Highlights of the maharashtra budget for 2013-14

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BUDGET

1. Surveillance of transactions by Sales Tax Department to go up.

2. Tax exemption on essential commodities, Solapuri chadars and towels, wet dates to continue up to 31stMarch, 2014.

3. Tax exemption on currants and raisins to continue up to 31st March, 2014.

4. Concessional rate on tea to continue up to 31st March, 2014.

5. VAT exemption on Braille watches and vehicles for handicapped.

6. Reduction in rate of tax of AICD heart implant from 12.5 per cent to 5 per cent.

7. Reduction in rate of tax on certain excavators from 12.5 per cent to 5 per cent.

8. Rice bran, hand pumps, water meter exempt from tax.

9. Increase in tax rate of gold, silver and their jewellery from 1 per cent to 1.10 per cent and sugar cane purchase tax from 3 percent to 5 percent to raise fund for drought relief for one year.

10. Increase in tax on biri, cigarette and tobacco.

11. Textile for industrial use to be taxed at 5 percent.

12. Tax on paver blocks to be increased from 5 percent to 12.5 percent.

13. Financial Institutions liable to pay stamp duty on mortgage deeds.

14. Increase in excise duty on country liquor, I.M.F.L. and strong beer.

15. Increase in tax on Lottery