Page 177 - Social Issues
Plea in SC against interim Budget
Within hours of the interim Budget being presented in Parliament Friday, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking that it be quash on the alleged ground that there is no Constitutional provision for an interim Budget. The petition, filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, submitted that under the Constitution, there is only provision for presenting a full annual Budget and vote-on-account. A vote-on-account is an approval taken in an election year for a limited period for government spending; a full-fledged budget is presented later by the newly elected government. The interim Budget was presented in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal proposing an array of incentives for both middle class and farmers. The 2019 Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to take place within a few months. In December last year, the top court had imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 on Sharma for filing a public interest litigation against the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over an issue related to .
Unorganized sector hails Centre's monthly pension scheme
Soon after the Central government announced a scheme to provide an assured pension of Rs 3,000 per month for workers in the unorganized sector, several labourers living in the national capital hailed the scheme.
Trade unions voice spilt opinions on budget; AITUC slams it, while BMS hails
Trade unions Friday voiced split opinions on the interim budget 2019-20; while the AITUC slammed the budget, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) hailed it. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Friday slammed the interim budget 2019-20, saying majority of the people falling under unorganised sector will be left out of the pension scheme. However, RSS-affiliate trade union BMS hailed the budget as those earning up to Rs 5 lakh per year have been exempted from tax. "It is a great relief to the salaried employees who constitute the major part of the middle class and is most welcome," said Saji Narayanan, National President, BMS. AITUC said, the BJP-led NDA government is making a cruel joke and has once again attempted to throw "jumlas" on the face of the people of India through the interim budget. "The announcements made are with forthcoming elections in mind, just throwing statistics without any basis," AITUC said. Those covered under EPF in India should be around 10 crore workers ...
Opp terms Budget 'jumla'; BJP-led states say it's 'pro-poor, pro-farmer'
Alliance partners SP and BSP Friday termed the Budget presented by the BJP-led government 'jumlebazi', or empty rhetoric to befool people. Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati claimed that economic disparities had grown during the last five years with only a handful of capitalists benefiting, instead of farmers and the poor. "This is wrong and against the interest of the country," she said in a statement. "Jumlebazi cannot change the destiny of the country and end longstanding problems like poverty, unemployment and inflation," she said. She asked people not fall prey to BJP efforts to "divert attention from its failures by inciting religious sentiments". Akhilesh Yadav, whose Samajwadi Party is in alliance with the BSP in Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha polls, also accused the government of trying to mislead people. "The BJP government is only worried about votes and not the people. In its regime, it broke the backbone of the people with demonetisation and the Goods and Services ...
'Budget on expected lines for an election year'
: The budget presented by Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal was along expected lines for an election year, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Telangana chairman Sanjay Singh said Friday. "This being an election year, the Budget was on expected lines. It is a Peoples Budget. It will go a long way in providing relief to distressed farmers and the middle income group," he said. Simplified procedures will help improve tax collections, Singh said. He said that the defence Budget hike would help in making the country stronger "Keeping Vision 2030 in mind, the Budget is a positive step towards the growth and development of the country,Singh added. B V R Mohan Reddy, former chairman of NASSCOM, said the budget places a lot of emphasis on technology adoption and penetration - One Lakh Digital Villages, electronic tax return assessment, digitization for customs transactions and support to CSCs to render digital services are welcome initiatives. "However, the government missed
First time, budget allocation for MHA exceeds 1 lakh crore
The Union Home Ministry has been allocated Rs 103,927 crore -- the highest so far -- in the Interim Budget 2019 presented in the Lok Sabha on Friday, which is Rs 10,477 crore more than the last budget.
