Interim Budget 2019 rides high on elections

Income transfer scheme for farmers to cost Rs 75,000 crore

GN Bureau | February 1, 2019


#finance minister   #Piyush Goyal   #budget 2019   #interim budget   #budget   #Narendra Modi  
Union minister for railways, coal, finance and corporate affairs, Piyush Goyal on way to present the Interim Budget 2019-20
Union minister for railways, coal, finance and corporate affairs, Piyush Goyal on way to present the Interim Budget 2019-20

The interim budget for 2019-20, presented by the interim finance minister Piyush Goyal, is predictably focused on the coming elections. From agriculture to defence, and pleasing the middle class, the budget aims to keep everyone happy. 

 
Here are some key highlights:
 
  • PM Kisaan Samman Nidhi package has been announced for farmers, under which Rs 75,000 crore has been allocated. The money will go directly to the farmers' account. Farmers owning land less than two hectares will receive Rs 6,000 per year as direct cash transfer. The first instalment will be disbursed before the elections.
  • Defence budget enhanced beyond Rs 3 lakh crore.
  • Cheer for the middle class: Full tax rebate for those with income upto Rs 5 lakh a year. Individuals with gross income up to 6.5 lakh rupees will not need to pay any tax if they make investments in provident funds and prescribed equities.
  • A pension scheme has been announced for the workers in the unorganised sector with a monthly income of up to Rs 15,000. An assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 will be given after they retire at 60.
  • More than 8 crore free LPG connections to be given.
  • Increased allocation for Rashtriya Gokul Mission to 750 crore in the current year for protection of cows.
  • Direct tax collections from 6.38 lakh crore rupees in 2013-14 to almost 12 lakh crore rupees; tax base up from 3.79 crore to 6.85 crore

Comments

 

Other News

75 visitors from abroad watch world’s largest elections unfold

As a beacon of electoral integrity and transparency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) exemplifies its commitment to conduct general elections of the highest standards, offering a golden bridge for global Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to witness democratic excellence first-hand. It continues foste

‘Oral cancer deaths in India cause productivity loss of 0.18% GDP’

A first-of-its-kind study on the economic loss due to premature death from oral cancer in India by the Tata Memorial Centre has found that this form of cancer has a premature mortality rate of 75.6% (34 premature events / 45 total events) resulting in productivity loss of approximately $5.6 billion in 2022

Days of Reading: Upendra Baxi recalls works that shaped his youth

Of Law and Life Upendra Baxi in Conversation with Arvind Narrain, Lawrence Liang, Sitharamam Kakarala, and Sruti Chaganti Orient BlackSwan, Rs 2,310

Voting by tribal communities blossoms as ECI’s efforts bear fruit

The efforts made by the Election Commission of India (ECI), over last two years, for inclusion of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) communities and other tribal groups in the electoral process have borne fruit with scenes of tribal groups in various states/UTs participating enthusiastically in t

GST revenue for April 2024 at a new high

The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections hit a record high in April 2024 at ₹2.10 lakh crore. This represents a significant 12.4% year-on-year growth, driven by a strong increase in domestic transactions (up 13.4%) and imports (up 8.3%). After accounting for refunds, the net GST

First Magahi novel presents a glimpse of Bihar bureaucracy a century ago

Fool Bahadur By Jayanath Pati (Translated by Abhay K.) Penguin Modern Classics, 112 pages, Rs 250 “Bab

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now


Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter