#Newschemes of budget 2015-16

ATAL Innovation Mission (AIM) to be Set up

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has stated his intentions to establish the ATAL Innovation Mission(AIM) in NITI. Presenting the General Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha here today, the Finance Minister stated that AIM will be an Innovation Promotion Platform involving academics, entrepreneurs and researchers and draw upon national and international experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D and scientific research in India. Shri Jaitley said that the platform will also promote a network of world-class innovation hubs and Grand Challenges for India. Initially a sum of Rs.150 crore wail be earmarked for this purpose Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) to be Established Government has announced the setting up of a Self- Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) mechanism. Presenting the General Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha here today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley stated that SETU will be a Techno-Financial, Incubation and Facilitation Programme to support all aspects of start up businesses, and other self-employment activities, particularly in technology-driven areas. An amount of Rs.1000 crore is being set up initially in NITI Aayog for SETU. Corporate Tax to be Reduced and GST to be Implemented The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has said that the Corporate Tax Rate is proposed to be reduced from the current 30% to 25% over the next 4 years. In his Budget Speech in the Lok Sabha here today, Shri Jaitley said this is expected to lead to higher level of investment, higher growth and more jobs. The Minister however said that the reduction has to be accompanied by rationalization and removal of various kinds of exemptions and incentives which is leading to a large number of tax disputes. He pointed out that the effective collection of Corporate Tax today is about 23% National Investment and Infrastructure Fund to be Set up The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has announced the setting up of a National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Presenting the General Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha here today, the Finance Minister stated that an annual flow of Rs.20,000 crore will be ensured for the NIIF. This will enable the Trust to raise debt, and in turn, invest as equity, in infrastructure finance companies such as IRFC and NHB. The infrastructure finance companies can then leverage this extra equity, manifold.  Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) to be Set Up A Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) will be set-up which will bring both India’s external borrowings and domestic debt under one roof. Presenting the General Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha here today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley stated that deepening of the Indian Bond market is one vital factor in promoting investment in India. The process of bringing the Indian Bond Market at the same level as India’s world class equity market is proposed to be initiated by setting-up PDMA.  Forwards Markets Commission to be Merged with Sebi The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has proposed to merge the Forwards Markets Commission with SEBI to strengthen regulation of commodity forward markets and reduce wild speculation. Enabling legislation, amending the Government Securities Act and the RBI Act is proposed in the Finance Bill, 2015. It has also been proposed to amend through the Finance Bill, Section 6 of FEMA to provide that control on capital flows as equity will be exercised by the Government, in consultation with the RBI.  A Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) an Electronic Plateform for Financing of Trade Receivables of MSMES Comprehensive Bankruptcy Code for Ease of Doing Business The Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitely presenting the Union Budget 2015-16, here today said that a significant part of the working capital requirement of a MSME arises due to long receivables realization cycles and we are in the process of establishing an electronic Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) financing of trade receivables of MSMEs, from corporate and other buyers, through multiple financiers. This should improve the liquidity in the MSME sector significantly.  Universal Social Security System for all Specially the Poor and the Under-Privileged: Soon-To-Be-Launched Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana The Atal Pension Yojana Launched   The Prahan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Announced Scheme to Subsidize the Premiums of Vulnerable Groups Such as Old Age Pensioners, BPL Card-Holders, Small and Marginal Farmers and Others Integrated Education and Livelihood Scheme ‘Nai Manzil’ will be Launched for Minorities             The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitely presenting the Union Budget 2015-16, here today said that a large proportion of India’s population is without insurance of any kind – health, accidental or life worryingly, as our young population ages, it is also going to be pension-less. Encouraged by the success of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, the Finance Minister proposed to work towards creating a universal social security system for all Indians, specially the poor and the under-privileged.             