Budget 2017: Key features and minute-by-minute flashes

Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented his fourth Budget in Parliament, on February 01, 2017. In case you missed the live video streaming on ForbesIndia.com, here are the key features, as released by the government's India Budget website.



Here are the minute-by-minute flashes, powered by CNBC-TV18. (Note: The latest news flash appears at the top)

Will Look At Merger/Consolidation Of Downstream and Upstream Cos 
01-02-17, 13:59:28

No Change In Capital Gains Taxation For Listed Entities 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

FY18 Total Tax Revenue Seen At Rs12.27 Lakh Cr 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Excise Duty On Various Lengths Of Cigarettes Hiked By 2.5% &Amp; 6% 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Govt Is Committed To The National Dvpt Programs; Have Increased Allocation 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Railways To Now Work More Efficiently 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Merger Of Rail &Amp; General Budget Is A Landmark Step 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Several Measures Announced For Betterment Of The Common Man 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Budget 2017 Has Covered All The Sectors 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Excise Duty On Pan Masala Increased To 9% From 6% 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Excise Duty On Unmanufactured Tobacco Increased To 8.3% From 4.2% 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Excise Duty On Handmade Paper-Rolled Beedi Increased To Rs28 Per 1,000 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Compensation Amount For GST Will Not Be Drawn From Budget 
01-02-17, 13:57:45
Do Not See Possibility Of A Slip On Fiscal Deficit Front 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

15.3% Direct Tax Revenue Growth Tgt For Next Fiscal Is Conservative  
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Penalty On The Same Amount If Cash Transaction Made Above Rs3 Lakh 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Roadmap To Reduce Corporate Tax To 25% Stays 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Will Surrender Cigarette Cess To Compensation Kitty Post GST 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Corporate Tax To Remain At Current Level Next FY 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Propose To Raise Excise Tax On Cigarette, Cigar To Rs4,006/ 1000 Units 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Propose To Levy 2% Special Addl Duty On Mobile Phone Circuit Boards 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Propose To Levy 30% Export Tax On Aluminium Ore 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

FM Has Responded To What Start-Ups Have Asked For 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Abolishing Of FIPB Is A Logical Decision 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Excise Duty Hike Of 6% On Cigarettes Below Market Expectations Of 8-10% 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Excise Duty In Cigarettes Hiked By 6% Across All Lengths 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Total FY18 Disinvestment Target Seen At Rs72,500 Cr Vs Rs56,500 Cr (Yoy) 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Total FY18 Disinvestment Target At Rs72,500 Cr Vs Rs56,000 Cr (Yoy) 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

No mention of taxation changes for capital markets 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

NO MENTION OF EXCISE DUTY HIKE ON CIGARETTES 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Net Revenue Loss In Direct Tax Could Be Rs20,000 Cr Due To Exemptions 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

No mention of changes in long-term capital gains for stock mkts 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Greater Accountabilty on Tax Officers For Errors Of Commission and Omission 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Tax rate halved to 5% for income up to Rs2.5-5 lakh 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

Not Proposing Many Changes To Indirect Taxes Given GST Roll-Out Plan 
01-02-17, 13:57:45

GST Implementation To Bring More Taxes To States, Centre 
01-02-17, 12:54:49

50% saving in income tax on earning up to Rs5 lakh 
01-02-17, 12:54:49

Tax rate on income of Rs 2.5-5 lakh will be reduced to 5% 
01-02-17, 12:54:22

CBEC Will Continue To Strive To Implement GST 
01-02-17, 12:54:21

GST Council Has Finalised Recos On All Issues Based On Consensus 
01-02-17, 12:54:00

Tax Foregone From Reduction In Tax Rate At Rs15,500 Cr 
01-02-17, 12:53:11

Substantial Progress In Ushering In GST Regime 
01-02-17, 12:52:50

To Levy Surcharge Of 10% On Income Between Rs50 Lakh-1 Cr 
01-02-17, 12:51:59

50% saving in income tax on earning up to Rs5 lakh 
01-02-17, 12:54:49

Tax rate on income of Rs2.5-5 lakh will be reduced to 5% 
01-02-17, 12:54:22

CBEC Will Continue To Strive To Implement GST 
01-02-17, 12:54:21

GST Council Has Finalised Recos On All Issues Based On Consensus 
01-02-17, 12:54:00

