Health and Nutrition Gets Major Boost in the Budget 2012-13; Six Life Saving Drugs Exempted from Excise Duty.

Concessions and Exemptions Extended to Energy Saving Devices, Plants and Equipments Required for Solar Thermal Projects.

Excise Duty on ‘Demerit’ Goods Hiked as a Measure for Additional Resource Mobilisation.

Union Budget Focuses on Rationalisation Measures in Indirect Taxes.

Budget Aims at Creating Enabling Atmosphere for All Sections Baggage Allowance Increased in the Budget.

One Page Common Return for Central Excise and Service Tax Proposed.

Duty on Large Cars Enhanced from 22 Per Cent to 24 Per Cent.

Excise duty changes: exemptions for lifesaving drugs and energy-saving equipment, demerit goods duty raised and a common return proposed. The Budget exempts six specified lifesaving drugs from excise duty and grants concessions for energy saving devices and plant and equipment for solar thermal projects; it raises excise duty on identified demerit goods for additional resource mobilisation, proposes rationalisation of indirect taxes, and introduces a one page common return for central excise and service tax to simplify compliance.