Shri Jaitley said that soon Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana will be launched to cover accidental death risk of Rs. 2 lakh for a premium of just Rs. 12 per year. Similarly, we will also launch the Atal Pension Yojana, which will provide a defined pension, depending on the contribution, and its period. To encourage people to join this scheme, the Government will contribute 50% of the beneficiaries’ premium limited to Rs. 1,000 each year, for five years, in the new accounts opened before 31st December, 2015.             The Finance Minister further said that the third Social Security Scheme that is to announce is the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana which covers both natural and accidental death risk of Rs. 2 lakhs. The premium will be Rs. 330 per year, or less than one rupee per day, for the age group 18-50.             Shri Jaitley said that there are unclaimed deposits of about Rs. 3,000 crore in the PPF, and approximately Rs. 6,000 crore in the EPF corpus. The Finance Minister proposed the creation of a Senior Citizen Welfare Fund, in the Finance Bill, for appropriation of these amounts to a corpus which will be used to subsidize the premiums of vulnerable groups such as old age pensioners, BPL card-holders, small and marginal farmers and others. Shri Jaitley informed that a detailed scheme would be issued in March.             The Finance Minister further said that special regard needs to be paid to the population of senior citizens in the country which is now approximately 10.5 crore, out of which over one crore are above the age of 80 years. 70% live in rural areas and a large number are in the BPL category. A sizable percentage of them also suffer from age related disabilities. The Finance Minister proposed a new scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted Living Devices for senior citizens, living below the poverty line.             Shri Jaitley said that in sum, these social security schemes reflect our commitment to utilize the Jan Dhan platform, to ensure that no Indian citizen will have to worry about illness, accidents, or penury in old age. Being sensitive to the needs of the poor, under-privileged and the disadvantaged, my Government also remains committed to the ongoing welfare schemes for the SCs, STs and Women. Despite serious constraints on Union finances, allocations made this year are as follows:                         SC                   Rs. 30,851 crore                         ST                    Rs. 19,980 crore                         Women            Rs. 79,258 crore             The Minister announced an integrated education and livelihood scheme called ‘Nai Manzil’ will be launched this year to enable Minority Youth who do not have a formal school-leaving certificate to obtain one and find better employment. Further, to showcase civilization and culture of the Parsis, the Government will support, in 2015-16, an exhibition, ‘The Everlasting Flame’. Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank Set up for Small Enterprises in Lending Priority was Given to SC/ST Enterprises The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitely presenting the Union Budget 2015-16, here today, said that our government firmly believes that development has to generate inclusive growth. While large corporate and business entities have role to play, this has to be complemented by informal sector enterprises which generate maximum employment the Minister added. There are some 5.77 crore small business units, mostly individual proprietorship, which run small manufacturing, trading or service businesses. 62% of these are owned by SC/ST/OBC. Shri Jaitley further said that these bottom-of-the-pyramid, hard-working entrepreneurs find it difficult, if not impossible, to access formal systems of credit. Shri Jaitley therefore, proposed to create a Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank, with a corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore, and credit guarantee corpus of Rs. 3,000 crore. MUDRA Bank will refinance Micro-Finance Institutions through a Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. In lending, priority will be given to SC/ST enterprises. These measures will greatly increase the confidence of young, educated or skilled workers who would now be able to aspire to become first generation entrepreneurs; existing small businesses, too, will be able to expand their activities. The Finance Minister further said that just as we are banking the un-banked, we are also funding the un-funded. Distinction Between Different types of Foreign Investments Done Away to Simplify the Procedure for Indian Companies to Attract Foreign Investment The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has proposed to do away with the distinction between different types of foreign investments, especially between foreign portfolio investments and foreign direct investments, and replace them with composite caps. Presenting the General Budget 2015-16 in the Lok Sabha here today, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley stated that this was being done to further simplify the procedures for Indian companies to attract foreign investments. The sectors which are already on a 100 percent automatic route would not be affected.  Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna to be Fully Supported Pradhanmantri Gram Sinchai Yojana to Provide ‘Per Drop More Crop’ The Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitely presenting the Union Budget 2015-16, here today, said that “Our commitment to farmers runs deep. We have already taken major steps to address the two major factors critical to agricultural production: soil and water”. In order to improve soil health, Union Minister propose to support Agriculture Ministry’s organic farming scheme – “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana”. Shri Jaitely said the Pradhanmantri Gram Sinchai Yojana is aimed at irrigating the field of every farmer and improving water use efficiently to provide ‘Per Drop More Crop’.The Budget provides for alllocation of Rs. 5,300 crore to support micro-irrigation, watershed development and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.The Minister urged the States to chip in substantially in this vital sector.  Tax Measures Announced to Promote Swachh Bharat Initiatives and Public Health. The Central Government will impose a Swachh Bharat Cess on all or certain taxable services at a rate of 2% from a date to be notified. The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley announced in his Budget Speech that the proceeds from this Cess would be utilized for Swachh Bharat initiatives. In a related development, the Scheduled rate of Clean Energy Cess levied on coal lignite and peat is being increased form Rs. 100 per tonne to Rs. 300 per tonne. The effective rate of Clean Energy Cess is being increased from Rs. 100 per tonne to Rs. 200 per tonne. Similarly, Excise duty on sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene other than for industrial use is being increased from 12% to 15%. Concessional customs and excise duty rates on specified parts of Electrically Operated Vehicles and Hybrid Vehicles, presently available up to 31.03.2015, is being extended up to 31.03.2016. To promote public health, Excise duty on cigarettes is being increased by 25% for cigarettes of length not exceeding 65 mm and by 15% for cigarettes of other lengths. Similar increases are proposed on cigars, cheroots and cigarillos. Maximum speed of packing machine is being specified as a factor relevant to production for determining excise duty payable under the Compounded Levy Scheme presently applicable to pan masala, gutkha and chewing tobacco. Excise duty on chassis for ambulances is being reduced from 24% to 12.5%.  Corporate Tax to be Reduced and GST to be Implemented; Gaar Deferred by Two Years The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said that to give a fillip to growth, investment and promotion of domestic manufacturing and ‘Make in India’, aiming at job creation, a series of measures are included in the budget. In his Budget Speech in the Lok Sabha here today, Shri Jaitley said Tax ‘pass through’ is proposed to be allowed to both Category-I and Category-II Alternative Investment funds, so that tax is levied on investors in these funds and not on the funds per se. The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley said the measure will step-up the ability of these funds to mobilize higher resources and make higher investments in small and medium enterprises, infrastructure and social projects and provide the much required private equity to new ventures and start-ups. He also said the Permanent Establishment (PE) norms are to be modified to encourage offshore fund managers to relocate to India. The modification will be to the effect that mere presence of a fund manager in India would not constitute PE of the offshore funds, as this is resulting in adverse tax consequences currently. The Finance Minister also announced deferment of the General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) by two years to accelerate the momentum of investment sentiment in the country, which he said, has turned positive now. Further, to facilitate technology inflow to small businesses at low costs, the rate of income tax on royalty and fees for technical services is to be reduced from 25% to 10%. Another step for boosting employment opportunities announced is that all business entities will be eligible for the benefit of deduction for employment of new regular workmen of 50 rather than 100 employees.

#Budget 2015-16

Budget 2015-16 Marks the Beginning of Co-Operative Federalism and Empowerment of the States.

Several New Schemes Announced Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank To Refinance Micro Finance Institutions Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana To Cover Accidental Death Risk Of Rs. 2 Lakh For Just Rs. 12 Per Year Premium Atal Pension Yojana For Defined Pension, Government To Contribute 50% Of The Premium Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana To Cover Both Natural And Accidental Death Risk Proposal To Create Senior Citizen Welfare Fund National Investment And Infrastructure Fund Proposed Tax Free Infrastructure Bonds For  Projects In Rail, Road And Irrigation Sectors SETU(Self-Employment And Talent Utilisation) Mechanism To Support Start-Up Businesses 5 New Ultra Mega Power Projects To Be Set Up Gold Monetisation Scheme To Replace Present Gold Deposit And Gold