Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy welcomed the proposals in the health sector, including increase in the quantum of deduction available under 35AD of the Income Tax Act in respect of capital expenditure incurred on construction of new hospitals consisting of at least 100 beds from the existing 100 percent to 150 percent.

“Another positive for healthcare sector is the specific mention in the Budget speech that hospitals would be covered under the negative list under the service tax net," he said.