Increased spending on social welfare and other benefits has been commonplace in Indian budgets for many years. But analysts say the tone of this budget will be different, mainly steering clear of populist measures.

Endorsing the previous UPA government's monthly 40-50 paisa per litre increase in diesel prices, the ministry is likely to propose that the monthly revisions may continue till the present Rs 3.40 a litre loss on the fuel is fully bridged.

Each non-subsidised 14.2-kg cooking gas cylinder will now cost Rs 922.50 in Delhi, up from Rs 906, according to Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation's largest oil firm.

Fresh dollar selling by exporters too aided the rupee rise but gains were capped as the dollar index was marginally up against its global peers, a forex dealer said.

Buying by foreign funds amid positive global cues also boosted the domestic sentiment. The decision to increase diesel, petrol and non-subsidised LPG prices after hiking railway freight and fare was interpreted by investors as the government's resolve to take tough decisions, said brokers.

Petrol in Delhi will cost Rs 73.58 per litre, up Rs 2.02 from Rs 71.56 at present. Diesel rates will go up by 56 paise to Rs 57.84 per litre.

Business Today organised a pre-budget panel discussion with Ajit Ranade, Chief Economist, Aditya Birla Group; Arvind Virmani, former chief economic advisor to the finance ministry; Satya Poddar, Partner, EY; and Dhiraj Mathur, Executive Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Following the diesel model, the oil ministry is now proposing monthly increases in LPG and kerosene rates, sources privy to the development said.

If rupee continues to strengthen and monthly price hikes of up to 50 paisa a litre are allowed, diesel prices will be decontrolled by September.

The price of domestic LPG cylinders will not be increased and the number of subsidised refills given to consumers would continue, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.

The new edition, having additional features such as outside rear-view mirrors with integrated turn signals, will be priced between Rs 3.44 and 3.99 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

For the year ended March 2014, the company has posted an increase of 40.24 per cent in its net profit at Rs 7,019.09 crore compared to Rs 5,005.17 crore for the same period in the previous year.

Maruti's Mayank Pareek talks about the rural drive, the used car business, and the potential of cars with automatic transmission.

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India launched a CNG variant of its latest compact car 'Celerio', priced at Rs 4.68 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The Congress-led UPA had in June 2010 freed petrol prices and rates have largely moved in tandem with costs. Diesel and cooking fuels LPG and kerosene continue to be controlled.

After a brief hiatus, diesel prices were hiked on Monday by Rs 1.09 a litre, excluding state levies in India.

The company had stopped taking bookings for the vehicle, which was launched in June, in the wake of heavy demand.

The new variant, which comes with 1 litre Kappa engine, will be available along with the current 0.8 litre variants of Eon.

Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG, whose price was last cut by a steep Rs 14.90 per kg in February, will cost Rs 38.15 per kg from tomorrow as against the current rate of Rs 35.20.

Diesel accounts for more than half of the under recoveries or revenue loss of oil marketing companies. OMCs incur revenue loss on sale of diesel, kerosene and domestic cooking gas at government-controlled rates.