Metal Loan Schemes Another  Rs. 1,000 Crore For Nirbhaya Fund New Institutions Including AIIMS, IIT And IIM To Be Set Up Total Expenditure Estimated To Be Rs. 17,77,477 Crore, Fiscal Deficit To Be 3.9% Of GDP Objective Of Stable Taxation Policy And A Non-Adversarial Tax Administration Fight Against Scourge Of Black Money To Be Taken Forward Efforts On Various Fronts To Implement GST From Next Year No Change In Rate Of Personal Income Tax Proposal To Reduce Corporate Tax From 30% To 25% Over The Next Four Years, Starting From Next Financial Year Rationalization And Removal Of Various Tax Exemptions Incentives To Reduce Tax Disputes And Improve Administration Exemption To Individual Tax Payers To Continue To Facilitate Savings Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has said that the Indian Economy has turned around dramatically in the last nine months with the real GDP growth expected to accelerate to 7.4% making India the fastest growing large economy in the world. Presenting the General Budget for the year 2015-16 in Lok Sabha today, he said macro-economic stability has been restored and conditions have been created for sustainable poverty elimination, job creation and durable double digit economic growth. Shri Jaitley specifically talked about three key achievements of the Government, the Jan Dhan Yojanawhich brought over 12.5 crores families into financial mainstream in a short period of 100 days, transparent coal block auctions to augment resources of the states and ‘Swachh Bharat’ which has become a movement to regenerate India. ShriJaitley said that India has now embarked on two more game changing reforms which are GST and the JAM Trinity-Jan Dhan,Aadhar and Mobile-to implement direct transfer of benefits. He added that GST will put in place a state-of-the art indirect tax system by 1st April 2016 while the JAM Trinity will allow transfer benefits in a leakage-proof, well-targetted and cashless manner. Describing the declining inflation as one of the major achievements of the Government, the Finance Minister said that this represents a structural shift. He said CPI inflation is expected to remain at close to 5% by the end of the year which will allow further easing of monetary policy. Shri Jaitley said a Monetary Policy Framework Agreement has been concluded with the RBI to keep inflation below 6%. Stating that while based on the new series, estimated GDP growth for 2014-15 is 7.4%, Shri Jaitley said growth in the next financial year is expected to be between 8 to 8.5% and aiming for a double-digit rate seems feasible very soon. The Minister underlined that India has to think in terms of a quantum jump. He said the year 2022 will be the Amrut Mahotsav, the 75th year, of India’s independence. He added the vision of what the Prime Minister has called ‘Team India’ led by the States and guided by the Central Government should include a roof for each family which will require to complete two crorehouses in urban areas and four crore houses in rural areas with each house having 24 hour power supply, clean drinking water, a toilet and road connectivity. He said the vision includes that at least one member from each family should have access to the means of livelihood, substantial reduction in poverty, electrification of the remaining 20,000 villages including off-grid solar power by 2020, connecting each of the 1,78,000 un-connected habitation, providing medical services in each village and city, ensuring a Senior Secondary School within 5 km reach of every child, strengthening rural economy-increase irrigated area, ensuring communication connectivity to all villages, to make India, the manufacturing hub of the world through Skill India and the Make in India Programmes, encourage and grow the spirit of entrepreneurship and development of Eastern and North Eastern regions on par with the rest of the country.e sHeHHH The Finance Minister counted five major challenges faced by the Indian economy which are agricultural income under stress, weak private sector investment in infrastructure, decline in manufacturing, resource crunch in view of higher devolution in taxes to states and maintaining fiscal discipline. Shri Jaitley assured that the country will meet the challenging fiscal deficit target of 4.1% of GDP, that the Government had inherited. Talking about the fiscal roadmap Shri Jaitley said that the Government is firm to achieve fiscal target of 3% of GDP. He added that the journey for fiscal deficit target of 3% will be achieved in three years rather than two years.                         Stating that the Government is committed in its resolve, as Indians, to regain its pre-eminence as a just and compassionate country, Shri Jaitley said that what is needed is a well targetted system of subsidy delivery. He emphasized on need to cut subsidy leakages, to achieve which the Government is committed to the process of rationalizing subsidies. He said the direct transfer of benefits, started mostly in scholarship schemes, will be further expanded with a view to increasing the number of beneficiaries from the present 1 crore to 10.3 crore.             