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Below are Views On Pre- Budget wishlist from Mr Nilesh Shah, CMD, Atlas Integrated Finance Ltd

*Mr. Nilesh Shah, Chairman and MD, Atlas Integrated Finance Ltd* said “With the disastrous effects that Covid19 had on everyone`s lives, businesses and the Indian economy, the expectations from the upcoming Union Budget 2021 is sky high. The unemployment rate though has come down from 23.52% in April 2020 to 9.06% in Dec 2020, is still on the higher side.”

As per the latest report by McKinsey by 2030, India needs to generate 90 million non-farming jobs over the next decade (this is not accounting for 55 million women who might join the workforce,) which is possible is the GDP growth remains consistently above 8%. This year GDP growth has been just 4%.

*“At Atlas Integrated Finance Ltd, we have identified some sectors which can help India solve its falling GDP and unemployment problem, if those sectors get the necessary support from the government in this Budget. We think the necessary exemptions in the below sectors will pave the path for a resounding growth of the economy”*

*The Housing Sector*

Housing is a sector that helps in creation of both direct jobs (construction workers, carpenters, plumbers, engineers etc.) and indirect jobs (in cement, steel, paint, power and many of the ancillary industries associated with housing.) in India. There is a large level of unsold inventory in cities like Mumbai, Delhi NCR region, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai etc.

As per section 24 of the Income tax Act 1961 an assesse is eligible for interest deduction of only Rs.2 lacs on the interest paid on housing loans. An increase in this ceiling limit should incentivise home buyers. This coupled with the reduction of stamp duty charges below 5% can give a boost to the housing demand and lead to record high registrations as seen in Maharashtra as on Dec 2020.

*The Automobile Industry*

The automobile sector has witnessed seen a lot of problems due to reduction in demand, cost increase due to regulatory changes due to emission and safety norms ,insurance, premium for five years and road tax registration increase have led to almost 30 to 40% price increase in the various automotive segments. Some of the steps like reduction of the GST tax rates to 18%, introduction of the incentive based vehicle scrappage policy to scrap over 15-year-old commercial vehicles, local sourcing of automobile parts and EV incentives for electric vehicle buyers are some of the triggers for boost in the demand in this sectors.

*The Travel and Tourism Industry*