The budget, which pegs the total expenditure for 2017-18 at Rs 21.47 lakh crore -- with a 25.4 per cent jump in capital-side outlay -- continued with the government's focus on curbing black money by limiting cash transactions to less than Rs 3 lakh. Apart from sops and substantial increase in allocation on affordable housing, job-guarantee scheme and agriculture sector, Jaitley also sought to raise the defence budget for the next fiscal by 10 per cent to Rs 2.74 lakh crore. For those with higher income, the 15 per cent surcharge remains. For those with higher income, the 15 per cent surcharge remains. Much to the relief of investors, he left the capital gains, securities transaction tax and other market levies untouched.

Source: India Today February 01, 2017 10:38 UTC