Cement Sector

Important measures in Budget 2001

* Customs duty on cement reduced from 35% to 25%

* Boost to the National Housing Development Programme outlay enhanced by 93% to Rs.87.3 billion

* A special excise duty of 16% levied on white cement and other cements, taking the total duty to 32%.

* Roads and Highways given a 10 years tax holiday

* Benefits continued for the housing and infrastructure sectors

* Companies supplying cement to earthquake-affected areas of Gujarat would be exempted from excise duty