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New Delhi, Nov 21 () Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday hinted that public sector firms such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) may not be allowed to bid for buying government stake in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), for which a buyer may have to shell out as much as Rs 90,000 crore.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had on Wednesday decided to sell the government's entire stake in the country's second-largest state refiner BPCL and India's largest shipping company Shipping Corporation of India (SCI). It also approved privatisation of Container Corporation of India while also giving nod to paring stake below 51 per cent in select public sector undertakings but without losing control.
 "Since 2014, we have a clear vision that the government has no business to be in business," Pradhan told reporters here. "We have examples of 2-3 sectors such as telecom and aviation where ushering in private participation has led to customers benefiting from price cuts, efficiency, and better service. And yesterday (on Wednesday), several reformist decisions were taken."
 BPCL will give buyers ready access to 14 per cent of India's oil refining capacity and about one-fourth of the fuel marketing infrastructure in the world's fastest-growing energy market.
 It, however, will be sold after carving out Numaligarh Refinery from its portfolio and given to a pubic sector unit.
 "Numaligarh refinery was set up as per Assam Accord and it will remain a public sector unit. Assam Chief Minister had requested Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to retain public sector character of Numaligarh Refinery and that has been accepted," he said.
 Pradhan, however, did not say if IOC or Oil India Ltd, which already has a stake in the refinery and also supplies crude oil to it, will take over the unit.
 "The details have to be worked out," he said. "Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) has stated that the privatisation of BPCL will happen this fiscal and we hope to adhere to the timeline."
 Asked if public sector units will be allowed to bid for the government's 53.29 per cent stake, he said: "Nitty gritty and details of the disinvestment process will have to be worked out but when I say the government has no business to be in business, it is indicative of possible future course of action."
 At the current trading price of BPCL, the government's 53.29 per cent stake is valued at a shade less than Rs 62,000 crore. On top of this, the acquirer will have to make an open offer to buy an additional 26 per cent stake from minority shareholders for about Rs 30,000 crore.
 Last year, the government had sold its entire stake in Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) to state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) for Rs 36,915 crore.
 Pradhan said the privatisation of BPCL was following the policy of ushering in greater competition in sectors that can sustain on their own.
 Greater private participation, like in the telecom and aviation sector, will bring about efficiencies and better service to consumers, he said.
 The CCEA had on Wednesday also approved the sale of an entire 63.75 per cent government holding in SCI and 30.8 per cent out of the government's 54.80 per cent stake in Container Corp of India (Concor).
 Besides, the government will sell its entire holding in THDC India Ltd (THDCIL) and North Eastern Electric Power Corp Ltd (NEEPCO) to state-owned power generator NTPC Ltd, the finance minister has said.
 The government holds 74.23 per cent in THDCIL and 100 per cent NEEPCO.
 Parallelly, the Cabinet had also approved reducing government stake in select PSUs such as IOC to below 51 per cent while continuing to retain management control.
 The management control will continue to be retained with the government after considering equity held by other state-owned companies in the divested firm.
 The government, currently, holds 51.5 per cent in IOC and another 25.9 per cent through state-owned Life Insurance Corp of India (LIC), and explorers ONGC and Oil India Ltd (OIL), and the government can potentially sell 26.4 per cent for about Rs 33,000 crore.
 A similar formula can also apply to ONGC and gas utility GAIL India Ltd.
 The stake sales are critical for the government to meet its disinvestment target of Rs 1.05 lakh crore set for the current financial year.
 At current prices, the government's 30.8 per cent stake in Concor is worth about Rs 10,800 crore, while stake sale in SCI will fetch just over Rs 2,000 crore.
 BPCL operates four refineries in Mumbai, Kochi (Kerala), Bina (Madhya Pradesh) and Numaligarh (Assam) with a combined capacity of 38.3 million tonnes per annum, which is 15 per cent of India's total refining capacity of 249.4 million tonnes. After removing three million tonnes capacity of the Numaligarh refinery, the new buyer will get 35.3 million tonnes of refining capacity.
 It also owns 15,177 petrol pumps and 6,011 LPG distributor agencies in the country. Besides, it has 51 LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) bottling plants. The company distributes 21 per cent of petroleum products consumed in the country by volume as of March this year and has more than a fifth of the 250 aviation fuel stations in the country.
 The government is keen to get international energy majors such as Saudi Aramco, Total SA of France and ExxonMobil to operate in the downstream fuel marketing business so as to bring in greater competition.
 Currently, 95 per cent of retail petrol and diesel sales and near 100 per cent of cooking gas (LPG) and kerosene sales are controlled by the public sector units.
 As on March 31, BPCL reported cash and cash equivalents of around Rs 5,300 crore, against Rs 10,900 crore of debt maturing over the next 15 months. ANZ HRS