Tax Foregone From Reduction In Tax Rate At Rs15,500 Cr 
01-02-17, 12:53:11

Substantial Progress In Ushering In GST Regime
 01-02-17, 12:52:50

To Levy Surcharge Of 10% On Income Between Rs 50 Lakh-1 Cr 
01-02-17, 12:51:59

Propose To Make Changes In Capital Gains Tax For Housing  
01-02-17, 12:32:15

Instead Of Build-up Area, Carpet Area Will Be Counted For Affordable Housing 
01-02-17, 12:31:36

Abolition Of FIPB Will Improve Ease Of Doing Business 
01-02-17, 12:31:36

Resolution Of Fincial Firms Amendments To Help Banking Sector 
01-02-17, 12:26:29

India Largely A Tax Non-compliant Society 
01-02-17, 12:25:59

New Rules For Pricing Medical Devices Should Benefit Common Man 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Affordable Housing Granted Infrastructure Status- Tax Sops Likely 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Re-financing Of Housing Loans To Give Impetus To Real Estate Sector 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Rural Electrification By May 1, 2018 To Provide Boost To Power Equip Cos 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

GST to be a tectonic change for India  
01-02-17, 12:24:54

India to be a electronic mfg hub Focus on MSIPS benefit continues 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Big stimulus to infra sector record allocation 3.96lakhs Crs 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Government to abolish FIPB; Expected to ease FDI 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Focus on solar continues 20k MW new capacity planned 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Big push on infra: new metro rail policy, costoal roads & airports 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Service Charges Withdrawal On E-Ticket To Boost Govt's Digitisation Endeavour 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

New rules for pricing med devices Should benefit common man 
01-02-17, 12:24:54

Attractive sops to individuals & merchants going cashless 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

7000 stations to be solar powered: Focus on solar continues 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Digital Economy continues to be high on agenda - new scheme for BHIM app 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Listing of SRs by ARCs to help broadbase NPA risk 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Resolution of Fincial Firms amendments to help banking sector 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

India to be a electronic mfg hub Focus on MSIPS benefit continues 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Big stimulus to infra sector record allocation 3.96lakhs Crs 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Government to abolish FIPB; Expected to ease FDI 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Focus on solar continues 20k MW new capacity planned 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Big push on infra: new metro rail policy, costoal roads & airports 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Service Charges Withdrawal On E-Ticket To Boost Govt's Digitisation Endeavour 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

New rules for pricing med devices Should benefit common man 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

FY18 REVENUE DEFICIT PEGGED AT 1.9% OF GDP 
01-02-17, 12:24:19

Tax-to-GDP Ratio Very Low In India  
01-02-17, 12:22:20

Peg Fiscal Deficit for 2017-18 At 3.2%    
01-02-17, 12:20:38

Shift To Digital Platforms Will Benefit The Common Man 
01-02-17, 12:19:48

FRBM Panel Recommended Fiscal Deficit At 3% For Next 3 Years 
01-02-17, 12:19:46

FRBM Review Committee Recommends Debt To GDP Ratio Of 60% By 2023 
01-02-17, 12:19:19

Defence Expenditure Excluding Pension At Rs 2.74 Lakh Cr  
01-02-17, 12:18:08

Increased Allocation For Infra Would Help Cement & Steel Sectors 
01-02-17, 12:18:07

Propose Revised Mechanism For Time-bound Listing Of PSUs 
01-02-17, 12:18:07

To Allocate More Funds To Recapitalise PSU Banks If Needed 
01-02-17, 12:18:07

Double Lending Target Of Banks To Rs 2.44 Lakh Cr  
01-02-17, 12:18:07

Addl Allocation for recap Of PSU Banks Will Be Made If Needed 
01-02-17, 12:18:07

Rs 10,000 Cr To Recapitalise PSU Banks As Per Plan In FY18 
01-02-17, 12:18:07

Will Continue Use Of ETFs For Divestment
01-02-17, 12:18:07

Total Resources To Be Transferred To States & UTs Estimated At Rs 4.11 Lk Cr 
01-02-17, 12:17:49

Allocation Of Capital Expenditure Up 25% YoY 
01-02-17, 12:17:21

Infra status to affordable housing to ease funding and reduce borrowing cost
01-02-17, 12:16:48

Focus on transformative shift in country governance at the core of policy
01-02-17, 12:16:48

Agriculture sector expected to grow by 4.1% in current fiscal year
01-02-17, 12:16:48

Increased allocation for infra would help core sector ie cement, steel, etc
01-02-17, 12:16:48

Thrust On Railways To Give Impetus To Services In EPC Sector
01-02-17, 12:16:48

Considering New Law To Confiscate Assets Of Economic Offenders
01-02-17, 12:16:27

Rural Electrification By May 1, 2018 To Provide Boost To Power Equip Cos
01-02-17, 12:15:31

