Policy
Scheme unveiled to help 500k MSMEs join ONDC
Ministry's initiatives focus on empowering MSMEs, especially micro-enterprises, through various schemes, including Khadi brand rejuvenation and interest subventions. Rajneesh, the development commissioner, highlights the importance of these initiatives for the growth and development of small businesses.
Sharpen focus on education and health this Budget, experts urge FM
Although the pandemic is behind us, the focus on the health sector shouldn't be diluted, he added. There were also suggestions to tightly monitor the implementation of all such social sector schemes, he added. Facilities at schools and hospitals need to be further improved and vacancies filled up on time, some of them said in the meeting. In the interim Budget for FY25 in February, the government had pegged the outlay for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at ₹90,659 crore, up marginally from the FY24 budget estimate of ₹89,155 crore. This outlay also includes spending on health research.
Red Budget Bag: A British link to the colour of the Budget bag and briefcase
In 2019, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attempted to break away from British traditions by ditching the briefcase containing Budget documents that was historically brought in by other FMs. Before her first Budget speech, she posed with a red bahi khata with a national emblem. This has continued till date, with Sitharaman now presenting the Budget from her tablet instead of reading out from papers.
RBI announces SAARC currency swap framework for 2024-27
The Reserve Bank of India introduces revised currency swap frameworks for SAARC nations, providing INR, USD, and EUR support. The facilities offer backstop funding, short-term liquidity assistance, and access to member countries upon signing agreements.
India to enter into bilateral Rupee swap agreements with SAARC countries: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India, in collaboration with the Indian government, has unveiled a revised framework on currency swap arrangements with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries for the period spanning 2024 to 2027.SAARC comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
GST suppliers giving post-sale discount have to take undertaking from clients: CBIC
In a separate circular, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) clarified that ITC is available to insurance companies in respect of motor vehicle repair expenses incurred by them in case of reimbursement mode of claim settlement.
ESOPs exempt from GST, barring where foreign companies charge additional amount
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) clarified that multinational companies offering Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs), Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs), or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) without additional charges will not attract GST. This decision benefits tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Walmart, alleviating tax litigation concerns
Budget 2024 will see many historic economic policies, will be a futuristic one: President Murmu at Parliament
In her address to Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu announced that the upcoming Union Budget will introduce historic economic policies and reforms at an accelerated pace. Highlighting India's contribution of 15% to the global economy, she emphasized that this budget will reflect the government's long-term policies and futuristic vision. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present this Union Budget in July 2024.
Make in India, the next season India planning a Budget day release
India has launched several initiatives to attract investments to the country, presenting itself as an alternative manufacturing destination to companies seeking a China+1 supply chain shift. The IT hardware and mobile phone programmes have seen success. The Centre is hopeful of a similar shift in other sectors as well and there is a view that PLI plus a lower corporate tax rate will offer investors a competitive return on investment.
Budget 2024: Three types of Budgets in India and their meanings
A government budget is an annual financial document outlining projected government revenues and outlays for the next fiscal year. There are three types of budgets: balanced, surplus, and deficit, based on how accurate these projections are. The three distinct budget kinds are discussed below.
Budget should double standard deduction, raise basic exemption to Rs 3.5 lakh under new tax regime: EY
EY recommends significant tax reforms in the upcoming Budget, urging the government to double the standard deduction under the new concessional tax regime to Rs 1 lakh or increase the basic exemption limit to Rs 3.5 lakh. Key suggestions include maintaining corporate tax stability, rationalizing TDS provisions, and improving dispute resolution mechanisms.
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Budget 2024: Govt may adjust income criteria for housing aid in urban areas
The government is preparing to revise the income criteria for middle-income groups (MIGs) to qualify for assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) [PMAY(U)]. This change, expected to be included in the 2024-25 budget, aims to better target the housing scheme in urban areas.
What Indian industry wants from Modi's budget after poll setback
The upcoming budget aims to boost consumption, support farmers, create jobs, and reform tax systems. It focuses on tax cuts, lifting export restrictions, job creation incentives, and simplifying tax regimes like capital gains and GST for a stronger economic outlook.
Budget 2024: Skilling industry demands incentives, tax rebates and labour codes in meeting with FM Sitharaman
Ahead of the Union Budget for 2024-25, the Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs held the eighth Pre-Budget Consultation in New Delhi, focusing on employment and skill development. Key figures like Anshuman Magazine and Suchita Dutta emphasized the need for skilled workers and job readiness among graduates. Discussions also highlighted incentives for skill improvement and formal employment practices, including lowering GST rates for employment services. There were calls for greater inclusion of women in the workforce and the expansion of social security measures. Startups advocated for foreign language education to tap into global job markets.
Makeover likely to give faceless I-T assessment a friendlier face
"It is being reviewed to assess effectiveness," said an official, adding that there is a line of thinking that it should be made optional for taxpayers. Another official said the idea is to address challenges in its implementation to ease compliance further for taxpayers. A final call will be taken shortly, the official said. The scheme was introduced on April 1, 2021, to reduce the human interface in tax disputes and assessments.
Finmin reviews financial inclusion schemes in meeting with banks, FI CEOs
Banks were urged to improve customer experience in banking services by focusing on initiatives like CKYC, Jan Samarth portal, and Aadhar seeding. The meeting acknowledged progress in social security and financial inclusion through government schemes, emphasizing the importance of reaching the last mile for stronger initiatives.