IOC, other PSUs not to bid for BPCL, hints Pradhan

Mumbai, Dec 16 () The government's divestment target of Rs 1.05 lakh crore for 2019-20 is important but stake sale deals should not be closed merely based on the deadline, a top official said on Monday.
 There is need to see how the process can move fast, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey pointed out. 
 According to DIPAM, the government has garnered Rs 17,364.26 crore through disinvestment transactions in the current fiscal so far against the full fiscal target of Rs 1.05 lakh crore.
 Disinvestment proceeds will be critical for the government to stick to its target of keeping fiscal deficit at 3.3 per cent of the GDP in the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2020. Meeting the divestment target has become more critical after the government rolled out Rs 1.45 lakh crore stimulus by way of a cut in corporate tax.
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced plans of Rs 1,05,000 crore of disinvestment receipts for 2019-20 and said that the government will undertake strategic sale of PSUs and also continue to do consolidation of PSUs in the non-financial space.
 "The disinvestment target is important but we should not be looking at closing the deals merely based on the March 31, 2020 deadline. We need to see how the process can move fast," he said during a panel discussion at the India Economic Conclave 2019. 
 In October, the Union Cabinet approved a new policy under which the DIPAM under the Ministry of Finance has been made the nodal department for the strategic stake sale.
 "There are issues of due diligence by investors and market conditions. Also, market value has to be maximised for the public assets. All these considerations are important," Pandey said.
 He further said that stake sale is not dependent on a particular way of disinvestment but the government has a bouquet of methods for this.
 "We can do it through minority stake sale or through OFS, we also have got ETFs or even listing of enterprises. So all of these things have to be considered for achieving the target. So there is a strategic disinvestment target and of course we want to do it fast but at the same time we have to see how we can maximise it," Pandey added. 
 According to reports, the government has agreed for sale of its entire 53.29 per cent stake in Bharat Petroleum Corp and its 63.75 per cent stake in Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), 30 per cent in Concor, 100 per cent NEEPCO and 75 per cent in THDC. PSK AA SHW MR
MR

Need to see how divestment process can move fast, says offficial

New Delhi, Feb 14 () The government expects to complete sale of national carrier Air India in the first half of the next fiscal, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Friday. During an interaction with financial sector experts to discuss the Union Budget, Pandey also said disinvestment strategy has shifted from minority stake sale in public sector units to strategic sale, and a lot of privatisation would happen in the next fiscal. In November, he said the government decided on big ticket disinvestments while referring to sale of stakes in BPCL, CONCOR, and Shipping Corporation of India. "I think our movement has been very swift. Even the Expression of Interest (EoI) for Air India is in the public domain... We intend to complete these transactions in the first half of financial year 2020-21," he said. The next financial year starts from April 1. Last month, the government issued a preliminary information memorandum for 100 per cent stake sale in Air India. The airline's 100 per cent shareholding in profit-making budget carrier Air India Express as well as 50 per cent shareholding in equal joint venture Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) would also be sold. The deadline for submitting the EoI is March 17. This is at least the third time that the government is attempting disinvestment of Air India, which has been in the red since merger with Air India Express in 2007. The first attempt for stake sale, when Air India and Indian Airlines were separate entities, was done in 2001-2002 period when the NDA government was in power. In 2018, the government proposed to offload 76 per cent stake as well as transfer the management control but there were no bidders. Air India has more than Rs 60,000 crore debt. About proposed stake sale in LIC, Pandey said it was a "big thing" and lot of value would be unlocked. According to him, disinvesment in the public sector insurance company would be done, keeping in mind the interest of all stakeholders. Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) Secretary Atanu Chakraborty, who was also present at the session chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, sought suggestions from the industry on direct listing of Indian companies on foreign bourses. He said the government was working on a scheme towards it as many companies want to get listed both in India and abroad at the same time. The discussions are at an advanced stage, he added. Currently, Indian companies can list their shares through depository receipts abroad, while foreign companies need to go through the Indian Depository Receipt route for listing of equities. A high-level panel has already recommended to markets regulator Sebi to allow direct listing of Indian companies on overseas bourses and of foreign firms on Indian exchanges. NKD CS RAM

