Union Budget 2021: Poll-bound states focus of budget
Budget 2021 live updates: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Speech Today Live, Union Budget 2021-22 Highlights: Get live updates of union Budget 2021 along with highlights & budget 2021-22 analysis on Apn News
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday presented the Union Budget 2021-22 in Parliament on Monday. She announced changes in the taxation process, exempting senior citizens above age 75 from filing income tax returns. She also announced new rules for removal of double taxation for NRIs, and a reduction in the time period of tax assessments among other measures. She announced Aatmnirbhar packages totalling Rs 27.1 lakh crore to fight the Covid pandemic in her budget speech. She allotted Rs. 35,000 crore for Covid-19 vaccine.
While presenting the Budget, Sitharaman said the budget for 2021-22 rests on six pillars – health and well-being, physical and financial capital and infrastructure, inclusive development for aspirational India, reinvigorating human capital, innovation & R&D, Minimum Govt and Maximum Governance. The Finance Minister had assured that the 2021-22 budget will be a Budget like never before.
Sitharaman said government is committed to welfare of farmers. She said MSP has gone through a sea change. Over Rs 75,000 crore have paid to wheat farmers in 2020-21 and 43.36 lakh farmers have benefited from this. The finance minister announced to hike the FDI limit in Insurance from 49% to 74%.
The FM Sitharaman allotted announced 11,000 km of national highway infrastructure this year specifically in three states which are set to contest elections later this year. Over Rs 1 lakh crore have been allocated to Tamil Nadu, Rs 65,000 crore for National Highways in Kerala and Rs 95,000 crore for road projects in West Bengal.
The Finance Ministry’s Economic Survey projected that India’s GDP will record 11 percent growth in 2021-22. The nominal GDP growth has been estimated at 15.4 percent, implying an assumption of 4.4 per cent inflation during the year. This year’s budget is unique as it is paperless. The finance minister used a tablet computer to deliver a paperless Budget address.
The Aam Aadmi party took a dig at Modi government in its tweet after the Finance Minister presented the Budget in Lok Sabha. This is what the AAP tweeted.
Sensex rose by 1420.03 points, currently at 47,705.80. Nifty up by 362.70 points, currently at 13,997.30
No change in income tax slabs
Income tax slabs will remain the same, announced FM in her budget speech. To further ease filing of IT returns, details of capital gains and interest from banks, post offices, etc will be pre-filled.
Government to borrow Rs 80,000 crore in a bid to meet FY21 expenditure
Centre will borrow Rs 80,000 crore in remaining two months to meet FY21 expenditure.
Fiscal deficit in 2020-21 pegged at 9.5% of GDP. We would need another Rs 80,000 crores for which we would be approaching the market in these two months: FM Nirmala Sitharaman #UnionBudget2021pic.twitter.com/vXAjcIvyYp
Nirmala Sitharaman says no IT returns for those above 75
Those above 75 years of age will not have to file I-T returns.
The government has launched one nation, one ration card scheme through which beneficiaries can claim their rations anywhere in the country. The scheme is under implementation by 32 states & Union Territories.
We have launched one nation, one ration card scheme through which beneficiaries can claim their rations anywhere in the country. Migrant workers in particular benefit from scheme. One nation, One ration card plan is under implementation by 32 states & UTs: FM Nirmala Sithraman. pic.twitter.com/bbyS5KmcWn
Government committed to welfare of farmers, says FM
Amid the ongoing farmers’s protest against the centre’s three farm laws, Sitharaman says government is committed to welfare of farmers. She said MSP has gone through a sea change. Over Rs 75,000 crore have paid to wheat farmers in 2020-21 and 43.36 lakh farmers have benefited from this.
In 2021-22 the government will also bring the IPO of LIC for which the FM is bringing the requisite amendments in this session itself. The FM announced government’s plan to sell part of its holding in Life Insurance Corporation of India this year through initial public offering.
FM infuses Rs 20,000 crore for public sector banks
FM announces further infusion of Rs 20,000 crore for public sector banks
The FM Sitharaman increases FDI limit in insurance to 74 percent
The finance minister announced to hike the FDI limit in Insurance from 49% to 74%. She however said that majority directors on board and Key management personnels will be Indians.
The pneumococcal vaccine to be rolled out across the country. This will avert more than 50,000 child deaths annually, says FM.