To Rationalise Number Of Tribunals
01-02-17, 12:14:56

Web-based Pension Distribution System For Defence To Be Established
01-02-17, 12:14:29

Re-financing Of Housing Loans To Give Impetus To Real Estate Sector
01-02-17, 12:14:27

Rural gets electrified by 1 May 2018 provide boost to power equipment cos
01-02-17, 12:14:00


Industry expects announcements on clear roadmap on GST related timelines
01-02-17, 12:14:00

GST to be a tectonic change for India
01-02-17, 12:14:00

New Rules For Pricing Medical Devices Should Benefit Common Man
01-02-17, 12:14:00

Affordable Housing Granted Infrastructure Status- Tax Sops Likely
01-02-17, 12:13:50

To Amend Negotiable Instruments Act To Protect Payees Of Dishonoured Cheques
01-02-17, 12:13:16

Propose To Create A Payment Regulatory Board At RBI
01-02-17, 12:12:09

Panel On Digital Payment Recommended Reform In Digital Pay Systems
01-02-17, 12:11:54

To Take Steps To Promote Digital Payments At Petrol Pumps, Hospitals
01-02-17, 12:11:18

Propose Aim Of `2.44 Lakh Cr Under Mudra Scheme
01-02-17, 12:10:46

To Take Up Second Phase Of Solar Power Dvpt For Addl 20,000 MW
01-02-17, 11:59:45

To Set-up New Crude Oil Reserves
01-02-17, 11:59:07

Bharat Net Allocation At Rs10,000 Cr
01-02-17, 11:58:21

Transport Sector Allocated Rs2.41 Lakh Cr
01-02-17, 11:58:03

Infra Status For Affordable Hsg Projs Will Be +ve For Real Estate Sector
01-02-17, 11:58:03

Outcome-based Monetary Measures To SC, ST By NITI Aayog
01-02-17, 11:57:57

Allocation To Scheduled Castes Upped To Rs52,393 Cr
01-02-17, 11:57:57

Thrust On Railways To Give Impetus To Services In EPC Sector
01-02-17, 11:57:11

National Highway Allocation At Rs64,000 Cr
01-02-17, 11:56:23

New Metro Rail Policy To Be Announced; Will Open Up New Job Possibilities
01-02-17, 11:56:09

Service Charges On e-tickets Booked Via IRCTC To Be Withdrawn
01-02-17, 11:55:39

Railways To Implement End-to-end Solutions For Some Commodities
01-02-17, 11:55:08

To Commission 3,500 Km Of Railway Tracks In 2018
01-02-17, 11:54:17

Atleast 25 Stations Re-development Contracts Will Be Awarded In 2017-18
01-02-17, 11:53:25

New Rules For Pricing Medical Devices Should Benefit Common Man
01-02-17, 11:52:13

Affordable Housing To Be Given Infra Status
01-02-17, 11:52:04

Propose To Invest Rs1.31 Lakh Cr In Railways In 2017-18
01-02-17, 11:51:49

Re-financing of housing loans to give impetus to Real Estate sector
01-02-17, 11:51:25

Rural gets electrified by 1 May 2018 provide boost to power equipment cos
01-02-17, 11:51:25

Industry expects announcements on clear roadmap on GST related timelines
01-02-17, 11:51:25

GST to be a tectonic change for India   01-02-17, 11:51:25

Aadhaar-based Smart Cards To Be Introduced For Senior Citizens
01-02-17, 11:51:06

Infra status to affordable housing to ease funding and reduce borrowing cost
01-02-17, 11:51:02

Impetus to Skill India will provide opportunities to corp for CSR spend
01-02-17, 11:51:02

Agriculture sector expected to grow by 4.1% in current fiscal year
01-02-17, 11:51:02

Increased allocation for infra would help core sector ie cement, steel, etc
01-02-17, 11:51:02

Govt Committed To Take Structural Reform In Medical Education, Practice
01-02-17, 11:49:35

Outcome-based Monetary Measures To SC, ST By NITI Aayog
01-02-17, 11:49:32

Propose To Amend Drug Rules To Ensure Drugs Available At Reasonable Prices
01-02-17, 11:49:29

Will Take Legislative Reforms To Simplify Labour Laws In India
01-02-17, 11:49:22

Allocation To Scheduled Castes Upped To Rs52,393 Cr
01-02-17, 11:49:12

1.5 Lakh Health Sub-centres To Be Transformed To Health Wellness Centres
01-02-17, 11:48:43

Bank Lending Rates For Housing Loans Coming Down In Wake Of Demonetisation
01-02-17, 11:48:43
Have Hiked Allocation For Women Skill Development To Rs1.84 Lakh Cr In FY18
01-02-17, 11:48:43