Air India sale expected in first half of next fiscal: DIPAM Sec Pandey

New Delhi, Dec 4 () State-run trading firm MMTC has placed another onion import order of 4,000 tonnes from Turkey and the shipments are expected to reach by mid-January, the government said on Wednesday.
 This is in addition to 17,090 tonnes of onions already contracted, which includes 6,090 tonnes from Egypt and 11,000 tonnes from Turkey, it said in a statement.
 MMTC is importing onions on the behalf of the government, which is trying to check prices of the key bulb by improving domestic supplies through various modes, including imports.
Onion prices remain high in the range of Rs 75-100/kg across major cities of the country.
According to the statement, the Department of Consumer Affairs has also directed MMTC to issue three more tenders for import of onions.
 Out of three tenders, two are the country-specific, namely Turkey and the European Union, and one is a global tender. Each of these tenders are for 5,000 tonnes, it said.
 To facilitate early imports, the Consumer Affairs Ministry said certain norms have been relaxed in the new tenders issued.
 These include the size of onions to be imported have been expanded to 40mm-80mm, consortium bidding has been allowed, exporters can offer shipment in multiple lots.
 Additionally, relaxed fumigation conditions that were earlier provided till November 30, have been extended till December 31. This is expected to further increase participation, competition and reduce price, it said.
 Besides, a coordination committee has also been formed to ensure that the entire process of import and distribution is streamlined so as to ensure timely arrivals and movement of onions and sale by states, the ministry said.
 The committee is holding meetings on a daily basis with participation from officials of MMTC, NAFED, CONCOR and associated ministries.
 The Shipping Ministry has assured that it will provide priority landing/docking for the ships containing imported onions and will also be appointing a nodal officer at Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai for ensuring speedy arrivals and onward distribution/dispatch, the statement added.
 The Government has also planned procurement of domestically produced onions from major onion producing states to be distributed across all consuming states as per the demand placed by them.
 On December 3, the Centre further reduced the stock holding limit for retailers and wholesalers to 5 tonnes and 25 tonnes, respectively. However, these stock limits were exempted on imported onions.
 The Cabinet has approved import of 1.2 lakh tonnes of onions to improve the domestic supply and control prices. The government has already banned exports and imposed stock holding limits to check price rise.
 On November 19, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had said onion production in kharif and late-kharif seasons of 2019-20 is estimated to fall 26 per cent to 5.2 million tonne. LUX LUX MR
MR

MMTC further contracts 4,000 tons of onions from Turkey: Centre

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Pizza Hut</div></div></div>Pizza Hut has an unlikely new inspiration.The chain is rolling out new digital tools that are inspired by tech startups, like Uber.The pizza chain is officially launching "Visible Promise Time," which allows customers to see what time their pizzas will be prepared, ready, and delivered before they place their order, the company has announced in a release.On top of that, the chain is testing a service that allows customers to track the exact location of their pizza by tracking the delivery driver's GPS location. "I think what we're going though is … the 'Uber-ization' of our customer experience," Pizza Hut's Chief Digital Officer, Baron Concors, told Business Insider. "A lot of people think Uber really transformed the transportation industry, but I think they've really transformed commerce."Imagining Pizza Hut through the lens of Uber, Visible Promise Time is similar to Google Maps estimated time, allowing customers to plan their schedule around their pizza pick-up or delivery before even placing their order. The GPS tracker is even more analogous, with visuals that seem instantly familiar to any Uber user.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://instagram.com/p/oWHRjDEDpi/">@PizzaHut on Instagram</a></div></div></div>According to the company, this will be the first time a pizza chain has introduced an estimated timeline prior for customers to placing the order. Pizza Hut has tested Visible Promise Time for the last several months, with the company slowly rolling out the service starting in late January. Customers have responded enthusiastically to the increased transparency, says Concors. The pizza chain has recently doubled down making purchasing and delivering pizza easier, with Yum Brands CEO Greg Creed saying in the company's most recent earnings call last week that the chain's new motto is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/taco-bell-says-better-food-isnt-worth-it-2016-4">"easy beats better."</a> The concept came to Pizza Hut management last year when Pizza Hut executives realized the chain had focused too much on making pizza that customers enjoyed, instead of cutting delivery time, according to <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/99d47250ef45434186c37a0c974c9632/yum-ceo-says-pizza-hut-needs-be-more-uber">the Associated Press.</a>"We're always brainstorming on innovation and ideas to make the experience easier," said Concors. "I think part of 'easy' is how we bring that authenticity and transparency to our consumers."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Domino'sDomino's has been implementing technology.</div></div></div>For pizza chains, making things easy for customers has become closely tied with new technology, like Visible Promise Time. Pizza Hut reports that 46% of delivery and carry-out orders at the chain come through digital channels; competitors Papa John's and Domino's reports more than half of sales are from digital. With such a thriving digital business, much of the recent innovation in the pizza industry has been tech-focused. Domino's has <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pizza-is-the-new-porn-2016-3">tested options such as a</a> "no touch" ordering app, as well as a rolling delivery robot in Australia. Technology is crucial to getting ahead in the pizza industry, with most executives (Concors included) convinced that there is no limit to how much digital sales can grow in the near future. To keep up with the increasingly tech-centric competition, Concors says that Pizza Hut is focusing on personalization and ease of ordering. So far, the strategy of simplicity has been working for the chain. Pizza Hut reported that United States same-stores sales grew 5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, due to in part, according to Concors, to increased customer loyalty thanks to new tech innovation. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blind-pizza-taste-test-major-chains-pizza-hut-dominos-papa-johns-2016-2">We did a blind taste test of Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Papa John's pizza - here's the verdict</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="5tN2JvMDE6eQgYeyETzdfeY7tLS-xlWX" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Pizza Hut wants to be like Uber

