t miss the special coverage on The Economic Survey on July 9th @12pm-1pm on CNN-IBN and 7pm-8pm on IBN7 by Union Budget programming, on July 10th, on both the channels, starting 8.00 am through the day.

July 9, 2014
Government should address the long-pending insurance bill: Sanjay Tripathy

Life insurance is one of the most important segments of the financial services industry and has contributed immensely to boost various sectors in the economy through its ability to make long term investments, and provide huge employment opportunities. Currently the sector is reeling under tough economic environment and regulatory changes that have been instituted in last couple of years. The industry needs support from the government of India, to help it in further contributing to nation building in the coming years.

As an immediate step, the new government should address the following to boost growth in the life insurance industry:

1. Re-looking at the current investment limits for tax rebates and certain current tax provisions would augur well for the industry. Life insurance is a socio economic instrument. In absence of any strong social security system by the government, at least the investment in life insurance premiums should be given additional limit of at least Rs 1 lakh, instead of clubbing the same with other investments u/s 80C of the Income tax Act, 1961. This will inculcate the habit of systematic and consistent long-term savings among retail investors. The present limit of Rs 1 lakh has not been increased in the past several years.

2. To encourage customers to meet their retirement needs, investment in pension premium should be given separate deduction. Currently, such investments are clubbed with 80C investments. Annuity has been an unpopular investment choice because of its tax disadvantage. The maturity proceeds from Annuity are currently fully taxable as income, which effectively means that income is taxed twice.

3. The current limit of Rs 15,000 in health insurance must be enhanced to at least Rs 50,000. Currently an individual gets a deduction of Rs 15,000 for health insurance premiums paid (apart from a similar deduction on premiums paid on the lives of their parents).

Growing inflation has increased the cost of medical treatment. This has made it necessary for health insurance to be taken by every individual. In order to help the common man in meeting increased medical costs, offering more tax incentives would help in promoting health insurance.

4. The service tax charged to insurance companies has been increased to 12 per cent from the existing 10 per cent and the rate on life insurance policies where entire premium is not toward risk cover increased to 3 per cent for the first year and maintained at 1.5 per cent for subsequent years. At the same time mutual funds are exempted from such tax.

Overall, the change in tax has rendered life insurance at a position of disadvantage vis-a-vis MFs, PPFs, NPS, etc. Revisiting these changes will definitely provide the necessary impetus to help attract funds into long term savings and protection products offered by the life insurance industry.

5. Armed with an absolute majority, the new government is expected to address the long pending insurance bill, which looks to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the sector from the current 26 per cent to 49 per cent. FDI relaxation would encourage long-term fund inflow that would both encourage the growth of insurance in India as well as provide the government with access to funds to aid infrastructure growth.

Moreover, insurance industry has seen negative job creation as number of agents and employees have been on the wane. FDI would get in greater investments into the sector and make it an attractive proposition for good talent.

We also expect clarity to emerge on the road map of DTC and GST. This would help the industry better plan in the implementation of the new regulations.

(These are purely personal views of HDFC Life senior executive vice president marketing product, digital & e-commerce Sanjay Tripathy and indiantelevision.com does not subscribe to these views.)

July 8, 2014
Esha Media Research sees surge in demand of Railway Budget 2014 news clips

KOLKATA: As the Union Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda started presenting his maiden Rail Budget in Lok Sabha on 8 July, Esha Media Research, a media monitoring and research company, saw an increase in inquiries, seeking news clips of the Railway Budget.

The enquiries were for news clips in parts or as a whole from different stakeholders and interested parties across the ecosystem including big information technology (IT) companies and foreign direct investors (FDIs). The BJP-led government has mooted railway digitisation and foreign investment to improve the country’s railway system.

Esha Media Research says that it currently monitors 140 channels across the nation in all languages. “We are tracking the entire railway budget and also certain areas like IT, FDI, freights in parts,” Esha Media Research managing director R S Iyer informed indiantelevision.com.

“Tracking for railways is more as compared to last year,” Iyer said. “Apart from business houses, we are also receiving inquiries from media agencies tracking the economic content,” he added. Without mentioning the names of the clients and agencies, he revealed that there are some forums across the world that are interested to know and analyse the seriousness of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government.

“We have been tracking from morning all the government interviews across channels, and they will continue to take place till the end of prime time today, maybe until 11pm. We have also started uploading the files,” Iyer informed.

Gowda, during his budget presentation, said that his Ministry would seek cabinet approval for allowing foreign direct investment in the state-owned network, but passenger services would be excluded.

