India, Feb. 1 -- As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget on Saturday, key sectors-including real estate, non-banking financial corporations (NBFCs), and the bullion market-have outlined their expectations, hoping for policies that drive growth and investment.

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) Maharashtra, the apex body of private real estate developers in the state, has reiterated its demand for 'industry status' to facilitate easier access to funding and attract investments. The sector is also pushing for an increase in the tax deduction limit for housing loan interest under Section 24(b) from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.5 lakh to make homeownership more accessible. Addit...