Reiterating that the Government’s commitment to farmers runs deep, the Finance Minister proposed to fully support Agriculture Ministry’s organic farming scheme – “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana”. Stating that thePradhanmantri Gram Sinchai Yojana is aimed at irrigating the field of every farmer and improving water use efficiency to provide ‘ Per Drop More Crop’’ , Shri Jaitley proposed allocation of Rs. 5,300 crore to support micro-irrigation, watershed development and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.                         In order to support the agriculture sector with the help of effective agriculture credit and focus on small and marginal farmers, the Finance Minister proposed to allocate Rs. 25,000 crore  to the corpus of Rural Infrastructure Development fund (RIDF) set up in NABARD, Rs. 15,000 crore for Long Term Rural Credit Fund; Rs. 45,000 crore for Short Term Cooperative Rural Credit Refinance Fund; and Rs. 15,000 crore for Short Term RRB Refinance Fund. He said that the Government has set up an ambitious target of Rs. 8.5 lakh crore of agricultural credit. Stating the Government’s commitment to supporting employment through MGNREGA, The Minister proposed an initial allocation of Rs. 34,699 crorefor the programme.             The Finance Minister proposed to create a Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank, with a corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore, and credit guarantee corpus of 3,000 crore, which will refinance Micro-Finance Institutions through a Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana,. He added that priority will be given to SC/ST enterprises in lending.             While showing concern over a large proportion of India’s population being without any kind of insurance, ShriJaitley said that the soon-to-be- launched Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, will cover accidental death risk of Rs. 2lakh for a premium of just Rs. 12 per year. Similarly, he said, the Government will also launch the Atal Pension Yojana, which will provide a defined pension, depending on the contribution, and its period. To encourage people to join this scheme, the Government will contribute 50% of the beneficiaries’ premium limited to Rs. 1,000 each year, for five years, in the new accounts opened before 31st December, 2015. The third Social Security Scheme that the Minister announced is the PradhanMantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana which covers both natural and accidental death risk of Rs. 2 lakhs. The premium will be Rs. 330 per year, or less than one rupee per day, for the age group 18-50.             Mentioning about unclaimed deposits of about Rs. 3,000 crores in the PPF and approximately Rs. 6,000 crores in the EPF corpus, the Minister said that the amounts will  be appropriated to a corpus, which will be used to subsidize the premiums on these social security schemes through creation of a Senior Citizen Welfare fund in the Finance Bill. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to the on-going schemes for the welfare of SCs, STs and Women.             The Finance Minister underlined the pressing need to increase public investment in infrastructure. He said that he proposes increased outlays on both the roads and the gross budgetary support to the railways, by Rs. 14,031 crore and Rs. 10,050 crore respectively. He said the CAPEX of the public sector units is expected to be Rs. 3,17,889 crore, an increase of approximately Rs. 80,844 crore  over RE 2014-15. He also proposed to establish National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) with an annual flow of Rs. 20,000 crore.  He said that he also intends to permit tax free infrastructure bonds for the projects in the rail, road and irrigation sector. He said the PPP mode of infrastructure development has to be revisited and revitalized.             Shri Jaitley proposed to establish the Atal Innovation Mission(AIM) in NITI which will provide Innovation Promotion Platform involving academicians, and drawing upon national and international experiences. A sum of Rs. 150crore is proposed to be earmarked for the mission.             The Finance Minister said that the Government is establishing a mechanism to be known as SETU (Self-Employment and Talent Utilisation) which will support all aspects of start-up businesses, and other self-employment activities, particularly in technology-driven areas. Rs. 1,000 crore have been initially earmarked in NITI Aayog for the purpose.             Shri Jaitley said the Government also proposes to set up 5 new Ultra Mega Power Projects each of 4000 MWs in the plug-and-play mode.             In order to promote investment in the country, the Minister proposed to set up a Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) which will bring both India’s external borrowings and domestic debt under one roof. He also proposed to merge the Forwards Markets Commission with SEBI to strengthen regulation of commodity forward markets and reduce wild speculation. He said enabling legislation, amending the Government Securities Act and the RBI Act is proposed in the Finance Bill, 2015.             Regarding the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), the Minister said the employees need to be provided two options, EPF or the New Pension Scheme (NPS). He said, for employees below a certain threshold of monthly income, contribution to EPF should be optional, without affecting or reducing the employer’s contribution.             