Govt announces the much awaited fiscal stimulus package

Indian government today announced the much awaited fiscal stimulus package for the economy.

The following are the highlights of the fiscal stimulus package unveiled by the government Sunday to contain the impact of global
financial crisis on the Indian economy:

- Plan, non-plan expenditure of Rs.300,000 crore (Rs.3,000 billion/$60 billion) in four months

- Parliament nod to be sought for Rs.20,000 crore more toward plan expenditure

- Across-the-board cut of four percent in the ad valorem central value-added tax

- Interest subvention of two percent on export credit for labour intensive sectors

- Additional allocations for export incentive schemes

- Full refund of service tax paid by exporters to foreign agents

- Incentives for loans on housing for up to Rs.500,000, and up to Rs.2 million

- Limits under the credit guarantee scheme for small enterprises doubled

- Lock-in period for loans to small firms under credit guarantee scheme reduced

- India Infrastructure Finance Co allowed to raise Rs.100 billion through tax-free bonds

- Norms for government departments to replace vehicles relaxed

- Import duty on naphtha for use by the power sector is being reduced to zero

- Export duty on iron ore fines eliminated

- Export duty on lumps for steel industry reduced to five percent