Budget 2012: Star ratings

* I’m glad the FM has announced a hike in the budget for free and compulsory education to children below 14 years. The only way to empower the youth is by providing them the right to education and the right education. The entertainment industry has sought a service tax waiver for the last few years. I’m glad this has been touched on in this budget. It is a way forward for us — Kareena Kapoor
* For nation building, the key sectors are education and health.I’m happy that there is some sort of focus in the budget on both these sectors. While economic growth is an important aspect for a country, no growth can be sustained if we don’t pay enough attention to education and health as these are the key differentiators. The reduction in cost of life-saving drugs is a very positive step — AAMIR Khan
* We are thrilled the service tax will now not be applicable on copyrights relating to recording of cinematograph films. This will provide relief to the M&E industry. We are thankful to the finance and I&B ministers for accepting the industry demand to excempt service tax on copyrights relating to the recording of cinematrography films. While we are yet to read the fine print, this will cheer the industry as we celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema in 2013 —Karan Johar
* The future of a country is dependent on its children, their well-being and education. I am very happy that the FM has given importance and due prominence to education and health. Also, the FM plans to set up a committee to ensure that every paisa spent on the social sector and education gets monitored. This will help the funds reach the correct hands and the ministry would be able to monitor the effectiveness of the plan —Priyanka Chopra
* Overall, the budget is extremely realistic and positive. The FM has recommended several positive initiatives in education and health sectors. But I am happy that interest rates have been reduced for affordable housing projects. An individual who is starting out in life can look at buying a new house within a budget of Rs 25 lakh at a lower interest rate. This will encourage people starting out in life — Deepika Padukone
* The upping of the tax slab to Rs 2 lakh is a positive step. For those starting their careers, every thousand rupee counts; this step would certainly come as a relief to them. But I personally feel the tax exemption limit should be set higher as the basic cost of living, especially in metros, has risen dramatically. The finance ministry can actually increase its focus on youth and provide them more benefits. It will help in community building. More than half of our population is young and that should somewhere reflect in our budgets —Imran khan
Budget 2012
Budget News 2012