Price changes on key items announced; Mobile phones to be cheaper?
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced significant changes in customs duties in the Budget 2024, leading to price reductions for several key items. The budget includes major reductions in customs duty on cancer medicines and mobile phones, which will bring down their prices in the retail market. Additionally, imported gold, silver, leather goods, and seafood will also become cheaper.
"The government will exempt three more cancer treatment drugs from Customs duty. I will also reduce basic customs duty on mobile phones, chargers, and other mobile parts," Ms. Sitharaman said while presenting the budget in Parliament.
In a bid to boost retail demand and curtail smuggling, Ms. Sitharaman slashed import duties on gold and silver to 6%. This move is expected to stimulate retail demand and help reduce smuggling in India, the world's second-biggest bullion consumer. Higher demand for gold from India could support global prices, which hit a record high earlier this year. However, this might increase India's trade deficit and weigh on the ailing rupee.
On the other hand, the government will raise customs duty on ammonium nitrate by 10% and on non-biodegradable plastics by 25%.
This is the first budget of the Modi 3.0 government and is expected to have a significant impact on India's economic landscape, touching upon various sectors from infrastructure development to social welfare programs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated that the Finance Minister would present a strong budget, ensuring that the government's guarantees reach the common man. On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UP: Govt hospital staff booked for sexually assaulting woman in pretext of ultrasound test
Gorakhpur (PTI): A hospital employee was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the pretext of an ultrasound test here in the district women's hospital, police said on Saturday.
According to the complaint, the woman, a resident of the Gulriha area, visited the district women's hospital on Thursday morning for an ultrasound test.
She was directed to a room, where Abhimanyu Gupta was conducting ultrasounds. When her turn came, the accused allegedly stared at her and told her to remove all her clothes, claiming it was necessary for the test and that a massage would also be required, she said.
ALSO READ: UP: Girl kidnapped, raped multiple times over 25 days; accused held
The woman alleged that once she complied, the accused began making obscene advances and tried to force himself on her. When she screamed, he allegedly gagged her, abused her and threatened to kill her before pushing her out of the room.
She said her complaints within the hospital went unheard, forcing her to approach the police.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the hospital administration constituted a three-member inquiry committee, officials said.
Senior consultant (paediatrics) Dr Jay Kumar said, "The woman has levelled serious allegations against a staff member. Senior officials have been informed, and a departmental inquiry is underway. Strict action will be taken if the charges are proved."
Kotwali Station House Officer Chatrapal Singh said a case has been registered, and efforts are on to nab the accused.