The pneumococcal vaccine, limited to only 5 states at present, to be rolled out across the country. This will avert more than 50,000 child deaths annually: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman #UnionBudgetpic.twitter.com/S4Eohm8fQa
Rs 18,000 crore for public buses, says FM Sitharaman
The government announces a budget of Rs 18,000 crore for public buses.
FM announces Rs 1.10 lakh crore outlay for railways
The centre to provide Rs 1.10 lakh crore outlay for railways, of which Rs 1.7 lakh crore is for capital expenditure.
The Finance minister allocates Rs 64,180 crore for healthcare sector
The government has announced a new central healthcare scheme to strengthen the country’s healthcare infrastructure over the next 6 years. The Pradhan Mantri Atma Nirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana has been allocated around Rs 64,180 crore.
Government aims to complete 11,000 km of national highway infrastructure this year: FM Sitharaman
3,500 km corridor in Tamil Nadu, 1,100 km in Kerala at investment of Rs 65,000 cr, 675 km in West Bengal at a cost of Rs 95,000 cr, 1,300 km in Assam in the next 3 years
Sitharaman introduces Voluntary scrapping policy for vehicles
All private vehicles beyond 20 years and commercial vehicles older than 15 years old will have to undergo fitness test.
Sitharaman announces 35 thousand crores for Covid-19 vaccine.
FM Sitharaman announces Rs 95,000 crore for roads development in Bengal.
Government to launch Mission Poshan 2.0; Jal Jeevan Mission Urban will be launched. “The Urban Swachh Bharat scheme will be implemented with an outlay of over Rs 1.4 lakh crore,” she said.
Sitharaman said today India has 2 #COVID19 vaccines available and has begun safeguarding not only its own citizens but also those of 100 or more countries.
Today India has 2 vaccines available and has begun safeguarding not only her own citizens against #COVID19 but also those of 100 or more countries. It has added comfort to know that 2 ore more vaccines are also expected soon: FM Nirmala Sitharaman#UnionBudget2021pic.twitter.com/OhhgjDQDKq
The preparation of this Budget was undertaken in circumstances like never before, in view of calamities that have affected a country or a region within a country. But what we have endured with COVID-19 to 2020 is Sui generis, says finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Congress leaders reach Parliament in black gowns.
Congress MPs Jasbir Singh Gill and Gurjeet Singh Aujla wear a black gown to the Parliament to protest against the three farm laws, that have sparked a widespread agitation by farmers.
Delhi: Congress MPs Jasbir Singh Gill and Gurjeet Singh Aujla wear a black gown to the Parliament, as a mark of their protest against the three #FarmLawspic.twitter.com/OjzM22zOCW
The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS Finance & Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, met President Ram Nath Kovind before presenting the budget 2021-22.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MoS Finance & Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur and senior officials of the Ministry of Finance, called on President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan before presenting the #UnionBudget 2021-22.
At the start of the joint session of Parliament on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had already announced 3-4 mini budgets and that the 2021-22 Budget should be seen as an extension of the same effort.
Congress chief Kharge extends Republic Day greetings, slams Modi govt, says secularism being targeted by Goebbelsian propaganda
He claimed that minorities are being systematically targeted, and those advocating for secularism are subjected to what he termed “Goebbelsian propaganda,” a reference to Nazi Germany’s manipulative propaganda techniques. He further asserted that weaker sections of society – Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, the poor, and minorities – are treated as second-class citizens.
On India’s 76th Republic Day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge delivered a message that was as much a celebration of the Constitution’s 75th anniversary as it was a scathing critique of the current political climate.
He began by honouring the architects of the Constitution, mentioning Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, B.R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, and Sarojini Naidu, acknowledging their monumental contribution to shaping India’s republic.
He extended his appreciation to the nation’s armed forces, paramilitary personnel, security forces, scientists, teachers, farmers, and the diverse workforce – including daily wage earners, gig workers, artists, writers, and sportspersons – for their indispensable roles in nation-building and preserving India’s rich cultural tapestry.
However, the celebratory tone was quickly overshadowed by a stark assessment of the nation’s democratic health. Kharge expressed deep concern over what he characterized as a decade-long erosion of democratic principles and institutions. He alleged a deliberate and malicious campaign fueled by religious fundamentalism, designed to fracture Indian society along religious lines.
