Finance Minister P Chidambaram presented the Union Budget 2007-08 in Parliament on Wednesday. HOwever, the industry ws not eally enthused by the proposals that the finance minsiter made.

In a chat, industry head honchos discuss the Budget. Transcript:

SUNIL BHARTI MITTAL, VICE PRESIDENT CII, says, "I feel the budget is going to give a dramatic thrust on agriculture. The finance minister gave 20 minutes of his time on the subject of agriculture

SUNIL BHARTI MITTAL, VICE PRESIDENT CII, says, "Further to my comment on the subject of agriculture, I feel Finance minister wants to shift the well being of economy to not so well being people.

SUNIL BHARTI MITTAL, VICE PRESIDENT CII says, "I feel the finance minister's message to industry is that you are doing well and keep doing well.

SUNIL BHARTI MITTAL, VICE PRESIDENT CII, says, "In telecom sector we wanted multiiple tax structure to ease out but that did not happen. However, I must say that he addressed this issue and noted our point. I feel that is a good step.

CII President, R. Seeshasayee says, "I felt the finance minister's budget was focus on education and health issue. There is a large allocation made on education. He spoke of PPP (Public Private Partnership) model and that is a great news. The second good news was on focus of agriculture and increase in farm credit.

Madhur Bajaj, Vice Chairman, Bajaj Auto Limited: I am disappointed because nothing has been done in auto sector. Last yeat there was a reduction of rates in small cars but that has not happened this year.

Madhur Bajaj, Vice Chairman, Bajaj Auto Limited:: I am happy over the fact that duties have gone down to some extent and also the fact that there is a boost to agriculture sector. I can also say with relief that NOT imposing penalty is also a relief to our sector. If nothing positive has happened then nothing negative too has happened.

Subodh K Bhargava, Chairman, Wartsila (India) Ltd: As far as Corporate India is concerned the budget was disappointing. The finance minister did not take the risk that he should have taken. There is also little on infrastructure. The good thing about the budget is the emphasize laid on education. Education is future of inida, this is a plus point and another plus point is the emphasize on agriculture.

Malvinder Singh, Ceo & Managing Director, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited: I will give this budget 7/10. It is a positive budget for Pharma sector. There is exemption for R & D in the bduget. It will give boost to Indian scientists and second good point is the reduction of import duty. The finanice minister has set aside crores in this budget for HIV & AIDS and that is a good sign.

Malvinder Singh, Ceo & Managing Director, Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited: There is a greater focus on eradication of TB and Malaria. If we need to grow as a nation then health of every individual is important. The disappointing thing in the budget is dividend distribution tax that has been thrust on us.

Sunil Kant Munjal, Managing Director & Ceo, Hero Corporate Service Ltd: The budget is populist and I don't think it will be easy to sustain a growth of 9.2 percent next year. There are no pathbreaking steps taken in the budget. There is no focus on auto sector unlike last year. We were hoping he would give benefit to auto sector just like he did last year but that has not happened. I was personally expecting that this year two wheeler industry would get some benefit as he had given it to small cars last year.

Jagdish Khattar, Managing Director, Maruti Udyog Limited: The budget lays lot of emphasize on education and agriculture. It is very neutral on automobile. I feel the government is trying to supress the demand of audo sectgor as already the interest rates are rising.