The Railway Minister proposed work stations in select trains as a pilot project this year apart from offering technology for automatic closing of doors both in main line and suburban sections.

He also said that the e-ticketing mechanism would be strengthened to allow 120,000 simultaneous bookings. The proposed overhaul of the e-ticketing system would support 7,200 tickets per minute as against the current 2,000 tickets per minute

The budget also talked about the expansion scope of online booking, including streamlining of booking on mobiles, and providing Wi-Fi in A1 and A category stations and in select trains. E-procurement would be made compulsory for procurements worth Rs 25 lakh and more said Gowda.

“Overall the budget was crisp and concise and the government played safe by not hiking the fare on the day of the budget but two weeks before it,” said a financial expert.

Stock markets have not reacted very favourably to the railway budget-the BSE closed 562 points down at 4pm today as compared to the its pre-opening at 9am. The NSE CNX Nifty index also closed 2.11 per cent lower than its opening today.

July 8, 2014
ET Now decodes the most awaited #Budget2014

MUMBAI: As The Modi Government gears up to present its first Union Budget, India’s No.1 Business News Channel ET NOW is set to launch a power packed line up of shows. ET NOW will be kicking off its special two-week long comprehensive programming from June 30, 7:30 pm. Over 10 special shows will be aired in the run up to the Big Budget that will cover not just key sectoral expectations but also the economic imperatives of this Make-or-Break exercise. Given the significance of this budget, ET NOW has aptly used the tagline ‘The Big Reset’ for its entire budget programming.

MK Anand, Managing Director and CEO, Times Television Network said, “This is the new government’s maiden budget and ET NOW will bring together leading experts across different fields in India, think-tanks, global investors and the country’s best editorial minds to decipher and analyse the Union Budget 2014. Through our shows, we aim to reach out to every Indian from industrialists to the common man by providing a detailed coverage on the run up to the Budget and the Budget Day.”

R.Sridharan, Managing Editor, ET NOW said “We have the most powerful line up of seasoned experts in the business. ET NOW will also have the most viewer-friendly screen and the fastest flashes. Our programming line-up caters every key stakeholder in the economy ranging from the CEO to the retail investor. The viewers’ overwhelming response to our Budget 2013 programming is a vindication of the tremendous value that our content delivers.”

Jatin Bhatt, CMO – TIMES NOW, ET NOW &ZoOm, said, “With all eyes on the much-anticipated Budget from the Modi Government, ET NOW has put together an extensive programming line-up that will give audiences a holistic view on the Indian economy and the impact it will have after the Union Budget 2014 is announced. For a channel like ours, Union Budget is an opportunity to present the most engaging and eclectic content that builds credibility among our existing viewers and helps generating new audiences.

ET NOW’s Budget programming will be led by India’s most respected economist- SwaminathanAiyar, who is also the channel’s Consulting Editor. Apart from SwaminathanAiyar, other prominent economists like BibekDebroy and MythiliBhusnurmath will be commenting exclusively on ET NOW.

The key shows are as follows:

Budget 2014:The Politics of Budget

Budget 2014 will be the budget presented by the new government in power. ET NOW’s Policy Editor SupriyaShrinate to quiz the biggest political commentators on the politics that will be at play for Budget 2014

Date: 30th June, 7.30 pm

Budget 2014:Cracking the Tax Code

Panel Discussion will focus on the key taxation issues in the run up to Budget 2014. Some of the biggest tax experts and lawyers will be analysing the likely tax reforms and their impact on corporate India and the taxpayer.

Date: 1st July, 7:30 pm

Budget 2014: The Global View

The show to decode the game changing reforms that could change market sentiment and attract foreign money, the expectations of the investors. Catch top Global Fund Managers and Market experts share their budget expectations exclusively on ET NOW.

Date: 2nd July, 7:30 pm

Budget 2014: The Market Makers Budget Special

Stocks Editor Nikunj Dalmia to interview big market voices on market expectations from Budget and stocks and sectors to watch out for.

Date: 3rd July, 7:30 pm

Budget 2014: Macroscope

A discussion programme anchored by MythiliBhusnurmath that gives a view of the macroeconomic imperatives faced by the government, and how the Budget is likely to address them.

