PC does his bit for PCs

It took a lot of lobbying from computer makers with different governments. But their efforts finally paid off when finance minister P Chidambaram announced a total removal of excise duty on personal computers. “The zero excise duty is a very positive and much desired announcement,” said HC Tandon, director, PCS Industries Limited. He added that a price cut of 6-8 pc could be expected from PCs. ‘‘This budget announcement will now make the computer more accessible to consumers. With the complete waiver of excise duty, we foresee a definite drop in PC prices by 10 per cent,’’ said Raj Saraf, CMD, Zenith Computers Ltd. Hardware manufacturers have been lobbying for the reduction and the announcement is a step in the right direction, he said.