Budget 2014: Computers, LED TVs to cost less

New Delhi: Computers, LCD and LED TVs below 19 inches, tablets, water purifiers using reverse osmosis technology manufacturing in the country are some of the items that are set to become cheaper after Union finance minister Arun Jaitley announced reduction in different taxes and duties on these.

Mr Jaitley announced that tablets, computers, LCD, LED TVs, CRT TVs will cost less in India. Customs duty for LCD and LED computer display panels below 19-inches will now be zero  to boost their manufacturing. Mr Jaitley said the government will exempt all inputs/components used in the manufacture of personal computers from 4 per cent special additional duty and impose education cess on imported electronic products to provide parity between domestically produced goods and imported goods. The education cess for all taxpayers will be 3 per cent in 2014-15.

Experts feel that the imposition of education cess on imported electronic products will cause a 7 to 8 per cent increase in prices of smart phones as there is hardly any manufacturing that is done in the country.

The minister further said, "Low-end television sets would be cheaper now. Cathode ray TVs are used by weaker sections who cannot afford to buy more expensive flat panel TVs. The duty concession will help revive manufacturing of TVs in the SME (small and medium enterprise) sector and create employment opportunities".