Mahila Shakti Kendra Will Be Set Up At Village Level; Allocation Rs500 Cr
01-02-17, 11:48:43

Affordable Housing To Be Given Infra Status
01-02-17, 11:45:11

Have Hiked Allocation For Women Skill Development To Rs1.84 Lakh Cr In FY18
01-02-17, 11:45:00

Will Set Up 100 India-International Skill Centres
01-02-17, 11:44:49

5 Special Tourism Zones To Be Set Up In Partnership With States
01-02-17, 11:44:39

Mahila Shakti Kendra Will Be Set Up At Village Level; Allocation Rs500 Cr
01-02-17, 11:44:03

Propose To Set Up Natl Testing Agency For Entrance Exam For Higher Edu
01-02-17, 11:43:54

Will Undertake Reforms In UGC To Improve Higher Education
01-02-17, 11:43:54

Innovation Fund For Secondary Education To Be Created
01-02-17, 11:43:54

Will Achieve 100% Rural Electrification By May 1, 2018
01-02-17, 11:43:54

Rs4,800 Cr Allocated Under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
01-02-17, 11:43:54

Increased Allocation To Rs23,000 Cr For PM Awas Yojana
01-02-17, 11:43:54

Propose To Finish 1 Cr Houses By 2019 For Those Living In Kachcha Houses
01-02-17, 11:43:54

Allocation for Rural, Agri & Allied Ind At Rs1.87 Lakh Cr, Up 24% YoY
01-02-17, 11:39:24

Modern Law On Contract Farming To Be Prepared
01-02-17, 11:39:07

National Agri Markets To Be Expanded To 585 Markets
01-02-17, 11:39:00

Will Set Up Dairy Processing Fund
01-02-17, 11:38:54

Will Achieve 100% Rural Electrification By May 1, 2018
01-02-17, 11:38:33

Rs 4,800 Cr Allocated Under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
01-02-17, 11:38:23

Long-term Irrigation Fund Set Up In NABARD, Additional Corpus Rs 20,000 Cr
01-02-17, 11:37:45

Target For Agri Credit Fixed At Rs10 Lakh Cr This Year
01-02-17, 11:37:38

Agri Sector Expected To Grow At 4.1% In The Current Fiscal
01-02-17, 11:37:36

Increased Allocation To Rs23,000 Cr For PM Awas Yojana
01-02-17, 11:37:34

Propose To Integrate Farmers To The Agro-processing Units
01-02-17, 11:37:33

Will Bring 1 Cr Households Out Of Poverty By 2019
01-02-17, 11:37:06

Propose To Finish 1 Cr Houses By 2019 For Those Living In Kachcha Houses
01-02-17, 11:36:49

Dairy Processing Fund Initial Corpus At Rs 2,000 Cr
01-02-17, 11:36:23

Pace Of Construction Of Roads Has Increased To Rs133 Km/Day In 2017
01-02-17, 11:35:45

Issuance Of Soil Health Cards Has Gathered Momentum
01-02-17, 11:35:39

Fasal Bima Yojana Coverage Will Be Increased To 40%
01-02-17, 11:35:39

Farmers Will Benefit From 60-day Interest Waiver Announced By PM 
01-02-17, 11:35:39

To Up Crop Insurance Coverage To 50% In FY19
01-02-17, 11:35:25

Will Support NABARD To Digitise 63,000 Primary Agri Co-ops
01-02-17, 11:35:21

Allocation For MNREGA Has Risen Fm Rs38500 Cr In FY17 To Rs48000 Cr In FY18
01-02-17, 11:35:11

Dedicated Micro Irrigation Fund, Initial Corpus Of Rs 5000 Cr
01-02-17, 11:32:59

Dairy Processing Infra Fund Will Be Created W/Corpus Of `8,000 Cr In 3 Yrs
01-02-17, 11:31:53

Long-term Irrigation Fund Set Up In NABARD, Additional Corpus `20,000 Cr 
01-02-17, 11:32:41

Will Bring 1 Cr Households Out Of Poverty By 2019 
01-02-17, 11:32:14

Dairy Processing Infra Fund Will Be Created W/Corpus Of `8,000 Cr In 3 Yrs 
01-02-17, 11:31:53

National Agri Markets To Be Expanded To 585 Markets 
01-02-17, 11:31:46

Modern Law On Contract Farming To Be Prepared 
01-02-17, 11:31:16

Propose To Integrate Farmers To The Agro-processing Units 
01-02-17, 11:31:02

Market Reforms To Enable Farmers To Sell Produce At Better Prices 
01-02-17, 11:31:00

