Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Modi government today (February 1) presented the Interim Budget in the Parliament. The budget was presented by acting Finance Minister Piyush Goyal as the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is currently in the US for his medical check-up. The session started with Goyal wishing Arun Jaitley a speedy recovery. The nearly 100-minute presentation began amidst uproar with opposition members shouting slogans and a spirited reaction from Treasury benches regularly thumping their desks.
Tax Exemption (PTI)
- In a major relief, Interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal 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.
- Unveiling the budget proposals for 2019-20, Goyal said that the proposal will benefit 3 crore, middle-class taxpayers.
- Doubling the threshold exemption limit will increase the burden on the exchequer by Rs 18,500 crore.
- If an individual invests in the specified tax saving schemes of the government, the effective tax-free income limit will be Rs 6.5 lakh a year, while it may go further up with additional avenues like NPS, medical insurance and home loan interest payment.
Tax Deduction at Source (TDS)
- Finance Minister Piyush Goyal Friday proposed to increase the limit for tax deduction at source (TDS) on interest income from Rs 10,000 to Rs 40,000 per annum.
Start-ups
- India is the 2nd largest hub for start-ups now and in a bid to strengthen the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector in India, Piyush Goyal announced that the government will soon launch a National Artificial Intelligence Portal.
- He further added that the nine priority areas have been identified for the development of the AI sector in the country.
- Sensing the immense opportunity ahead, nearly 200 AI start-ups in India are today innovating and creating AI-based solutions for various industries.
Housing
- No tax on notional rent for the second self-occupied home.
Digitalisation
- The government plans to create 1,00,000 digital villages in 5 years.
Transport
- Acting Finance Minister Piyush Goyal also announced that electric vehicles are key parts of government’s vision for 2030.
- He said that India would lead the world in the transportation sector, with electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage devices set to play a leading role in the segment. Next-generation infrastructure for rail, sea, urban transport, inland waterways will be developed.
Pension
- Presenting the interim budget Piyush Goyal said the Mega Pension Yojana – ‘Pardhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan (PMSYM)’ – will benefit 10 crore workers in the unorganised sector, under which Rs 3,000 per month will be assured for workers in the unorganised sector employees after 60 years of age.
- The pensioners will have to contribute Rs 100 per month.
- The new pension plan is for workers earning below Rs 15,000 per month.
With inputs from agencies.