Catch live streaming and live updates of the Budget at Youth Darpan: Trilok Singh
Live Coverage from the Lok Sabha – Union Budget 2018-19 https://t.co/ty740gs010
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 1, 2018
As per tradition, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley calls on President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan before presenting the Union Budget. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will unveil the Union Budget 2018-19 today, and it will be an indication about the areas which the Modi government is likely to focus on in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Finance Minister will deliver the Budget speech in Lok Sabha today, and Youth Darpan will be streaming it live on its website, along with a live discussion on the Budget before and after the finance minister’s speech.
Jaitley will present the Union Budget for the financial year 2018-19 at 11 am today. Lok Sabha TV, Rajya Sabha TV, DD News and other channels of Doordarshan will host live streaming of the Union Budget 2018-19.
Union Budget 2018 Expectations
The financial year 2017-18 has been a game changer for the Indian economy. With GST replacing the existing flawed VAT regime and demonetization closely following, it was a year of bold steps and reforms. The previous budgets of current government were regarded as unambitious by many experts and the general public. But with aforementioned milestones achieved, budget 2018 is one where expectations of the common man are riding high.
Tax Slab Revision
This is the most desired wish on common man’s list of expectations from the budget. After demonetization, the government added Rs54 lakh new individual taxpayers in 2017 whereas Goods and Services Tax (GST) brought Rs92283 crore to government’s coffers. With widened tax base, low evasion and high tax revenues from direct and indirect taxes, every taxpayer is expecting that the direct tax rates will be lowered and the limit of non-taxable income increased. A recent survey by the citizen and community engagement platform LocalCircles revealed that 31% respondents want an increase in tax exemption limit to Rs3 lakh and 37% want tax slabs to lower the income tax burden.
Loss from House Property
RERA has come as a big relief for home buyers across India. It has tightened norms for builders and brought about measures to cushion aggrieved buyers. But a lot is left to be desired by Income Tax rules and rebates in this regard. The existing limit of loss on house property is Rs2 lakh under section 24 and it can be brought forward only for next eight consecutive years. It is difficult to achieve such profits from a property in the first eight years given that loan installments are very high. The extension of the period or raising the limit from existing Rs2 lakh can benefit many homeowners.
Preconstruction Interest
The preconstruction interest on the home loan can be claimed in 5 equal installments after completion of construction subject to an overall limit of Rs2 lakh under section 24. The government should either provide this deduction separately (and not under section 24) or raise the limit to include the preconstruction interest portion separately under section 24.
Increasing Deduction on Investments
The present limit of Rs1.5 lakh as a deduction under section 80C towards investment in PF, PPF, Insurance, NSC, etc. is inadequate. With FD interests falling at an all-time low and general public turning to alternative investment avenues, raising this limit of the deduction would be a welcome move.
Repealing Dividend Distribution Tax
An increasing number of individuals are now investing in mutual funds and markets. In light of this development, the government should either lower or repeal the Dividend Distribution Tax. This tax is paid by the entity that is distributing dividends, but in many cases where there is an option, they tend to retain dividend to avoid taxes. This finally affects individuals and retail investors.
Tax-Free Medical Reimbursements
Currently, there is a cap of Rs15000 on tax-free medical reimbursements for salaried individuals. The cost of healthcare has posted an increase of 14% from 2014 to 2016 and increasing further. This is why the present tax-free exemption is in urgent need of revision.
Contribution to NPS
The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is aimed at providing a financial cushion to people during their twilight years. However, the deduction allowed towards the contribution to this fund is only Rs1.5 lakh under Section 80CCD (1). In order to give a boost to this scheme and to ensure its success in meeting the intent, the government should consider increasing the limit.
Tax-Free Gratuity
The employees of the formal sector are entitled to Rs10 lakh of tax-free gratuity after 5 or more years of service. There is a wide expectation that this figure would be increased to bring it in line with a tax-free payout of central government employees, which is Rs20 lakh.
#IndiaBudget2018 The Union Finance Minister,Shri @arunjaitley will reply to the questions on General Budget at 7pm tomorow ,1st February, 2018. So Tweet your questions on #AskYourFM pic.twitter.com/WRT7wAFiEm
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) January 31, 2018
Standard Deduction
Before 2006-07, there used to be a concept of the standard deduction for salaried taxpayers. It was meant for sundry expenses that an individual incurs in the course of employment on day to day basis but does not get reimbursed from the employer. Without giving any proof of expense, a fixed amount was allowed as deduction. This provision should be brought back for the benefit of salaried employees who are made to pay taxes on gross salary received.
