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.
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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.
Air India has terminated the employment of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for a psychoactive substance.
The pilot was in command of flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi on August 4 when the aircraft suddenly lost altitude over Odisha. The incident left 24 passengers injured.
Air India said the termination was in line with its zero-tolerance policy regarding safety violations and regulatory requirements.
Air India terminates pilot with immediate effect
In a statement, the Tata-owned airline said the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.
The airline said that, considering its zero-tolerance approach to violations related to safety, fitness and regulatory requirements, the pilot’s employment had been terminated with immediate effect.
Air India also said it continues to cooperate fully with the investigation into the incident and has provided access to relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.
What happened on the Phuket-Delhi flight?
According to the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Airbus A320 was carrying 145 people when it experienced the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at around 36,000 feet.
The technical failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and triggered a brief stall warning. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 passengers.
The preliminary report also noted that the pilot tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test.
However, the report did not establish that the pilot’s drug-test result caused or contributed to the hydraulic system failure or the subsequent loss of altitude.
AAIB recommends action over psychoactive substance finding
The AAIB described the confirmation of psychoactive substance use as a serious concern and recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action against the pilot on priority.
The investigation into the technical and other aspects of the incident is still underway.
The preliminary report also noted that the co-pilot was flying the aircraft when the incident occurred and attempted to bring the situation under control.
Air India said safety remains its highest priority and that its pilots undergo training, proficiency checks, medical examinations and other regulatory assessments in accordance with applicable requirements.
India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims
India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.
India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.
DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India
According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.
The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.
The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.
DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains
The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.
Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.
The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.
Nepal flood death toll rises
The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.
More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.
The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.
The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.
PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities
In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.
Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.
The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.
The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.
EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities
According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.
The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.
ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.
Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.
GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details
The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.
Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.
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