Stating that India is one of the largest consumers of gold in the world, Shri Arun Jaitley proposed to introduce a Gold Monetisation Scheme, which will replace both the present Gold Deposit and Gold metal Loan Schemes. The New scheme will allow the depositors of gold to earn interest in their metal accounts and the jewelers to obtain loans in their metal account.  Banks/other dealers would also be able to monetize this gold. He also proposed a Sovereign Gold Bond, as an alternative to purchasing metal gold. He also announced commencing work on developing Indian Gold Coin, which will carry the Ashok Chakra on its face.             Highlighting need for increasing investments from all sources, the Finance Minister proposed to allow foreign investments in Alternate Investment Funds. He said in order to catalyze investments from the Indian Private Sector  in South East Asia, a Project Development Company will set up manufacturing hubs  in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.             In order to support Programmes for women security, advocacy and awareness, the Minister proposed to provide another Rs. 1,000 crore to the Nirbhaya Fund.             Shri Jaitley said resources will be provided to start work along landscape restoration, signage and interpretationcentres, parking, access for the differently abled, visitors’ amenities, including securities and toilets, illumination and plans for benefiting communities around them at various heritage sites. Expressing concern over environmental degradation, the Minister said that the target of renewable energy capacity has been revised to 1,75,000 MW till 2022. He said the Government is also launching a Scheme for Faster Adoption and manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) with an initial outlay of Rs. 75 crore.             The Minister emphasized on formal skill training and said the Government will soon launch a National Skills Mission which will consolidate skill initiatives spread across several Ministries. He said Rs. 1,500 crore has been set apart for Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana. He proposed to set up a fully IT based Student Financial Aid Authority to administer and monitor Scholarship as well Educational Loan Schemes, through the Pradhan Mantri Vidya LakshmiKaryakram.             The Minister proposed to set up several New Institutions. An IIT will be set up in Karnataka and Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad will be upgraded in to a full-fledged IIT. New All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be set up in J&K, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. Another AIIMS like institution will be set up in Bihar. A post graduate institute of Horticulture Research & Education will be set up in Amritsar. Three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research will be set up in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh and one institute of Science and Education Research will be set up in Nagaland and Odisha each. IIMs will be setup in J&K and Andhra Pradesh.             Shri Jaitley said India is making good progress towards digital India. He said the National Optical Fibre NetworkProgramme (NOFNP) of 7.5 lakh kms networking 2.5 lakh villages is being further speeded up by allowing willing States to undertake its execution.             The Minister said that in spite of the large increase in the devolution to states, adequate provision is being made for the schemes for the poor with allocation of Rs. 68,968 crore to the education sector including mid-day meals, Rs. 33,152crore to the health sector and Rs. 79,526 crore for rural development activities including MGNREGA, Rs. 22,407 crore for housing and urban development, Rs. 10,351 crore for women and child development, Rs. 4,173 crore for Water Resources and Namami Gange. The Minister said that adequate funds have been provided for the needs of the armed forces. As against likely expenditure of this year of Rs. 2,22,370 crore the budget allocation for 2015-16 is Rs. 2,46,727 crore.             Shri Arun Jaitley while giving the budget estimates for 2015-16 said Non-Plan expenditure estimates for the Financial Year are Rs. 13,12,220 crore. Plan expenditure is estimated to be Rs. 4,65,277 crore, which is very near to the R.E. of 2014-15. Total Expenditure has accordingly been estimated at Rs. 17,77,477 crore. Gross Tax receipts are estimated to be Rs. 14,49,490 crore. Devolution to the States is estimated to be Rs. 5,23,958 crore. Share of Central Government will be Rs. 9,19,842 crore. Non Tax Revenues for the next fiscal are estimated to be Rs. 2,21,733 crore. He said with the above estimates, fiscal deficit will be 3.9 percent of GDP and Revenue Deficit will be 2.8 percent of GDP. TAX PROPOSALS             The Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley has said that a very important dimension to our tax administration is the fight against the scourge of black money.  He said that taxation is an instrument of social and economic engineering.  Tax collections help the Government to provide education, healthcare, housing and other basic facilities to the people to improve their quality of life and to address the problems of poverty, unemployment and slow development.  To achieve these objectives, it has been our endeavour in the last nine months to foster a stable taxation policy and non-adversarial tax administration.              