Budget 2001      *    Freight rates hiked nearly 3% for non-essential goods     *     Freight rates of steel, coal, iron hiked by 2%      *     Freight rate of cement hiked by 3%      *     Essential commodities spared from freight hike      *     No hike in passenger fares      *     No freight rate hike for LPG      *     Freight hike to generate Rs 500 cr added revenue to govt.      *     Furnace oil freight hiked by 1%      *     Urea, newspaper, medicines spared from freight hike      *     Freight hike to generate Rs 500 cr added revenue to govt.      *     Fiscal deficit in 1999-2000 up at 5.55% of GDP from a low of 4.1%      *     Revenue deficit higher at 3.5% of GDP      *     Gross tax revenues decline by 0.9% of GDP      *     Economic Survey 2000-01 calls for lower interest rates      *     Privatisation need of the hour, says Economic Survey 2000-01      *     Economic Survey 2000-01 urges expenditure control by government      *     Economic Survey 2000-01 calls for scrapping retention pricing for fertilisers      *     Call to deregulate coal, petroleum, power and sugar sectors      *     Remove control on storage and distribution of agricultural inputs, says Economic Survey 2000-01      *     Open up Internet telephony, says Economic Survey 2000-01      *     Downsize government, says Economic Survey 2000-01      *     Call for direct tax reforms      *     Economic Survey moots lower direct taxes, wider tax base      *     Lacunae in Cenvat, the Central excise system, to be removed      *     A comprehensive tax on the service sector proposed      *     Lower interest rate necessary, feels Economic Survey 2000-01      *     Modern bankruptcy provisions in Companies Act suggested      *    States urged to repeal Urban Land Ceiling Act      *     Repeal Rent Control Act, says Economic Survey 2000-01      *     Dereservation of small-scale sector on cards      *     Call for sound and independent power regulatory authority      *     Private participation in urban infrastructure projects urged      *     Union Budget 2001-02 to be announced at 11:00 IST on 28 February      *     Commercial vehicle segment demands cut in excise duty      *     Tractor industry hopes for revival of dual excise duty structure      *     National Highway Authority seeks reduction in import duty      *     E-commerce may be taxed      *     Shipping industry lobbying for tonnage tax      *     Capital markets expect roll-back of dividend tax on corporates      *     Mutual funds hope to get the green signal for retirement plans      *     Consumer electronics segment demands excise and customs duty reduction      *     Soft drink manufacturers expect reduction in excise duty      *     FMCG sector hopes for lowering of taxes on items of mass consumption      *     Interest rate on small saving schemes may be cut by 1% to 10%      *     Strong anti-dumping measures wanted  by garment industry      *     Retailing demands  industry status      *     Cellular operators ask for  lower duties on import of handsets      *     Power sector expects liberal approach      *     Bullion traders for  import duty reduction      *     Changes in excise and customs duty expected by non-ferrous metal industry      *     Entertainment industry demands equal status with IT industry      *     Auto component sector demands excise duty cuts      *     Tyre companies ask for lower input costs      *     CII suggests tax exemption for corporates setting up educational institutions    *    Housing finance firms demand uniformity in sales and lease tax norms    *    Finance minister indicates a cut on customs duties on liquor    *    IT sector demands withdrawal of withholding tax on imports of software    *    Government to come out with a reforms package for employees    *    Tobacco farmers expect 1% cess on cigarette sales    *    Hospitality industry lobbies for removal of 10% hotel expenditure tax    *    Ad agencies demand rationalisation of 5% TDS on advertisers    *    Seafood exporters demand duty-free imports of raw material    *    The small scale industry expects a raise in the excise exemption limit