Date: 4th July, 7:30 pm

Budget 2014: What Markets Want

Nikunj Dalmia to interview (3-person panel) with three of the biggest market voices analysing the market expectations from Budget 2014

Date: 7th July, 7:30 pm

Budget 2014: Rail Budget

The NarendraModi-led NDA government will announce its maiden Railway Budget in Parliament. Just as the General Budget, the Rail Bugdet is also keenly watched by experts and the country as a whole. Watch the extensive coverage of the Budget only on ET Now with eminent experts from various fields

Date: 8th July, 11:00 am

Budget 2014: Budget & India Inc

A panel discussion anchored by ET NOW’s National Editor Sandeep Gurumurthi. It will bring together the top names from corporate India to talk about how the Budget can spur growth, and give an impetus to the reform process. India Inc’s biggest CEOs will share their wishlist.

Time: 7:30 pm

Budget 2014: Eco Survey 2014

A detailed coverage of annual document of the Ministry of Finance, In the Economic Survey programming ET NOW will speak to experts about the developments in the Indian economy over the previous 12 months and will also analyse the reforms roadmap of the govt.

Date: 9th July; 11:00 am

Budget 2014: An Agenda for the FM

The biggest Macro-minds and economists come together to present an Agenda for the FM. Catch ET NOW’s Budget Think Tank: SwaminathanAiyar, BibekDebroyand Punita Kumar Sinha present an Agenda for the FM.This show will be anchored by ET NOW’s Policy Editor SupriyaShrinate.

Time: 6:30 pm

Budget Day programming

The Budget Day will have budget special programming all through the day with ET NOW’s best line of experts comprising CEO’s, Economists, Market Experts and Foreign investors.

Stay Tuned to ET NOW all this Budget season for the most credible and accurate analysis of Budget 2014.

July 8, 2014
Axe The Tax on CNN-IBN

MUMBAI: As the Narendra Modi-led NDA government prepares to set out its economic agenda for the nation, ‘Axe The Tax’, CNN-IBN’s award-winning initiative returns to highlight 5 tax clauses which should be amended in order to provide benefit to the common man. Commenced in 2007, this unique initiative has not only garnered immense popularity among viewers but has also been lauded and awarded by critics through the years.

As an integral part of ‘Budget of Hope’, the channel’s umbrella Budget programming, this one-of-its-kind initiative gives the common people a platform to voice their concerns against unfair tax clauses and takes their ideas and suggestions directly to the honourable Finance Minister for consideration. For seven years now, we have presented these suggestions to the Finance Minister – many of these have even resulted in policy level changes.

Speaking on this unique programming, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network, said “Budget 2014 is truly a ‘Budget of Hope’ for the citizens of India. With the recent hike in Railway fare and duty on sugar imports, all eyes are now set on Budget day to find out what else the Finance Ministry has in store for them. ‘Axe The Tax’ is an endeavour from CNN-IBN to empower ordinary citizens to raise five tax related issues that need to be addressed by the newly elected government, and it will certainly emerge as a masterpiece within our unparalleled Budget programming.”

July 8, 2014
Axe the tax, say DTH ops & MSOs

MUMBAI: In the run up to Budget 2014, the DTH Operators Association and the MSO Alliance have joined hands with broadcasters to embark on an aggressive campaign (in the shape of a television promo or commercials) to fight the heavy entertainment taxes levied on them by the various state governments.

The TV commercial which stars Roopal Tyagi (Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke) and Surbhi Jyoti (Qubool Hai) has been running across all channels. It makes an appeal to TV viewers to log on to http://entertainmenttaxappeal.com to pledge against rising entertainment taxes. It says that on an average a viewer spends approximately Rs 3000 on cable TV and DTH recharges annually. Almost half of this goes directly into the government’s kitty by way of taxes. Therefore, there is a need to put an end to it.

“We will present the appeals from the people to the government and hope that they take note of it,” says newly-appointed DTH Operators Association of India president RC Venkateish. He added that the advertisement was timed to coincide with the upcoming budget session.

Entertainment tax is a state subject and hence, varies from state to state. In some, it is a fixed amount while in others the state exchequer carves it out as a percentage of the bill.

“The state of Maharashtra charges Rs 45 as entrainment tax. This is ridiculously high,” says an industry professional and adds, “High entertainment tax is one of the reasons why local operators don’t declare the number of viewers they have.”

The campaign is expected to run for a month in order to build a ground swell of public opinion against the entertainment tax levies. It seems to have got the Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar’s attention already. Speaking to PTI recently he assured industry that “the government is looking into the demands of the DTH operators and that the issue is with the Ministry of Finance.”

“Industry has high hopes in the new Modi-led government. For several years, it has been appealing to the previous government to reduce the burden but to no avail. High and multiple taxes have been crippling. Hopefully, the government will find a solution to this problems,” says a media observer.

It’s now over to Mr Arun Jaitley.

Click here to watch the commercial

July 7, 2014