New Delhi, Feb 3: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in an exclusive interview with Zee Business explained the logic behind the different proposals announced in Budget 2018 that was presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. He spoke on a range of issues from fiscal deficit to relief to farmers and even the aam aadmi of India.
According to Jaitley his fifth budget was different than the previous ones and aimed at consolidation of the economy. “The budget kept the poor in mind and we have come up with a comprehensive healthcare programme for the common people,” he said. (Also Read: Have Given Several Benefits to Salaried Class, Says Arun Jaitley)
Calling the salaried class honest taxpayers, Jaitley said the standard deduction of Rs 40,000 for them in place of the current transport allowance and medical expense reimbursement will benefit 2.5 crore taxpayers and will cost the exchequer Rs 8,000 crore.
The Finance Minister also pointed out that Rs 4,000 crore has been allocated in the schemes to give tax exemptions and other benefits to senior.
He explained various schemes and allocation for social welfare, saying that Rs 55,000 crore has been allocated for MNREGA. He assured that inflation will not rise as a result of the proposed hike in Minimum Support Price (MSP).