Income tax rebate of Rs 12500 to those who earn up to Rs 5 L from April 1: CBDT Chairman
The income tax department will give a "straight rebate" of Rs 12,500 to people having an annual income of Rs 5 lakh from the beginning of next fiscal, thus making their tax liability zero, CBDT Chairman Sushil Chandra said Friday, explaining the proposal made in the Union Budget for 2019-20. For people earning more than Rs 5 lakh annually, the "old" tax rates will continue. However, people having taxable income of Rs 6.5 lakh per annum too can avail "tax rebate" provided they invest Rs 1.5 lakh in specified investments such as PPF, General Provident Fund (GPF) and insurances, he said. Explaining the nuances of the proposals announced by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in his interim budget speech, Chandra said, "This (zero income tax) rebate is only for persons whose taxable income is Rs 5 lakh. If the return filed or taxable income is Rs 5 lakh, then their tax liability will be nil because we will be giving a rebate of the total tax which is due on Rs 5 lakh of taxable income." "As per
Rupani gives '10 out of 10' to budget, slams Congress
Welcoming the interim Budget presented in the Lok Sabha on Friday by the BJP government at the Centre, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said it has built a strong foundation for a new India. Giving the budget '10 out of 10', Rupani slammed the Congress saying the budgetary provisions made by the Narendra Modi government has left the opposition party "speechless". "I welcome this interim budget and express my gratitude towards the prime minister and his cabinet colleagues on behalf of the people of Gujarat. This budget has offered relief to each section of the society, be it farmers, women, youths or tax payers," Rupani told reporters. "This budget has built a strong foundation for a new India. By introducing many new pro-people schemes, the BJP government at the Centre has kept in mind the nation's interests in the election year," he said. Commenting on the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rupani said it would help over 36 lakh small and marginal farmers in ..
"Disappointed" with interim Union budget: Patnaik
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday expressed "disappointment" over the interim Union Budget and said he would give it only 2.5 marks out of 10. He, however welcomed the tax benefits for middle class and benefits to farmers announced in the budget. Patnaik claimed the state will be hit with a short fall of Rs 26,342 crore in actual receipt of allocations in regard to the 14th Finance Commission recommendations. Stating that he welcomes the tax benefits planned for middle and lower income groups, Patnaik said he too welcome the direct benefit transfer proposed for small and marginal farmers on the line of Odisha's KALIA scheme. "However, it would have benefited the farmers more if the quantum of assistance is equal or more than our KALIA scheme which is Rs 10,000 per year," Patnaik said adding that there is nothing for landless poor, share croppers and farmers in distress. Odisha government in December last year has launched the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood ..
Less than 2 per cent hike in budgetary allocation for Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry
The 2019-2020 budgetary allocation for the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, which caters to the welfare of the backward classes and those with disabilities, saw less than two per cent hike compared to the current fiscal. Funds allocated for the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment for upcoming financial year saw a mere rise of 0.6 per cent, Rs 7,800 crore from Rs 7,750 crore in 2018-19. The allocation for the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities saw an increase of 7 per cent, from Rs 1,070 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 1,144.90 crore in 2019-20. The government, in a statement, said, "The allocation of Rs 56,619 crore made in budget estimates (BE) of 2018-19 for scheduled caste, further increased to Rs 62,474 crore in revised estimates (RE) is proposed to be enhanced to Rs 76,801 crore in BE for 2019-20, an increase of 35.6 per cent over BE of 2018-19." Finance Minister Piyush Goyal said a Welfare Development Board to frame special strategies for the benefit .
JNU to effect 25-pc increase in seats from 2019-20 session
The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration Friday said it would effect a 25-per cent increase in seats in the academic session 2019-20. The Human Resource Development Ministry has said it will implement 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections of the general category from the 2019 academic session and has directed to increase around 25 per cent seats in higher educational institutions and universities across the country. The JNU administration received a communication from the University Grants Commission on January 25 regarding 'Reservation for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) for admission in Central Educational Institutions', requesting the university to furnish relevant information on infrastructure and other requirements before January 31, the varsity said. The vice-chancellor, rectors and the director of admissions held a detailed meeting with the deans of schools and chairpersons of the special centres on January 28 to discuss the steps for implementation ..
Union budget evokes mixed response from Gulf business leaders
Business leaders in the UAE gave mixed reaction to the interim budget on Friday as some welcomed it, saying it showcased the achievements of the government while others criticised it as an "election budget" with no word on job creation and nothing for the NRIs to excite them to invest back home. Sudesh Aggarwal, Chairman India Trade and Exhibition Centre M.E and Chairman Giant Group, said that the farmer income support scheme and increase in taxable income slab is to garner votes in the election year. "The vision to increase GDP to USD 5 trillion in 5 years and to USD 10 trillion in 8 years is dream only as it will require an annual GDP growth of 15 per cent in first 5 years and then 25 per cent in next 3 years which is not possible, he said. He said there were also no word on jobs creation. It is double sword budget, may be they win with dreams shown, otherwise leave a legacy for the incumbent government to fight, said Aggarwal. Sripriyaa Kumaria, Director General of ITEC M.E and ...
Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Congress slam budget
Hitting out at the BJP-led NDA government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy asked if the budget presented on Friday was prepared by the finance department or at the RSS headquarters. Kumaraswamy termed the newly announced 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi' as Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's "cotton candy" to the distress hit farming community. He said the "election budget" lacked clarity and need not be taken seriously as the new government that will come in after the election may present a fresh budget. "If this budget is implemented, if at all they (BJP) come back to power again and form the government, under this scheme 59 lakh farmers of our state will get Rs 3,578 crore in one year," Kumaraswamy told reporters here. "Our government in the state is waiving Rs 48,000 crore farm loan, it will cover 44 lakh farmer families," he added. Kumaraswamy recalled how Modi had earlier described the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government's farm loan waiver scheme as a ...
Interim Budget beneficial for every section of society: Amit Shah
Hailing the Interim Budget 2019-20 presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha, BJP president Amit Shah on Friday said the Budget has met the expectations of every section of society, including farmers, labourers and the middle class.
Mumbai: Union Budget evokes mixed response
The interim Union Budget presented on Friday evoked a mixed response in Mumbai, with some citizens calling it historic, while few others saying it was "disappointing" and meant to appease voters keeping upcoming elections in mind. Finance Minister Piyush Goyal Friday presented the budget in the Lok Sabha. Among other things, the budget proposed to double the threshold tax exemption limit to Rs 5 lakh and increased the standard deduction to Rs 50,000 from Rs 40,000. City-based chartered accountant Nagesh Dubey welcomed the budget saying its provisions will bring "achhe din". "Steps taken for medical assistance to masses, education to all and cleanliness as revolution will surely improve the living standard. Tax relief to middle class and salaried class, emphasis on getting income tax returns processed within 24 hours are welcome steps that will bring 'achhe din' for the tax payers," he said. Retired railway officer O P Sharma said senior citizens would benefit from the ..
BJP takes out rally in Assam to protest attack on leader
The BJP took out a rally in Guwahati on Friday to protest against Wednesday's attack on its Tinsukia district president Lakheswar Moran and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, demanding action against the guilty. Earlier, BJP state unit president Ranjit Kumar Dass had threatened to retaliate for the attack on Moran, while addressing a public meeting. "None would be spared if lakhs of my party members come out in protest against the incident," he had said. Around 11am on Friday, the members of the saffron party's 39 district organisations, along with the Guwahati unit, marched from their northeast office in the city to the Kamrup (Metro) district deputy commissioner's office to submit the memorandum to Sonowal. In the memorandum, signed by BJP's Guwahati district president Bichitra Kalita, the party demanded stern action against all those who attacked Moran in Tinsukia. The memorandum wanted the police administration to take measures so that such .
Budget has taken care of all sectors, will create New India: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the interim Budget will empower the poor, the middle class, farmers, labourers, and traders besides imparting speed to economy and infrastructure for creation of 'New India'.
People's Budget, say CII, FICCI
Industry bodies on Friday welcomed the Union Interim Budget for 2019-20 and called it a people's budget which will help the economy to grow."A lot has been done for farmers and middle-class people," said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)."The implications of this would be very strong in creating the consumption that the economy needs. It is people budget that will help the economy to grow," he said.The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) said the Budget will benefit at least 15 crore people, including 12 crore farmers and 3 crore salaried class.It said the Interim Budget provides support to the 95 per cent of workers in the unorganised sector who were left to fend for themselves. The government has proposed to launch a mega pension scheme called Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan for the unorganised sector workers with monthly income upto Rs 15,000. "The labour in the organised sector which actually may not be
Budget progressive, gives bigger picture of India's development growth: Amitabh Kant
Terming the interim budget as progressive and positive, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Friday said the government's "pathbreaking" budget has provided a narrative of India's continued development growth.Kant underlined that the interim budget presented by Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha, has provided relief to the middle-class people, the farming community and the unorganised sectors, which will be beneficial for everyone in the long-run."The budget is for the middle class and farming community. This is also India's budget. The unorganised sectors have been covered and middle- class has got relief from taxation. The biggest structural reform is that we moved away from farm loan waivers and gave direct benefit transfers (DBT) to the farmers," Kant told ANI.Lauding the steps taken by the central government to give relief to the farmers, the NITI Aayog CEO stressed that a reduction by 5 per cent of interest rates will benefit the agricultural community in the ...
Premature to say social media use leads to depression: Study
Use of social media does not necessarily cause depressive symptoms later in adolescents and young adults, according to a recent research.
