If you have been complaining about the rising inflation in food prices, finally there is some cause for cheer. Finance Minister P Chidambaram has done away with the additional countervailing duty of four per cent on both crude and refined edible oils.
Further, the duty on sunflower oil is slated to go down as well, with both these moves likely to result in lower prices for the end consumer.
Recognising the modern day lifestyle and changing food consumption trends, those relying on food aids have been given a relief by simplifying the cooking process.
After halving excise duties on idli and dosa mixes last year, the finance minister has taken a pan-India view this time by exempting all kinds of food mixes from duty. This includes instant mixes.
Packaged food becomes a little cheaper post Budget, not just for you, but for your pets as well. A reduction in duty on pet food from 30 per cent to 20 per cent is a measure brought in for all the 'dog and cat lovers'.
Biscuits, among the most ubiquitous snack foods in India, too have been given some relief. Brands priced below Rs 50 per kg will be exempt from tax, though, it is unlikely to result in a price cut for consumers, given the input cost pressures the manufacturers face.
The benefits are not just restricted to food! Water purifiers using certain specific technologies are all set to become cheaper. As are domestic water filters that don't use electricity. If you've been thinking of redoing your house, now would be a good time.
Plywood has been made cheaper which means that you can now be environment-friendly and use wood for your home. Cleaning the house, however, may cost you a tad more with exemptions on brooms, mops and dusters being withdrawn.
Personal accessories, too, are set to become more affordable with reduction in excise duties on footwear, umbrellas and watch components. While duties on watch dials and movements and umbrella parts are down from 12.5 per cent to 5 per cent, excise duty on footwear parts and umbrellas has been halved from 16 to 8 per cent.
And to end it off, mouth fresheners (pan masala without tobacco) too are all set to get cheaper with duties coming down from 66 per cent to 45 per cent.