Reduction of GST rates
There has been a rise in prices of certain products and services after GST was introduced. The general public would like to see cutting down on GST rates on insurance products, education, transportation and such other essential products and services that are used by people of all strata.
The budget 2018 is critical not only for common man but also for the government. It is completing four years in power and with various reforms already undertaken, public now wants some results in the form of easing of tax regimen which is one of the most complex and highest in the world.
UPDATES
Catch live streaming and live updates of the Budget at Youth Darpan: Trilok Singh
Live Coverage from the Lok Sabha – Union Budget 2018-19 https://t.co/ty740gs010
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 1, 2018
From ease of doing business, our government has moved to ease of living for the poor and middle class: FM Jaitley #UnionBudget2018 pic.twitter.com/iVGRUk26rt
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2018
Finance Minister will deliver the Budget speech in Lok Sabha today, and Youth Darpan will be streaming it live on its website, along with a live discussion on the Budget before and after the finance minister’s speech.
UPDATES
9:55 am: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrives in Parliament with the Budget document.
#NewIndiaBudget The Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Shri @arunjaitley giving the final touches to the General Budget 2018-19 along with his Budget Team in his office in North Block in New Delhi today. pic.twitter.com/vuC4wcet6b
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) January 31, 2018
Budget 2018 Live Streaming and Updates: Trilok Singh
9:50 am: Arun Jaitley meets President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan before presenting the Union Budget 2018-19 in the Parliament.
10:17 am: “One of the critical objectives of the government is to increase the tax base,” says Deloitte India’s Tapati Ghose:
10:23 am: PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Parliament ahead of the Budget 2018. The cabinet meeting has begun, after which at 11:00 am, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the year 2018-19
10:26 am: As the union government announces the budget for 2018-2019 today, professionals are hoping for a standard tax deduction, which was first introduced in 1974-75 for salaried employees, allowing them to claim expenses incurred in earning their income.
10:38 am: “Reduction of corporate tax could be the ‘Brahmastra’ this Budget. Anticipate a focussed address to agrarian distress in Budget 2018; expect a strong push to public expenditure in today’s budget,” says Confederation of Indian Industry.
10:58 am: The cabinet has approved the budget and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the year 2018. Jaitley’s fifth Union Budget is arguably his toughest yet as he seeks to address farm distress, create jobs and boost growth while sticking to fiscal prudence and negotiating a tricky GST twist. This Budget is being keenly watched to see what Arun Jaitley does to boost growth in Asia’s third-largest economy.
11:00 am: Here’s the Budget team of CBDT with Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Sh. Arun Jaitley along with MOS(Finance) Sh. SP Shukla & MOS (Finance & Shipping) Sh. Pon Radhakrishnan & Finance Secretary Dr Hansmukh Adhia:
Here’s the Budget team of CBDT with Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Sh. Arun Jaitley alongwith MOS(Finance) Sh. SP Shukla & MOS(Finance & Shipping) Sh. Pon Radhakrishnan & Finance Secretary Dr. Hansmukh Adhia at North Block, New Delhi on the eve of Budget. pic.twitter.com/pPGCsgm1dB
— Income Tax India (@IncomeTaxIndia) January 31, 2018
11:10 am: “When our government took over, our nation was considered a part of the fragile five. We have transformed the nation into the fastest growing economy in the world. We are a $2.5 Trillion economy. As a result of measures taken by the government, there is a premium on honesty. India achieved an average growth of 7.5% growth in the last 3 years. We are the third-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity and seventh largest economy in the world in terms of growth. Manufacturing sector is back on track and services sector, which is India’s backbone, is performing well. This year’s budget will particularly concentrate on agriculture and rural economy. We will also focus on promoting education and healthcare,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Added, Mainstream.
11:16 am: “Ujjawala yojana has provided crores of free LPG, Saubhagya Yojana has provided power to 4 crore families. Awas Yojana has worked towards providing interest rate relief to mid-level sections. We have worked sincerely without political costs. Direct Benefit Transfer is a global success story. We have controlled stent prices and there has been a production-centric thrust by the government. We have also provided free dialysis facilities for the poor,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
11:21 am: Bamboo is a golden resources, India. Says Arun Jaitley.
11:22 am: “Agricultural corpus worth Rs 2000 crore will be set up. 470 APMCs have been connected to eNAM network, the rest to be connected by March 2018. Allocation for food processing has been doubled from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1400 crore. Allocation is being doubled to boost food processing; specialized agro-processing and financial institutions to be promoted by the Government. Cluster-model approach to be adopted for agricultural production,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
11:26 am: Government are aware about poverty and environment solutions, says Finance Minister today.
11:29 am: Agriculture ministry will promote cluster-based development among agri-communities and regions. Further, 470 APMCs have been connected to eNAM network, the rest to be connected by March 2018. Says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
11:33 am: The government will extend a favourable tax arrangement for farmer organisations. The details will be provided later,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. He has ended his section on agriculture, it was about 20 minutes-long. The markets have reacted positively with Sensex close to 36,130 at 11 am as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley began his Budget 2018 speech, NSE Nifty is close to 11,100.
11:37 am: “In order to tackle the problem of pollution due to burning of crop residue, the subsidy is being removed. The government will work to subsidize the cost of machinery to be procured for combating rising air pollution levels by government of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab for in situ management of the problem. On the other hand, Ujjawala Yojana target is being extended to 8 crore women living below the poverty line. It was earlier at 5 crore. The women will receive a free gas connection. Swachh Bharat has constructed more than 6 crore toilets. 2 crore more toilets is the target in the next two years,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
11:42 am: “Rs 14.34 lakh crore rupees to be spent for rural infrastructure. The allocation for National Livelihood Mission is being increased to Rs 5000 crore. Loans to women self-help groups of women to be increased to 75,000 cr by March 19. Focus of the govt next year will be to provide better livelihood in the rural areas. We now propose to treat education holistically with integration from Class 2 to Class 12. Digital intensity in education will be increased. We will take education from blackboards to digital boards. There will be integrated BEd program to start soon. With teachers training as the main focus,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
12:25 pm: “The salaries of President, vice president and Governors will be increased. RS 5 lakh for President, Rs 4.5 lakh for VP and Rs 3.5 lakh for governors. Salaries of Members of Parliament will also be raised. A new law will be introduced that will automatically revise MPs’ emoluments every five years, indexed to inflation,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
12:29 pm: Finance Minister places on record the government’s appreciation of the service provided by the Armed Forces. The government will set up two industrial defence industrial development corridors in 2018-19. It will bring out an industry-friendly defence production policy. The FM did not give details of the Budget allocations for the armed forces.
12:33 pm: “100% tax deduction for the first five years to companies registered as farmer producer companies with a turnover of Rs 100 crore and above. 12.6% growth in direct taxes in 2017-18; 18.7% growth in indirect taxes in 2017-18. Employment-based tax incentives will be extended to footwear and leather industry. Be incentivising MSMEs, we propose to extend the benefits of corporate tax by bringing down the tax rate to 25% for firms that reported turnover up to Rs 250 crore,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
12:37 pm: Government dashes middle-class hopes and salaried taxpayers as there have been no changes in personal Income Tax slabs. Standard deduction of Rs 40,000 with respect to transport reimbursements. For senior citizens, there will be no tax on income earned through interest in tax deposits.
12:41 pm: India moving towards optimum electrification of railway. Over 3,600 km of track renewal is being targeted in 2018-19. Railway Capital Expenditure is set at Rs. 1.48 lakh crore. More than 4,200 unmanned level crossings to be eliminated in two years. All stations and trains to have WiFi. Rs 17,000 crore allocated for Bengaluru Metro. Rs. 11,000 crore allocated for Mumbai rail network.
12:43 pm: Relief on tax for senior citizens from income coming from bank interest increased from 10,000 to 30,000. Fixed Deposit/Post office interest to be exempt till Rs 50,000 80D benefit enhanced to Rs 50,000 (from 30,000).
12:47pm: “Long-term capital gains taxed from listed equities exceeding one lakh at 10 percent. Short-term capital gains taxed at 15 percent to continue for a one-year hold period,” says Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
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