Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on her expectations from Union Budget

1. I hope the forthcoming Budget will see increased public healthcare spending from the current abysmal 1 per cent level to a more credible 2.5 per cent of GDP in order to address the burgeoning healthcare challenges India is facing.

2. Similarly, the 200 per cent weighted deduction for expenditure incurred on scientific research must be retained in order to foster science and technology-related research and innovation in the country.

3. The Budget needs to create conditions for higher investments in R&D-led start-ups to prepare the path for value accretive and non-linear growth.

4. The removal of tax breaks would dampen investments in R&D, blunting India's 'innovation edge' and putting it at a competitive disadvantage to its peers.