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Budget 2024-25: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman bets on social security schemes, no change in tax slabs

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With the Narendra Modi government’s second term coming to an end, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her sixth budget, albeit an interim one at that. The government has focused on people’s welfare, extension of social security schemes for the poor, women, youth and farmers. She said she hoped the people of the country will vote the party back to power in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Finance Minister said the BJP-led government is working to make India ‘Viksit Bharat’. She said the government was keen on governance, development and performance, GDP. The government has raised 25 crore people from below the poverty line over the 10 years. As expected, there was no change in tax slabs, though the FM spoke of increasing tax exempt income from Rs 2.5 lakh in 2013-14 to Rs 7 lakh last year, though under the new tax regime.

Keeping rural India firmly in mind, she said 2 crore (20 million) houses will be built under the PM Awaas Yojana Grameen over the next five years. Analysts had expected a similar plan for urban areas. Similarly, the Ayushman Bharat scheme has been extended to all ASHA and Anganwadi workers which would enable them to avail free medical treatment at primary health centres and government facilities.

A long-term financing corpus will be set up with 50-year interest free loan for longer tenures for development of tech industries. The government will also launch schemes to strengthen deep tech for defence purposes.

The bigger announcement was on the plan to limit the fiscal deficit below 5% in 2026 despite the push for greater infrastructure thrust. The deficit for 2024-25 is expected to stay at 5.8% of the GDP.

The government has also cancelled direct tax demands for some 1 crore taxpayers. The greater push for increasing solarisation among households via rooftop solarisation targeting 300 free units per month is a hat-tip to the free power schemes introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party.

Finance Minister completes interim budget presentation

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman concluded her interim budget presentation.

Tax benefits extended to March 2025

The tax benefits for startups, investments made by sovereign wealth, pension funds are to be extended to March 2025

3 railway economic corridors programmes to be implemented

The railway economic corridor programmes for energy, minerals and cement as well as port connectivity and heavy will be put into effect. The Finance Minister stated that PM Gati Shakti has designated the projects that will enable multi-modal connectivity and will lower costs and increase the effectiveness of logistics

Nirmala Sitharaman push for enhancement in tech sector

During the budged presentation, the Finance Minister said that a corpus of Rs1 lakh crore will be established with 50-year interest free loan to provide long term financing with loang tenure with no or less interest rates. She added that a new technology will be launched to strengthen deeep tech for defence purpose.

FDI inflow during FY 14-25 was USD 596 bn

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted that the Foreign Direct Investment during the financial year 14-20 was USD 596 billion.

Union Finance Minister Sitharaman on PM Modi’s roof-top solarisation scheme

According to Nirmala Sitharaman, rooftop solarisation will provide 300 units of free electricity per month to 1 crore families.

Ayushman Bharat cover to be extended

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said all Asha and Anganwadi workers will be included in the Ayushmann Bharat initiative.

FM announces 2 crore more houses under PMYA-G

Two crore more houses would be constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin, according to the Union Finance Minister.

Nirmala Sitharaman explains government focus for the interim budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the central government is focusing on four major groups namely poor, women, youth and the farmers.

Finance Minister begins interim budget presentation

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam commences to present the interim budget 2024-25, setting the stage for Lok Sabha Election 2024. In this budget, the Finance Minister is likely to focus on social welfare schemes, farmers, women and job creation.

Growth rate to stay above 6%

Ahead of the budget, the Economic Review had pegged the growth rate at 7%, the IMF has forecast GDP growth rate for India at 6.5%

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India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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