BUDGET 1999-2000
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BUDGET 98-99
BUDGET 97-98
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'Simplification of procedures and rationalisation -- that is the biggest feature of the Budget'

Sunil Mittal

I think the finance minister's statement that he is making one exception to keep duties out of the normal bounds is encouraging.

Simplification of procedures and rationalisation -- that is the biggest feature of the Budget. These are small things, but make a big difference to the economy as it releases a lot of energy.

About the downsizing of government: Well, the repeal of four secretary level posts is a beginning, and should be viewed that way. The government must look at this in a big way rather than tinkering.

On telecom, I feel the government need not wait till 2004 for the WTO regime. Our efforts at opening up should start early, in 2001 itself.

Telecom has been put on par with other infrastructure projects. This has been the demand of industry and we are happy about that. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would award 6 to Mr Sinha. The mood is not very buoyant out there.

India is fully committed to reforms. I hope we can pick up some speed. Terminals of stock exchanges abroad, I expect, will generate more than a 10 per cent hike in NRI investments in India.

Sunil Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Telecom

Budget 1999-2000

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