New Delhi, Dec 19 () The benchmark Nifty may touch 13,400 levels and Sensex 45,500 next year, and sectors like healthcare, agro chemicals, oil and gas are likely to do well, Kotak Securities said on Thursday.
"Market mood is more positive than what is reflected in the real economy mainly due to jump in earnings led by reduction in corporate tax rate and strong FPI flows supported by steady local SIP flows," Rusmik Oza, Senior Vice President and Head of Fundamental Research-PCG, Kotak Securities said at a press meet here.
Nifty-50 is trading closer to its peak valuations and is expected to touch 13,400 by end of December 2020. For BSE Sensex the target would work to 45,500 by next year, the Mumbai-based firm added.
At present, the 30-share BSE Sensex is trading at 41,673.92 and broader NSE Nifty at 12,259.70.
On the sectors likely to do well in 2020, Oza named agro chemicals, corporate banks, large NBFCs and HFCs, mid cap cement companies, construction, healthcare, oil and gas and mid cap pharma firms.
Kotak Securities also highlighted the key risks to monitor the markets. Among domestic risks, it said if Yuan weakens with any negative outcome of trade war then INR/USD will fall.
The brokerage house further added that the market is running ahead of the economy and sustained slowdown can pull down the market.
Other domestic risks are monthly GST collection, which has remained stagnant in FY20 and earnings disappointment.
On global risks, it also discussed issues like final outcome of US-China trade war, global manufacturing slowdown and added that reversal of policy stance by US Fed/ECB could hurt flows into emerging markets.
"The disconnect between equity markets and economy could stay for some time as high-frequency indicators are not showing any signs of improvement whereas markets could remain at elevated levels on hopes of certain sops likely to come in the forthcoming Union Budget," it added.
Privatisation could be a big theme in the calendar year 2020. "Strategic sale of BPCL, Concor and Shipping Corporation can set the ball rolling for other big-ticket divestments," he added.
Better farm income coupled with the series of measures taken by the government and RBI in this calendar year could help improve demand conditions in 2020.
On the broader market it said, for mid and small caps to outperform the large caps, we need a broad recovery in the economy with improved credit offtake, better print of IIP and GDP growth.
"Hopefully, if the forthcoming Union Budget provides some incentives to taxpayers and investors then we could see a broader rally in the market which could then revive interest in the mid and small-cap space," Oza added.
Talking about broking industry, Ashish Nanda, Executive VP and Business Head - PCG, Commodities and Currency, Kotak Securities said, "Consolidation in the broking industry is likely to get expedited as investor confidence is shaken"
"The Karvy incident is unfortunate and isolated. Investors are likely to move to well-known brands having strong compliance and control framework. After all financial services are all about trust. Investors must do business with trusted brands with strong governance practices," Oza said. SUM
BAL

Nifty may touch 13,400; Sensex 45,500 in 2020: Kotak Securities

New Delhi, Nov 21 () India Inc on Thursday welcomed the government's decision to defer receipt of spectrum auction installments due from telecom service providers, saying the move will provide headroom to the sector currently facing stress, generate job opportunities and drive consumer demand.
 The government on Wednesday doled out a Rs 42,000 crore relief to debt-laden telecom companies after it agreed not to take any payments for spectrum they use for the next two years.
 The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved giving Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea Ltd and Reliance Jio an option to avail a two-year moratorium on payments they were supposed to make in yearly installments for the spectrum bought in auctions.
 This is a great breakthrough in the economic reform system and will have a positive impact on the growth and development of telecom sector and the economy as a whole, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry President D K Aggarwal said.
 Deferment of spectrum auction installments will provide a pronounced relief to stressed telecom service providers leading to their continuous operations, ease their cash outflow and give them window to make payments for statutory liabilities and interest on bank loans, Aggarwal said.
 As the telecom sector is one of the major growth driver of economy, this move is welcomed as it will generate employment opportunities for the potential workforce, drive consumer demand sentiments in the economy, provide further impetus and pave way to achieve USD 5 trillion economy going forward, he added. 
 "Another notable decision of the government is the relief provided to the telecom sector by way of deferment of receipt of spectrum auction instalments due from telecom service providers for the year 2020-21 and 2021-22," Ficci President Sandip Somany said.
 The move should provide some headroom to the telecom sector in the country as it is seeing a lot of stress, he said.
 Describing the strategic sale of CPSEs as a major reform, Assocham said the decision reflects the clear mind set of the government about steadily moving out of businesses.
 "The underlying thinking is that the government has no business to be in business. It is a welcome and a major policy change," Assocham President BK Goenka said.
 Besides, the bill cleared by the Cabinet for allowing fixed term employment is a good and decisive starting point for labour reforms, Goenka said.
 The Centre on Wednesday approved the Industrial Relation Code Bill, which is the third code under labour reforms. 
 The government wants to codify 44 central labour laws into four broad codes.
 While the Code on Wages has already been approved by the Parliament, the Labour ministry will push the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill in the Budget Session. 
 The Code on Social Security is in pre-legislative stage.
 The bill provides for setting up a two-member tribunal (in place of one-member), thus introducing a concept that some of the important cases will be adjudicated jointly and the rest by a single-member, resulting in speedier disposal of cases.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also approved sale of government's entire 53.29 per cent stake along with transfer of management control in the country's second biggest state-owned refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) after removing Numaligarh refinery from its fold.
 It also gave a nod to sale of the entire government holding of 63.75 per cent in Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and 30.9 per cent stake in Container Corp of India (Concor). RSN RVK

