Budget 2021 will address woes of affected sectors, says Finance Secretary

AJAY BHUSHAN PANDEY says litigants in more than 96,000 appeals - involving disputed amounts of Rs 83,000 crore - have opted for the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme, which has been extended by a month

Finance Secretary AJAY BHUSHAN PANDEY attributes the record December goods and services tax (GST) collections at Rs 1.15 trillion to economic recovery and the government’s measures to address tax evasion. In conversation with Dilasha Seth and Indivjal Dhasmana, he says litigants in more than 96,000 appeals — involving disputed amounts of Rs 83,000 crore — have opted for the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme, which has been extended by a month. Edited excerpts:

Will the new Covid strain further heighten economic uncertainty? How will this impact the Budget-making exercise?

We are living in times of uncertainty and the new normal. Certain