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Union Budget 2026-27 SHE Marts to Strengthen Women-Led Enterprises

February 02, 2026

Budget Push for Women-Led Market Institutions

The Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed the establishment of Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts as community-owned retail outlets aimed at expanding market access for women-led enterprises. The initiative seeks to strengthen the self-help group (SHG) ecosystem by providing a structured and reliable platform for marketing products made by women entrepreneurs, particularly in states with a strong SHG base such as Jharkhand.

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Union Budget 2026-27 Telecom Allocation Moderates, BSNL Support Strengthened

February 02, 2026

Telecom Budget Reflects Shift from Headline Spending to Targeted Support

The Union Budget 2026–27 has earmarked Rs 73,990.94 crore for the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), signalling a calibrated approach to telecom spending. While the overall allocation is lower than the previous year’s Budget Estimate, the revised outlay underscores the government’s intent to prioritise public sector-led telecom infrastructure revival, with a strong focus on Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

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Union Budget 2026-27 Excise Duty Relief for Biogas Blended CNG

February 02, 2026

Excise Duty Exemption Signals Policy Shift Towards Renewable Gas

The Union Budget 2026–27 has introduced a targeted excise-duty exemption on the biogas / compressed biogas (CBG) component used in blended compressed natural gas (CNG). This fiscal measure marks a clear policy intent to accelerate the adoption of renewable gas while reducing India’s structural dependence on imported fossil fuels. Importantly, the move resolves a long-standing issue of double taxation that had weakened the commercial viability of biogas blending.

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Cigarette Prices to Rise from February 2026 After New Excise Duty Regime

February 02, 2026

New Tax Regime Pushes Up Cigarette Prices

Cigarette prices across India are set to increase sharply from February 2026 following the rollout of a new excise duty and cess framework on tobacco products. The change marks the first tax hike on cigarettes in nearly seven years and is already being reflected in distributor billing. Trade sources indicate that a pack of 10 cigarettes is becoming costlier by at least Rs22–25 in most categories, with premium variants seeing price jumps of up to Rs50–55 per pack.

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Union Budget 2026 Boosts India’s Ground-Based Astronomy Infrastructure

February 02, 2026

Budget 2026 Expands India’s Astronomy Footprint

The Union Budget 2026–27 has announced a significant expansion of India’s ground-based astronomy infrastructure, with four major facilities planned across Ladakh and southern India. Presenting the Budget, Nirmala Sitharaman said the initiatives would enhance India’s strengths in solar physics, deep-space observation and science outreach.

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