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'As a software man, I'll give the Budget 10/10'

Ashok Soota

In summary, it is a great Budget.

From the software industry point of view, I would rate the Budget as 10 on 10 because all the points which have been asked for by the National Association of Software and Services Companies and the broader points by Confederation of Indian Industry have come through.

If I were to raise a few areas of concern, the first is the focus on computerisation in the government when it should really have on e-governance.

Looking at computerisation without a solution focus can lead to lot of hardware boxes lying around unutilised as happened when V P Singh talked about computerisation of banks.

Another concern is that once again the needs of the hardware manufacturing industry have been neglected. This industry will face zero import duty by 2003. The excise duty and other inputs for this cannot be treated at the same level as other products. Presently, there is a negative incentive for manufacturers.

Ashok Soota is chairman and executive director, Mindtree Consulting

Budget 2001

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