Deferment of spectrum payment to provide headroom to telecom sector: India Inc

<ul><li>Global investment firm Nomura's model portfolio is heavily skewed towards blue chip stocks. </li><li>Four stocks -- Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, L&amp;T and HCL Tech-- make up for nearly 50% of all the investments.</li><li>There is also added emphasis on companies focussed on infrastructure construction. </li></ul>Investing in stock markets can tricky in these volatile times. Sentiment is swaying from one extreme to another driven by changes at home -- the ₹1.45 trillion sweeping tax cuts announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman-- and evolving global risks like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/Trump-impeachment-odds-skyrocket-to-62-on-popular-betting-website/articleshow/71285122.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">the risk of Donald Trump's impeachment</a>, the US-China trade war, a possible spike in oil prices to name a few. Small investors can take cues from the likes of global investment firm Nomura's model portfolio, as of September 20, while planning their investments. The portfolio and the allocation shared below also spells out the estimated earnings growth in the next two years. <table style="width: 392pt;"> </colgroup> <tbody><tr> <td class="xl63" style="height:15.75pt;width:139pt">Sector/Stock</td> <td class="xl64" style="border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; width: 97pt;">Portfolio weightage</td> <td class="xl64" style="border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; width: 156pt;">Earnings growth estimate FY19-21</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Automobiles</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">3.40%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">-13%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Mahindra &amp; Mahindra</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">2.20%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">18%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Minda Industries</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1.20%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Materials</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1.30%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">48%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Ultratech Cement</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1.30%</td> <td class="xl68" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Consumption</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">9.10%</td> <td class="xl68" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Financials</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">34.80%</td> <td class="xl68" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">ICICI Bank</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">10.80%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">140%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Axis Bank</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">7%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">69%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">ICICI Prudential Life Insurance</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">2.50%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">19%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">State Bank of India (SBI)</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">3.50%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">HDFC Bank</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">11%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">20%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Infrastructure/Industrials</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">13.10%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Larsen &amp; Toubro</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">6.50%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">17%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Concor</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">2%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">2%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">KNR Constructions</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">2.20%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">10%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">AIA Engineering</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1.50%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">18%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">VA Tech Wabag</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">0.90%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">34%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">IT Services</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">12.60%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">HCL Technologies</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">5.20%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">9%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Mphasis</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">3.70%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">9%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Tech Mahindra</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">3.70%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">3%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Oil &amp; Gas</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">14.20%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">GAIL</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">3.20%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">9%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Indraprastha Gas</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">21%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Reliance Industries</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">10%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">20%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Healthcare</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">6.60%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Dr Reddy's Labs</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">3.20%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">2%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Lupin</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1.30%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">41%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Glenmark Pharma</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1.10%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">11%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Apollo Hospitals</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">1%</td> <td class="xl67" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">59%</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Metals &amp; Mining</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">0</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Power/Utilities</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">4.30%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Telecom</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">0</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl68" style="height: 15.75pt; border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none;">Others</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;">0.70%</td> <td class="xl69" style="border-top-width: initial; border-top-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none;"> </td> </tr></tbody></table> Interestingly, while there are 23 stocks in the portfolio, the allocation prescribed is heavily skewed towards a handful of stocks -- namely Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, L&amp;T and HCL Tech-- which make for nearly 50% of the allocation-- showing the sharp difference in the prospects of Indian companies. In terms of sectors, the highest allocation is to companies focussed on infrastructure construction. This may be a bet on government's willingness to spend more of taxpayers' money to boost economic growth. The zero weightage given to telecom may reflect the battered prospects of the sector amidst intense competition, piled up debt, and the imminent pressure of having to bid for 5G spectrum when the auction opens up in the coming weeks. Some stocks like ICICI Bank and Axis Bank are expected to more than double their profits in the next couple but that is largely due to the low-base effect in the last financial, which was marred by rising bad loans and provisions. The return to normalcy may look better when compared to the performance last year. The three IT stocks -- HCL Tech, Mphasis, and Tech Mahindra-- are expected to give the highest return on equity, above 20% each, according to the estimates in the model portfolio of stocks. This model portfolio may give one a perspective on how to invest their surplus profitably. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/corporate-tax-cut-in-india-is-subject-to-giving-away-these-exemptions-and-incentives/articleshow/71243364.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Indian companies have to forego these exemptions to enjoy the $6 billion benefit from lower taxes</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cut-in-bank-deposit-rates-will-hurt-financial-savings-of-indian-families/articleshow/71075369.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Family savings in India face the threat of more interest rate cuts</a>

