Despite slow export figures, exporters do not have many expectations from the upcoming budget. Export growth rate came down significantly from sky-rocketing 82 percent in July 2011 to 10.1 percent in January 2012.

Inclusion of the real estate sector in the proposed goods and services tax (GST) regime – which seeks to make the whole country a single market -- will bring down property prices by a whopping 20 percent, according to 13th Finance Commission chairman Vijay Kelkar.

There could be some good news for ailing Air India in the upcoming budget with the government considering a support package of about Rs 10,000 crore for it, including Rs 6,600 crore worth of equity infusion.

Ahead of the Budget, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will meet senior Congress leaders on Thursday to seek their inputs for Budget proposals for 2012-13.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday expressed hope that indirect tax collection target of Rs 3.92 lakh crore for the current fiscal will be met despite the economic slowdown.

Ahead of the budget, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday met financial sector regulators, including RBI Governor D Subbarao and Sebi Chairman U K Sinha, to seek their inputs for formulating proposals to boost economy and improve investment climate.

The Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi has written a letter to the Prime Minister disapproving 20 percent hike in rail freight rates just after the completion of assembly elections.

Railways has earned Rs 92,985.50 crore during April-February period as compared to Rs 84,402.34 crore for the same period last fiscal, registering an increase of 10.17 percent.

Railways on Tuesday withdrew four percent exemption on fertiliser and foodgrain loading rates ahead of Rail Budget.

With the onset of lean season for iron ore demand, the Railways has cut freight rate on the export of the commodity by Rs 475 per tn with effect from Tuesday.