The former finance minister said that the income tax relief is only for those that have moved to the new regime and data about how many taxpayers switched to it is not available.
Highways sector also saw jump in allocation. Fifty airports, heliports, water aerodromes & advance landing grounds to be revived to improve regional air connectivity.
To aid 'green growth' agenda, Sitharaman announced measures like support for scrapping & replacing old vehicles, battery storage systems & compressed biogas plants.
Capital budget increased to Rs 1.62 lakh crore from 1.52 lakh crore. Navy, Army see substantial increase but allocation for procuring aircraft, aero engines goes down.
In her 1 hour 26 minute-long speech, finance minister mentioned 'infrastructure' about 26 times and both 'digital' & 'green' 21 times. The word 'amrit' appeared 12 times.
Allocation to external affairs ministry for development assistance to foreign countries & projects fell 13% to estimated Rs 5,848.58 crore from Rs 6,750 crore in FY23.
Education Ministry has been allocated Rs 1,12,899.47 cr — up by 8% from last yr — and FM has announced launch of PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 to skill lakhs of youth within next 3 yrs.
In her budget speech, Sitharaman said her govt was committed to bringing down fiscal deficit to 4.5% by 2025-26 and pegged economic growth at 7% in the current fiscal.
The overall allocation to the sector increased from last year’s Rs 1.4 lakh crore. Slew of initiatives like addition of new lines, doubling rail lines announced.
The Prime Minister said that the Union Budget gives priority to the deprived and will fulfill the dreams of the aspirational society, the farmers, and the middle class.
After 17 years in exile, BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman says he wants to return to Bangladesh. His comeback will energise voters desperate for elections.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India president Charanjot Singh Nanda, a stakeholder in govt's plans to promote home-grown consulting firms, speaks on what is holding back domestic firms.
Fresh details of operation conducted by IAF, Army have come out in gazette notification giving citations of those who were awarded Vir Chakra for their bravery.
Education, reservations, govt jobs are meant to bring equality and dignity. That we are a long way from that is evident in the shoe thrown at the CJI and the suicide of Haryana IPS officer. The film Homebound has a lesson too.
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