These five stocks make up for half of Nomura's model portfolio

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/foodtograpiya/8386976274/">Flickr/foodtograpiya</a></div></div></div><a href="http://markets.businessinsider.com/stock/pzza-Quote">Papa John's </a>wants to be thought of as a tech company - not a traditional restaurant chain. "We're much more close, I would argue, to Amazon than we are to a brick-and-mortar restaurant," Brandon Rhoten, Papa John's chief marketing officer, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-15/facebook-amazon-become-weapons-in-restaurant-ordering-arms-race">told Bloomberg. </a>While a pizza chain positioning itself as an e-commerce company may seem odd, Papa John's sales back Rhoten's argument. In May, the company reported more than 60% of its sale came through digital channels, primarily in the form of mobile orders. Papa John's isn't the only pizza chain taking cues from tech companies. "I think what we're going though is … the 'Uber-ization' of our customer experience," Pizza Hut's Chief Digital Officer, Baron Concors,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pizza-huts-new-technology-boosts-sales-2016-4"> told Business Insider in 2016.</a> "A lot of people think Uber really transformed the transportation industry, but I think they've really transformed commerce."Having better tech is key to beating out the competition, as digital orders make up at least half of all sales at Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Papa John's. As a result, all three chains have debuted high-tech and occasionally bizarre innovations, such as<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dominos-pizza-self-driving-pizza-robot-delivery-car-2016-9"> Domino's self-driving cars,</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/we-tried-pizza-hut-bluetooth-smart-sneakers-pie-tops-ncaa-basketball-delivery-2017-3">Pizza Hut's Bluetooth-enabled sneakers,</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/papa-johns-launches-first-apple-tv-app-2016-8">Papa John's Apple TV app. </a> <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/taste-test-between-coke-zero-coke-zero-sugar-diet-coke-2017-7">Coca-Cola is killing Coke Zero for Coke Zero Sugar - we did a blind taste test to see if we could tell the difference</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

Papa John's is changing how Americans order pizza by copying Uber and Amazon

<ul><li>In a year where the country hopes to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the onus will be on Nirmala Sitharaman to bring much needed relief for sectors, while also ensuring that the economy bounces back. </li><li>From bringing back jobs in the market to tax deductions, there are a lot of expectations from <keyword id="8420431" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2021">Budget 2021</keyword>.</li><li>According to reports, India's Defence Budget could also see a hike to hit total allocations of ₹6 lakh crore.</li><li>Here are the major changes that could come with the <keyword id="10270141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2021">Union Budget 2021</keyword>.</li></ul>India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to announce the annual budget on February 1, 2021 – paperless for the first time in the history of India. And in a year where the country hopes to recover from the coronavirus pandemic that ravaged almost every other sector, the onus will be on Sitharaman to bring much needed relief for people as well as sectors that need budgetary support to recover. Ahead of the Budget session of the Parliament, mandatory RT-PCR tests will be done on all the members and the question hour too is set to make a comeback. The Budget session is set to start on January 29, 2021. And here are the major changes that could reportedly come up with the <keyword id="6360189" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget">Union Budget</keyword> 2021. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Income tax deductions" comment="subhead" text="Income tax deductions">Income tax deductions</cmsannotation> With thousands having lost their jobs, and many more having had to undergo a salary cut across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sitharaman might be looking at possible ways to put more disposable income in the hands of the people. According to <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/middle-class-set-to-gain-from-higher-tax-deductions-likely-in-budget-2021/articleshow/80264633.cms">reports,</a> Budget 2021 might take forward the relief announced with the Atma Nirbhar package with the basic tax exemption limit for an individual being raised to ₹5 lakh from the current ₹2.5 lakh. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Income Tax Slab </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tax rates - new regime </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tax rates - old regime </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹0 - ₹2,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nil </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Nil </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,50,001 - ₹ 5,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹5,00,001 - ₹7,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12500 + 10% of total income exceeding ₹5,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12500 + 20% of total income exceeding ₹5,00,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹7,50,001 - ₹10,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹37500 + 15% of total income exceeding ₹7,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹62500 + 20% of total income exceeding ₹7,50,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹10,00,001 - ₹12,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹75000 + 20% of total income exceeding ₹10,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹112500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹10,00,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12,50,001 - ₹15,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹125000 + 25% of total income exceeding ₹12,50,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹187500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹12,50,000 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Above ₹ 15,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹187500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹15,00,000 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹262500 + 30% of total income exceeding ₹15,00,000 </td></tr></tbody></table> Until now, while the Modi government has pushed for a rebate on all payable taxes, the basic tax exemption limit has remained the same. The report also said that a higher standard deduction (salary that is not subject to income tax) could also be on the way – from the current ₹50,000 to ₹75,000-₹1,00,000. The government could also be planning a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/india-may-be-considering-a-covid-cess-on-high-income-earners-aside-from-more-levy-on-fuel/articleshow/80208520.cms">COVID cess </a>on high income earners. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Defence Budget to get a massive hike" comment="subhead" text="Defence Budget to get a massive hike">Defence Budget to get a massive hike</cmsannotation> Amidst the long standoff between India and China, according to <a href="https://english.jagran.com/business/budget/union-budget-2021-centre-likely-to-hike-defence-budget-unprecedently-make-in-india-to-be-in-focus-report-10022520">reports,</a> India’s defence budget could see an ‘unprecedented hike’ to meet the urgent requirements of the Indian Army. In Budget 2020, the government had allocated a total of ₹4.71 lakh crore (including defence pensions). Reports now say that with Budget 2021, the total allocation could hit ₹6 lakh crore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Farmers to get special attention" comment="subhead" text="Farmers to get special attention">Farmers to get special attention</cmsannotation> With the farmers’ protest going on for several months now, and the Republic Day farmers tractor rally also resulting in clashes in the national capital, Budget 2021 could take measures to soothe the pain of farmers. According to <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/business/union-budget-2021-centre-likely-to-hike-farm-credit-target-to-about-rs-19-lakh-crore-9240521.html">reports</a>, the farm credit target could be raised to ₹19 lakh crore with an aim to double farmers’ income. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Massive boost for construction and affordable housing on its way" comment="subhead" text="Massive boost for construction and affordable housing on its way">Massive boost for construction and affordable housing on its way</cmsannotation> The government may make way for a massive boost for the construction and affordable housing sector. An Indian Express report claimed that the government is likely to liberalise Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules in construction and to give a boost to home buyers, an allocation will be made for a credit-linked subsidy in the Budget 2021. In Budget 2020, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had proposed to extend the benefit of additional deduction of ₹1.5 lakh on interest paid on affordable housing loans by a year to March 2021. Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Fund, who is also a part of the Prime Minister's economic advisory council too said the focus could be on construction and infrastructure with this budget. "My first priority would be to support the needy sector of the economy – tourism, retailing, construction, bottom of the pyramid people MSME who have been hit hard. We must support them so that there’s better financial inclusion and they are also able to participate in growth. This can be done in various formats – you can give concessions, grants, you can create mechanism through which they can grow on their own," he said during a recent conversation with Business Insider. <div type="twitter" handle="BiIndia" handlename="Business Insider India🇮🇳" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1232926719016718336/sfffJHNV_normal.jpg" favoritecount="9" retweetcount="2" status="#BudgetInsider: @Iyer_Sriram in conversation with @KotakMF's @NileshShah68 ahead of #Budget2021, cuz the budget tra… https://t.co/k2YwAuyRPw" createdat="1610955127000" id="1351069844918194180"></div> According to<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/union-budget-development-finance-institution-likely-to-be-announced-101611026367782.html"> reports</a>,a Development Finance Institution (DFI) could also be announced with the budget. This new institution would look into infrastructure projects, whether new, stalled or currently in progress, worth ₹100 lakh crore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bringing back jobs in the market" comment="subhead" text="Bringing back jobs in the market">Bringing back jobs in the market</cmsannotation> Another top priority for the Modi government would be to bring back jobs in the market, after a year where thousands lost jobs across the country as companies tried to cut down costs. The boost in infrastructure and construction could also lead to the growth in jobs. “The Union Budget 2021- 2022 would likely focus on investments that create jobs and therefore infrastructure, construction and significant incentives for high employment-generating sectors (like textiles, affordable housing, MSME, etc) are key areas, which may get priority focus from the government end,” said a report by Sharekhan. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Smartphones, electronic items could get costlier" comment="subhead" text="Smartphones, electronic items could get costlier">Smartphones, electronic items could get costlier</cmsannotation> Indian government is set to hike import duties on over 50 items including the likes of smartphones, electronic items and others. According to a<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-budget-tax-exclusive/exclusive-indias-budget-seen-raising-import-duties-by-5-10-on-dozens-of-items-sources-say-idUSKBN29N14M"> Reuters report</a>, the hike could be as much as 5-10%. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Duty on finished goods could be raised" text="Duty on finished goods could be raised">Duty on finished goods could be raised</cmsannotation> Finished goods made rubber, plastic and leather could see a hike in import levies. Meanwhile, according to an ET report, “inputs used in producing chemicals such as methyl alcohol, acetic acid and PVC could see a reduction in tariffs.” <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Healthcare could be on the top priority list" comment="subhead" text="Healthcare could be on the top priority list">Healthcare could be on the top priority list</cmsannotation> With the COVID-19 pandemic having shown the need for better healthcare infrastructure and facilities in the country, it is likely that the sector will see renewed focus from Sitharaman. “Combined with the start of the 15th Finance Commission period, we may see a jump in healthcare spending,” said the Credit Suisse report. According to analysts at Sharekhan, within the healthcare stimulus we could also see the extension of tax benefits under Section 35AD. Analysts also expect that there could be an increase in deduction under section 80D of mediclaim premium to be increased to ₹50,000 (for self and spouse) and will remain at ₹50,000 (for dependant parents). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Raise the divestment target" comment="subhead" text="Raise the divestment target">Raise the divestment target </cmsannotation> As the Modi government looks to recover the economy, it may also increase divestment targets for the year. A news report said that the government is likely to raise its divestment target to ₹2.5-3 lakh crore. The government plans to achieve the same with the long-pending privatization of government-owned entities like Air India, BPCL, Concor and Shipping Corp. The government could also plan to <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/budget/article/budget-2021-govt-may-announce-plans-to-privatise-some-psu-banks/711735">privatize</a> PSU banks. In Budget 2020, the government had set a target of ₹2.1 lakh crore, however it has managed a <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/lower-divestment-spectrum-auction-receipts-hit-non-tax-collection-target-7145297/">meagre amount </a>of it – ₹13,844.49 crore. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-what-analysts-have-to-say-about-the-4634-crore-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80323479.cms">The ₹4,600 crore IPO from IRFC is ‘attractive,’ and the best thing about the borrowing arm for Indian Railways is the assured margin</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-rakesh-jhunjhunwala-backed-nazara-technologies-is-preparing-for-its-big-ipo-debut/articleshow/80321946.cms">The startup behind Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu and Shikari Shambhu is back with an IPO plan ⁠⁠— after a series of acquisitions and fundraisings</a>

