Sania Mirza blows away post budget blues
Dubai: An incredible performance from Sania Mirza saw her beat Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in straight sets in the second round of the Dubai Open. Trailing 4-0 in the first set, Sania staged a superb comeback, winning six games in a row to take the set at 6-4, and then stayed on the top in the second set to beat the reining US Open champion 6-4, 6-2.

Sania, a wild card entrant, had booked a second round clash against Kuznetsova after upsetting Croatia's Jelena Kostanic in her opening match on Monday. She now faces the winner of the match between Elia Silvia Farina of Italy and 28th seed Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinal.
Back to News Review index page  

Chidambaram: 'Clean budget'
New Delhi: Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that the budget has attempted to clean up the tax regime. He also asserted that it aims at spurring investment and implementing the goals outlined in government's National Common Minimum Programme.

Describing it as an investment-friendly budget, he said, "The budget is clean, without too much clutter. We have laid down a reasonably fair and transparent tax regime in which you pay taxes, bring growth and investment." The government's single cause of worry, however, remains outcomes and the delivery mechanism, he added.

The implementation of programmes outlined in the Budget was in the hands of other ministries, state governments and local bodies, he felt.
Back to News Review index page  

FM promises to revisit fringe benefits tax
New Delhi: Finance Minister P Chidambaram has indicated that government may have a relook at some of the proposals like the fringe benefit tax on perks announced in the budget for 2005-06.

"These are our proposals and suggestions, which are broadly accepted. We'll go into them one by one. But if you point out that there are some things to be cleaned up, we'll certainly look into it," the FM said responding to a query at a conference.

In the budget for 2005-06, Chidambaram proposed a 30 per cent tax on employers offering various perks to employees as fringe benefits.
Back to News Review index page