Page 8 - Budget And Economy

Ignored plight of Manipur amidst flood, violence in Union Budget: Congress

The opposition Congress in Manipur on Tuesday criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre, alleging that it ignored the plight of the state, which not only suffered a major flood but also bore the brunt of ethnic violence, in the Union Budget. State Congress president K Meghachandra alleged that there was a partisan approach in the Budget. "There was a partiality in the budget. The entire Northeast was not taken care of. Manipur was once again neglected. While flood-hit Assam was mentioned, Manipur that witnessed a catastrophic hailstorm and two of the worst floods in more than 20 years was not," he said. "Not providing any aid to more than 60,000 displaced people is also a setback. We are very much disappointed," he said. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP in the state hailed the Budget, asserting that it was dedicated to the holistic and inclusive development of all citizens. In a statement, state BJP spokesperson M Asnikumar said, "To achieve comprehensive social justice, we will em

Budget 2024: Realty gets mixed signals with housing boost, indexation cut

Rs 10 trillion boost for urban housing but indexation removal plays dampener

Budget 2024: How FM Sitharaman's tax changes will impact your finances

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2024 brings a mix of tax reliefs and hikes with key changes including income tax slab restructuring and revised capital gains tax rates

Budget 2024-25 commits reforms to strengthen IBC, strengthen tribunals

Finance Minister says integrated technology platform will be set up for improving bankruptcy code outcomes

Budget 2024: Sitharaman's Budget cuts subsidy bill by 7.8% to Rs 3.81 trn

In a move that signals fiscal prudence, the government reduced its subsidy outlay for food, fertiliser, and fuel by 7.8 per cent in the full Budget for 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The total subsidy allocation stands at Rs 3,81,175 crore for the current fiscal, down from the previous year's figure of Rs 4,13,466 crore. This reduction aligns with the estimates projected in February's interim budget. Breaking down the allocations, the food subsidy has been set at Rs 2,05,250 crore, a decrease from the revised estimates of Rs 2,12,332 crore for the fiscal ending March 31, 2024. This subsidy covers the difference between the economic cost of foodgrains procured by the government and their sales realisation under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other welfare schemes, benefiting approximately 80 crore individuals. The fertiliser subsidy has seen a more significant cut, with Rs 1,64,000 crore earmarked for 2024-25 against

Census, NPR unlikely in 2024 too as only Rs 1,309.46 cr allocated in Budget

The Budget 2024-24 on Tuesday allocated Rs 1,309.46 crore for census, a significant reduction from 2021-22 when Rs 3,768 crore was allocated for the decadal exercise, an indication that it may not be carried out even after a significant delay. A meeting of the Union cabinet on December 24, 2019 had approved the proposal for conducting census of India 2021 at a cost of Rs 8,754.23 crore and updating the National Population Register (NPR) at a cost of Rs 3,941.35 crore. The house listing phase of the census and the exercise to update the NPR were scheduled to be carried out across the country from April 1 to September 30, 2020 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The census operation continues to be on hold and the government has not yet announced the new schedule. Officials said since general elections had taken place this year, the census exercise will not be able to be carried out in 2024. According to the Budget 2024-25, Rs 1,309.46 crore has been allocated for censu

3 cancer drugs now exempt from customs duty; X-ray tubes to become cheaper

The Union minister also brought down the customs duty on X-ray tubes used in medical X-ray machines

500% increase in long-term capital gains declarations before tax increase

Short-term capital gains declarations had also been increasing after the pandemic

Union Budget 2024: FM Sitharaman announces Rs 26,000 cr aid for Bihar

India Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Centre will support setting up a 2400 MW power project in Bhagalpur at the cost of Rs 21,400 crore as well

Budget 2024: FM cuts basic customs duty on mobile phones, chargers to 15%

Reduction in BCD on these items was a major demand from the electronics manufacturing bodies

Union Budget 2024: Here are the key highlights from FM Sitharaman's speech

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Union Budget 2024 speech focused on increased spending, job creation, and tax reforms

FM's Budget speech more focused on posturing than action, says Congress

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that the government seems to have finally come around to "tacitly admitting that mass unemployment is a national crisis" that requires urgent attention, as it slammed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech as being "more focused on posturing than action". The opposition party's assertion came after Sitharaman in her budget speech announced that the government will launch three employment-linked schemes. These schemes will be based on enrolment in the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Sitharaman said in the Lok Sabha. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "After ten years of denial -- where neither the non-biological PM nor his party's Lok Sabha Elections Manifesto would even mention jobs -- the Union Government seems to have finally come around to tacitly admitting that mass unemployment is a national crisis that requires urgent attention." "It's far too late, and as it turns out, far too ..

FM hikes short & long term capital gains tax, Sensex & Nifty crack

Short-term capital gains tax raised to 20%, long term to 12.5%

Well-focused Budget 2024 with special development thrust: Madan Sabnavis

Union Budget 2024-25 news: There has been some comfort provided to individuals who opt for the new income tax scheme as there is some rationalisation across the slabs

Budget 2024: Govt keeps infra spend target unchanged at record Rs 11.11 trn

The government has doubled spending on infrastructure over the past three years as a way to boost the economy

Budget news: A look at landmark Union Budget announcements in the past

From the introduction of wealth tax to economic liberalisation to privatisation, here is a look back at landmark Union Budgets

Budget 2024: FM Sitharaman, her team spotted with 'Bahi Khata'. WATCH

Budget 2024: Sitharaman in her inaugural Budget presentation in 2019, had introduced the 'Bahi Khata' to carry the Budget documents, replacing the traditional leather briefcase

Budget 2024: When and where to watch Sitharaman's speech; other key details

Union Budget 2024-25 will be the seventh consecutive budget presentation by Sitharaman, a record streak by any finance minister of India, marking a key historical milestone.

FM Sitharaman's record 7th Union Budget presentation: All you need to know

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to make history with her seventh consecutive Union Budget presentation today, laying out Modi 3.0's fiscal plan for the India Budget for FY25

Govts should renounce some powers to help improve governance: Eco Survey

The finance ministry's Economic Survey on Monday suggested that governments renounce some of their powers as it would be good for 'both the governed and the governing'. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2023-24 a day before the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. While contemplating the challenges that lie ahead, one should not be daunted because the social and economic transformation of democratic India is a remarkable success story, the document, authored by a team lead by Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, stated. "We have come a long way. The economy has grown from around USD 288 billion in FY93 (1992-93) to USD 3.6 trillion in FY23," it said. India has generated more growth per dollar of debt than other comparable nations and abject poverty has all but been eliminated. Human development indicators have improved, and more Indians, especially women, are getting educated, the 476-page document said. "However, it would be a missed opportunity --