Will Take Steps To Make Sure Farmers Get Better Prices For Harvest 
01-02-17, 11:30:55

Will Support NABARD To Digitise 63,000 Primary Agri Co-ops 
01-02-17, 11:30:43

To Up Crop Insurance Coverage To 50% In FY19 
01-02-17, 11:29:56

Issuance Of Soil Health Cards Has Gathered Momentum 
01-02-17, 11:29:03

Fasal Bima Yojana Coverage Will Be Increased To 40% 
01-02-17, 11:28:16

Agri Sector Expected To Grow At 4.1% In The Current Fiscal 
01-02-17, 11:27:26

Farmers Will Benefit From 60-day Interest Waiver Announced By PM 
01-02-17, 11:27:22

Target For Agri Credit Fixed At `10 Lakh Cr This Year 
01-02-17, 11:27:04

Surplus Liquidity In Banking System Will Lower Borrowing Cost 
01-02-17, 11:26:58

Higher Growth Forecast Based On Policies, Commitment To Eco Reforms 
01-02-17, 11:26:58

IMF Pegs India Growth At 7.2% In 2017, 7.7% In 2018 
01-02-17, 11:26:58

Pace Of Remonetisation Has Picked Up 
01-02-17, 11:26:58

Impact Of Demonetisation Not Expected To Spill Over To Next Year 
01-02-17, 11:26:58

Drop In Eco Activity During Remonetisation Transient 
01-02-17, 11:26:58

Propose To Present Budget Under 10 District Themes 
01-02-17, 11:25:11

Agenda Is To Transform, Energise & Clean India 
01-02-17, 11:25:07

Have Done Away With Planned & Non-planned Allocation 
01-02-17, 11:24:50

Railways Will Be The Centre Stage Of Government's Fiscal Policies 
01-02-17, 11:24:32

Surplus Liquidity In Banking System Will Lower Borrowing Cost 
01-02-17, 11:24:24

Merger Of Rail & General Budget Is A Historic Step 
01-02-17, 11:24:02

Budget Has Been Advanced To Enable Parliament To Avoid Vote On Account 
01-02-17, 11:23:46

Overall Approach In Budget Has Been To Spend More In Rural Areas 
01-02-17, 11:23:44

Overall Approach In Budget Has Been To Spend More On Infrastructure 
01-02-17, 11:23:40

Jan Total Sales Up 7% At 14,872 Units (YoY) 
01-02-17, 11:23:38

Overall Approach Has Been To Spend More With Fiscal Prudence 
01-02-17, 11:23:36

Higher Growth Forecast Based On Policies, Commitment To Eco Reforms 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

IMF Pegs India Growth At 7.2% In 2017, 7.7% In 2018 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Pace Of Remonetisation Has Picked Up 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Impact Of Demonetisation Not Expected To Spill Over To Next Year 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

We Are At An Imprtant Point Of Growth & Development 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Drop In Eco Activity During Remonetisation Transient 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Demonetisation Seeks To Make Our GDP Cleaner, Bigger  
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Demonetisation A Bold & Decisive Measure 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Passing Of Constl Amendment Of GST, Demonetisation Tectonic Policy Shifts 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

India Seen As An Engine Of Global Growth  
01-02-17, 11:23:11

India Has Considerably Improved Its Policies w.r.t Trade & Commerce 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Forex Reserves Offer A Comfortable Cover For 12 Months Of Imports 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Current A/c Deficit Declined To 0.3% Of GDP In H1FY17 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

CPI Is Down From 6% In July To 3.4% In December, 2016 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

India A Bright Spot In Global Eco Landscape 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Monetary Policy Stance By US Fed A Concern For Emerging Economies 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

IMF Estimates World GDP Will Grow By 3.4% In 2017 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Focus Will Be On Energising Youth & Creating Jobs 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

World Economy Faces A Lot Of Uncertainty 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Will Continue To Uplift Vulnerable Sections Of The Society 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Inflation Has Been Controlled; Have Launched Massive War On Black Money 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

Mission To Bring Transformatory Shift In Governance During Last 2.5 Years 
01-02-17, 11:23:11

We Are At An Important Point Of Growth & Development
01-02-17, 11:19:38

Focus Will Be On Energising Youth & Creating Jobs 

01-02-17, 11:19:17

Drop In Eco Activity During Remonetisation Transient 

01-02-17, 11:18:26

Monetary Policy Stance For US Fed A Concern For Emerging Economies