Shri Jaitley said that Goods and Services Tax (GST) introduced in the last Session will play a transformative role in the way our economy functions.  This transformative piece of legislation in indirect taxation needs to be matched with transformative measures in direct taxation.  He said that the rate of corporate tax is proposed to be reduced from 30% to 25% over the next four years.  This will lead to higher level of investment, higher growth and more jobs. The broad things adopted in finalizing the tax proposals include:- A.    Measures to curb black money B.     Job creation through revival of growth and investment and promotion of domestic manufacturing and ‘Make in India’; C.     Minimum government and maximum governance to improve the ease of doing business; D.    Benefits to middle class taxpayers; E.     Improving the quality of life and public health through Swachch Bharat initiatives; and F.      Stand alone proposals to maximize benefits to the economy.            Shri Jaitley said that a considered decision has been taken to enact a comprehensive new law on black money to specifically deal with such money stashed away abroad.  The Bill in this regard is proposed to be introduced in the current Session of the Parliament.  The key features of the bill will include punishment of rigorous imprisonment up to ten years for concealment of income and assets and evasion of tax in relation to foreign assets.  This offence will be made non-compoundable and offenders will not be permitted to approach the Settlement Commission.  Penalty for such concealment of income and assets at the rate of 300 per cent of tax shall be levied.  Non-filing of return or filing of return with inadequate disclosure of foreign assets will be punishable with rigorous imprisonment up to seven years.            As regards curbing domestic black money, a new and more comprehensive Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Bill will be introduced in the current Session of the Parliament.  Shri Jaitley said that this law will enable confiscation ofbenami property and provide for prosecution, thus, blocking a major avenue for generation and holding of black money in the form of benami property, especially in real estate.  Quoting of PAN is being made mandatory for any purchase or sale exceeding the value of Rs.1 lakh.  To improve enforcement, CBDT and CBEC will leverage technology and have access to information in each other’s data-base.            Mentioning job creation as the second pillar of taxation proposals Shri Jaitley said that this will be ensured through revival of growth and investment and promotion of domestic manufacturing and ‘Make in India’.  The tax ‘pass through’ is proposed to be allowed to both Category-1 and Category-2 alternative investment fund so that tax is levied on the investors in these funds and not on the funds per se. To rationalize the capital gain regime for the sponsors  exiting at the time of listing of the units of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) subject to payment of Securities Transaction Tax (STT) is proposed, he said.             Permanent Establishment (PE) norm will be modified to encourage fund managers to relocate to India. The Finance Minister said that General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) will be deferred by two years.  It will apply to investments made on or after 01-04-2017, when implemented.  In order to facilitate young entrepreneurs rate of income tax on royalty and fees  for technical services will be reduced from 25 per cent to 10 per cent.  To generate greater employment opportunities the benefit of deduction for employment of new regular workman to all business entities will be extended.  The eligibility threshold of minimum 100 regular workmen will be reduced to 50.            Recognizing the importance of indirect taxes in the context of promotion of domestic manufacturing and ‘Make in India’, the Finance Minister said basic custom duty on certain inputs, raw materials, intermediates and components in 22 items is proposed to be reduced to minimize the impact of duty evasion.  All goods except populated printed circuit boards for use in manufacture of ITA bound items are proposed to be exempted from SAD.  Subject to actual user condition SAD will be reduced on import of certain other imports and raw materials.             Shri Jaitley said wealth tax is proposed to be abolished and replaced with an additional surcharge of 2 per cent on the super rich with the taxable income of over Rs.1 Crore.  With this 2 per cent additional surcharge a collection of Rs.9,000Crore is targeted against a tax sacrifice of Rs.1,008 Crore. To eliminate the scope for discretionary exercise of power and provide a hassle-free structure to the tax payers, Shri Jaitley proposed to increase the threshold limit from Rs.5 Crore to Rs.20 Crore. In order to rationalize the MAT provisions for FIIs, profits corresponding to their income from capital gains on transactions in securities which are liable to tax at a lower rate, shall not be subject to MAT, Shri Jaitley said.           Education cess and the Secondary and Higher education cess is proposed to be subsumed in central excise duty.  The general rate of central excise duty of 12.36 per cent including the cesses will be rounded off to 12.5 per cent.  The Ad-valorem rates of excise duty lower than 12 per cent and those higher than 12 per cent with a few exceptions are not proposed to be increased.  