Union budget may not tinker too much with duty rates: CARE

Mumbai, Feb 25 (PTI) CARE Ratings today said itexpects no significant increase in excise duties in the comingUnion budget.

"No increase in passenger fares and freight rates inthe Railway budget presented today, might be seen as anexpectation of no significant increase in excise duties in thecoming Union budget," the rating agency said in a statementhere.

This also means that the government is keen oncontrolling inflation and has deferred any hike in railcharges, it said.

The Union budget will be presented in Parliament onMonday.

In its Railway budget analysis, CARE Ratings said thatthe railway transport is vital for economic development. Withhighest ever allocation of Rs 57,630 crore, the budget looksoptimistic on moving towards building of a strong railroadinfrastructure.

The budget provides significant opportunities forprivate investment with 85 proposals for public- privatepartnership plans. Overall infrastructure investment willreceive a boost, it observed. .