He claimed that minorities are being systematically targeted, and those advocating for secularism are subjected to what he termed “Goebbelsian propaganda,” a reference to Nazi Germany’s manipulative propaganda techniques. He further asserted that weaker sections of society – Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, the poor, and minorities – are treated as second-class citizens.
The Congress president directly accused the ruling government of political interference in autonomous institutions, asserting that the control over independent bodies is perceived as a mark of power. He claimed that federalism is being systematically undermined, with the rights of opposition-governed states being curtailed.
The functioning of Parliament, he stated, has significantly deteriorated due to what he described as the tyrannical tendencies of the ruling government. Universities and self-governing institutions, he continued, face constant intrusion, and a large segment of the media has been co-opted as a propaganda tool. The suppression of dissent through the targeting of opposition leaders, he argued, has become the government’s primary policy.
The ongoing crisis in Manipur served as a stark illustration of his concerns, with Kharge highlighting the state’s prolonged turmoil and the lack of accountability at the highest levels of power.
He concluded his message with a fervent call to protect the Constitution’s fundamental values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, emphasizing that these tenets are being systematically undermined by what he called an authoritarian regime.
He urged citizens to be prepared to make sacrifices to defend the Constitution, viewing this as a fitting tribute to their ancestors. His statement ended with the powerful slogan: “Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhaan. Jai Hind.”
Republic Day 2025: PM Modi says may this occasion strengthen efforts towards preserving ideals of Constitution
“May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India,” the Prime Minister said.
The 76th Republic Day is celebrated on January 26, commemorating the day its Constitution came into effect in 1950. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his greetings, emphasising the significance of preserving the Constitution’s core principles of democracy, dignity, and unity.
He paid tribute to the architects of the Constitution, acknowledging their instrumental role in shaping India’s democratic journey. His message on X expressed hope that the day would reinvigorate efforts to build a stronger and more prosperous nation, firmly rooted in the ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
“Happy Republic Day. Today, we celebrate 75 glorious years of being a Republic. We bow to all the great women and men who made our Constitution and ensured that our journey is rooted in democracy, dignity and unity,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“May this occasion strengthen our efforts towards preserving the ideals of our Constitution and working towards a stronger and prosperous India,” the Prime Minister said.
The celebrations, held at Kartavya Path, were a spectacular display of India’s rich diversity, its remarkable progress, and its powerful military. President Droupadi Murmu presided over the event, with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto gracing the occasion as the chief guest. The meticulously planned parade, showcasing India’s cultural heritage and military might, commenced at 10:30 AM and lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Before joining the festivities, Prime Minister Modi paid his respects at the National War Memorial, honouring the sacrifices of fallen soldiers. This poignant tribute underscored the nation’s gratitude for those who defended its sovereignty and security.
The Republic Day parade, a vibrant tapestry of India’s national identity, served as a testament to its democratic spirit, its unwavering unity, and its remarkable journey as a nation. The event was a fitting tribute to the nation’s founding fathers and a symbol of its continued progress and aspirations.
26/11 Mumbai attack convict Tahawwur Hussain Rana has lost his appeal in the US Supreme Court against being extradited to India on Tuesday, the day after US President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term.
Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian national, is wanted in India for the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. This was possibly his last chance to avoid extradition to India. He had lost cases in federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco.
Rana is detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles.
Earlier, the US government argued in the US Supreme Court that Rana’s petition for a writ of certiorari should be denied. US Solicitor General Elizabeth B Prelogar said Rana was not entitled to relief from extradition to India in this case.
She said the US government’s case against Rana does not cover the grounds on which India wants him to be extradited and be tried. She said the forgery charges against him for giving false information while seeking clearance to open an immigration centre branch was not covered in the US case against him. The US had indicted him for conspiracy charges and his conviction here doesn’t mean all the charges India wishes to accuse him of have been already death with the jury in the US.
Rana, a retired doctor in the Pakistan Army, migrated to Canada after his retirement. The Pakistan military utilizes retired personnel for covert action. Rana is a link to Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 10 Pakistani terrorists laid an almost three-day siege, attacking iconic and vital locations.
APN News is today the most watched and the most credible and respected news channel in India. APN has been at the forefront of every single news revolution. The channel is being recognized for its in-depth, analytical reportage and hard hitting discussions on burning issues; without any bias or vested interests.