Excise duty on foot-wears with leather uppers and having retail price of more than Rs.1,000 per pair is proposed to be reduced to 6 per cent.  Shri Jaitley said on-line central excise and service tax registration will be done in two working days.  As a measure of business facilitation time limit for CENVAT credit on inputs and input services to be increased from 6 months to one year.  Service tax plus education cess is proposed to be increased from 12.36 per cent to 14 per cent to facilitate transaction to GST.            Shri Jaitley said that cleanliness of households and clean environment are very important social causes.  As an initiative to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Shri Jaitley proposed 100 per cent reduction for contribution, other than by way of CSR contributions, to the Swachh Bharat Kosh.  A similar tax treatment is also proposed for the Clean Ganga Fund, he said. ShriJaitley proposed an increase in clean energy cess from Rs.100 to Rs.200 per metric tonne of coal, etc. to finance clean environment initiatives.   He further said that excise duty of sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene other than for industrial use is proposed to be increased from 12 per cen to 15 per cent.  He also mentioned an enabling provision to levy SwachhBharat Cess at the rate of 2 per cent or less on all or certain services if need arises.  Shri Jaitley said that services by common affluent treatment plant will be exempt from service tax.  He also proposed concessions on customs and excise duty available to electrically operated vehicle and hybrid vehicle extended up to 31-03-2016.           The Finance Minister proposed no change in the rate of personal income tax and rate of tax for companies in respect of income earned in the finance year 2015-16, assessable in Assessment Year 2016-17.  Shri Jaitley proposed to levy a surcharge @ 12 per cent on individuals, HUFs, AOPs, BOIs, artificial juridical persons, firms, cooperative societies and local authorities having income exceeding Rs.1 Crore.  Surcharge in the case of domestic companies having income exceeding Rs.1 Crore and up to Rs.10 Crore is proposed to be levied @ 7 per cent and surcharge @ 12 per cent is proposed to be levied on domestic companies having income exceeding Rs.10 Crore.                 He  further proposed that in the case of foreign companies the surcharge will continue to be levied @ 2 per cent if the income exceeds Rs.1 Crore and is up to Rs. 10 Crore, and @ 5 per cent if the income exceeds Rs.10 Crore.           It is also proposed to levy a surcharge @ 12 per cent as against current rate of 10 per cent on additional income tax payable by companies on distribution of dividends and buyback of shares, or by mutual funds and securitization trusts on distribution of income.           The education cess on income tax @ 2 per cent for fulfilment of the commitment of the Government to provide and finance universalized quality based education and 1 per cent of additional surcharge called ‘Secondary and Higher Education Cess’ on tax and surcharge is proposed to be continued for the financial year 2015-16 for all taxpayers, the Minister said.          Describing the extension of benefits to middle class tax payers as the priority of the government, Shri Jaitleyproposed the following concessions:- A.    Increase in the limit of deduction in respect of health insurance premium from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000. (1)   For senior citizens the limit will stand increased to Rs.30,000 from the existing Rs.20,000. (2)   For very senior citizens of the age of 80 years or more, who are not covered by health insurance, deduction of Rs.30,000 towards expenditure incurred on the treatment will allowed. B.     The deduction limit of Rs.60,000 towards expenditure on account of specified diseases of serious nature is proposed to be enhanced to Rs.80,000 in case of very senior citizens. C.     Additional deduction of Rs.25,000 will be allowed for differently abled persons under Section 80DD and Section 80U of the Income-tax Act. D.    The limit on deduction on account of contribution to a Pension Fund and the New Pension Scheme is proposed to be increased from Rs.1 lakh to Rs.1.5 lakh. E.     To provide social safety net and the facility of pension to individuals and additional deduction of Rs.50,000is proposed to be provided for contribution to the New Pension Scheme under Section 80 CCD.   This will enable India to become a pensioned society instead of a pensionless society. F.      Investments in Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme is already eligible for deduction under Section 80C.  All payments to the beneficiaries including interest payment on deposit will also be fully exempt. G.    Transport allowance exemption is being increased from Rs.800 to Rs.1,600 per month. H.    For the benefit of senior citizens, service tax exemption will be provided on Varishta Bima Yojana.          Mentioning change, growth, jobs and genuine effective up-liftment of the poor and the under-privileged as Government’s commitment and re-affirming its commitment to the Constitutional principles of equality and justice for all without concern for caste, creed or religion, Shri Jaitley ended his budget speech with the Upanishad-inspired mantra