Budget 2021: From Income Tax deductions to creating jobs and boosting healthcare – Here’s all that could be in Nirmala Sitharaman’s fiscal plans

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image">Starbucks</div></div></div>From Starbucks to Pizza Hut, mobile ordering is taking over the fast-food industry.Orders placed via smartphone will make up more than 10% of all quick-service restaurant sales by 2020, according to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/yum-brands-earnings-show-the-power-of-mobile-order-ahead-2016-4">Business Insider Intelligence.</a> At that point, mobile ordering is expected to be a $38 billion industry. While restaurant mobile ordering programs are still in their early days, fast-food chains are investing big in the future. Brands that rely heavily on delivery, such as pizza chains, are especially attuned to the importance of mobile. At least half of Domino's and Papa John's sales are through digital channels, while Pizza Hut clocks in at 46%. The pizza industry is constantly pushing to grow that percentage, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dominos-and-papa-johns-are-fighting-for-consumers-on-this-one-key-battleground-2016-4">as spending on the average pizza order is 18% greater online than on the phone</a>. Convenience is one of the most important factors for customers deciding where to order their pizza, so much so that Pizza Hut recently adopted the motto <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/taco-bell-says-better-food-isnt-worth-it-2016-4">"easy beats better."</a> Digital makes ordering easier, removing steps from the process and giving customers the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pizza-huts-new-technology-boosts-sales-2016-4">chance to track exactly where their pizza is</a> in the process of being prepared and delivered. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw07EXR8mJg#t=63">YouTube</a>Domino's "Push for Pizza" app</div></div></div>Mobile is the next step in pizza convenience, something chains are attempting to profit from with innovations like Domino's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dominos-new-app-orders-you-pizza-automatically-with-zero-clicks-2016-4">"no click" platform, </a>which allows customers to order simply by opening the app. App companies have become some of pizza chains' biggest inspirations; Pizza Hut's chief digital officer, Baron Concors, says that the industry is undergoing an "<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pizza-huts-new-technology-boosts-sales-2016-4">Uber-ization,</a>" while Domino's executives have said they consider the business to be a "<a href="http://nrn.com/technology/how-domino-s-became-tech-company">tech company.</a>"While pizza chains highlight the power of mobile convenience for delivery-centric chains, Starbucks demonstrates how apps can boost customer loyalty. Starbucks has been a leader in this category since it launched mobile payment in 2010. "I guarantee in the US there is no one else even close, as far as the number of mobile payments," <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-mobile-payment-numbers-2015-11">Starbucks CFO Scott Maw said in November</a> at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer and <keyword id="6354851" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Retail">Retail</keyword> Brokers Conference.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji</div></div></div>In the first quarter of 2016, 24% of Starbucks' orders were paid for using the company's app, compared to 21% in the fourth quarter of 2015. At Starbucks, mobile allows for the linkage of ordering, payment, and the chain's rewards program, which is now more than 12 million members strong. The company has said its mobile strategy is part of an interlocking "digital ecosystem" Starbucks is constantly building - one that will soon include a prepaid Visa card that allows customers to earn rewards points (called "stars") with every purchase. The coffee chain is utilizing mobile to bring about what executives call a world of "stars everywhere." Since Americans increasingly have their smartphones constantly by their sides, tapping into mobile has allowed Starbucks to be constant in the lives of customers, even when they aren't sipping on a coffee.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tacobell/photos_stream">Taco Bell Facebook</a></div></div></div>Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks reveal what mobile technology has the potential to become in the fast-food industry - a powerful tool for making ordering more convenient, boosting customer loyalty, and increasing how much money people are willing to spend. More chains are catching on. In the most recent quarter, Taco Bell reported that orders via mobile are 30% greater on average than in-store orders. McDonald's plans to test mobile ordering across the US this year, <a href="http://www.thestreet.com/story/13508035/1/mcdonald-s-will-soon-let-you-order-a-big-mac-with-your-smartphone.html">reports The Street. </a>Plus, there are third-party mobile apps, such as Grubhub, that allow customers to order using their smartphones even at chains that do not have mobile ordering. However, these chains without mobile ordering are passing up on an enormous opportunity. As mobile order-ahead explodes into a $38 billion industry, fast-food companies need to look to early innovators like Domino's and Starbucks if they hope to stay competitive in the next decade. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-iced-latte-hack-coffee-save-money-2015-12">This Starbucks hack will save you $2 on one of its coffee drinks</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="Zld2VsdzopLqr_b9AeXc8crdDoZ9pkdC" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

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