The Central Government have approved Jeevan Akshay-VI Plan of the LIC

   The Central Government have approved Jeevan Akshay-VI Plan of the Life  Insurance Corporation of India as an annuity plan eligible for deduction  under clause (xii) of sub-section (2) of section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

    Persons who have invested in this plan during the financial year 2007-08 or  subsequently (relevant assessment year being 2008-09 and subsequent  assessment years) will be eligible for deduction of the amount invested from  their total income chargeable to income tax. The benefit will, however, be limited to the overall ceiling of Rs.1,00,000 available for deductions under  section 80C.


SOURCE - PIB

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Government intends to introduce Direct Taxes Code in next Parliament Session:Centralized Processing Centres for improving tax payer services in two more places.

   Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has said that the government intends to introduce the Direct Taxes Code in the forthcoming Monsoon Session of the Parliament. He was addressing the Central Direct Tax Advisory Committee.

   The Finance Minister said that he had identified nine core areas of concern expressed by various stakeholders. He assured that all these concerns have been taken into consideration while redrafting the Code. He revealed that the code will soon be put in the public domain.

   The Finance Minister informed the Committee that two more Centralized Processing Centers (CPC) will be set up during the current year. The first one at Bengaluru has enabled faster processing of tax returns and better records management.

   Shri Mukherjee further stated that the Refund Banker Scheme will be extended to more cities this year. The scheme enables speedier refunds directly to the bank accounts of the tax payers. The scheme had been introduced in nine more cities last year. It is now available in 15 cities.

   The Finance Minister pointed out that several steps have been taken to improve exchange of tax related information and bilateral tax cooperation with several countries. He said that the government has written to 65 countries to make exchange of information more effective and to remove the secrecy clause.

   Shri Mukherjee also informed that twenty low or no tax countries have been identified for negotiating and signing tax information exchange agreement.

SOURCE - PIB

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E – Filing facility restored.

   The e – filing facility for the assessment year 2010 – 11 has been restored. The taxpayers can now e – file their income tax returns without any difficulty.

  The Central Board of Direct Taxes has informed that the security certification of the Income Tax department internet portal has been renewed. The certification had lapsed on 8th May, 2010.

SOURCE - PIB

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RBI permits 926 branches of banks to accept advance income tax

   To make it convenient for the income tax assessees, the Reserve Bank of India today allowed 926 branches of public and private banks to collect advance income tax in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

   Till now, only RBI used to collect advance  income taxes. Of the 926 branches, 862 branches of public sector banks, 35 of HDFC Bank, 10 of ICICI and 19 of AXIS Bank, RBI Assistant Manager J D Desai said in a statement here.

   The step has been taken for the convenience of the assessees inMumbai and Navi Mumbai, so that they could utilise the services being made available at various designated branches of the authorised banks, he added.
    Mumbai, being headquarters of many corporates, gets the largest chunk of advance income tax.

SOURCE - ECONOMIC TIMES

read more...

RBI permits 926 branches of banks to accept advance income tax

   To make it convenient for the income tax assessees, the Reserve Bank of India today allowed 926 branches of public and private banks to collect advance income tax in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

   Till now, only RBI used to collect advance  income taxes. Of the 926 branches, 862 branches of public sector banks, 35 of HDFC Bank, 10 of ICICI and 19 of AXIS Bank, RBI Assistant Manager J D Desai said in a statement here.

   The step has been taken for the convenience of the assessees inMumbai and Navi Mumbai, so that they could utilise the services being made available at various designated branches of the authorised banks, he added.
    Mumbai, being headquarters of many corporates, gets the largest chunk of advance income tax.

SOURCE - ECONOMIC TIMES

read more...

New Income Tax Return Form SARAL II for Assessment Year 2010-11

  CBDT notifies New Income Tax Return Form SARAL II (ITR 1) for Assessment Year 2010-11 for Individuals having income from Salary/Pension/Income from One House Property (Excluding loss brought forward from previous years) / Income from Other Sources (Excluding winning from Lottery and Income from Race Horses). CBDT also notifies Income Tax Return Verification Form ITR-V for Assessment Year
2010-11 for SARAL II (ITR-1) ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6 & ITR-8 transmitted electronically without digital signature.

                                                            

NOTIFICATION

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Revenue)
(CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES)

New Delhi, the 23rd April, 2010

INCOME-TAX

              S.O. 943 (E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 295 of the Income-tax Act,1961 (43 of 1961), the Central Board of Direct Taxes hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Income-tax Rules, 1962, namely:-

1.        (1) These rules may be called the Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2010.

           (2)They shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 2010.

2. In the Income-tax Rules, 1962,

            (a) in rule 12, –

            (i) in sub-rule (1), for the figures “2009”, the figures “2010” shall be substituted;

           (ii) in sub-rule (5), for the figures “2008”, the figures “2009” shall be substituted;

           (b) in Appendix-II, for Forms ITR-1 and ITR-V, the following forms shall be substituted,

DOWNLOAD THE NOTIFICATION

CLICH HERE TO DOWN LOAD THE ITR-I FORM AND INSTRUCTION

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New Income Tax Return Form SARAL II for Assessment Year 2010-11

  CBDT notifies New Income Tax Return Form SARAL II (ITR 1) for Assessment Year 2010-11 for Individuals having income from Salary/Pension/Income from One House Property (Excluding loss brought forward from previous years) / Income from Other Sources (Excluding winning from Lottery and Income from Race Horses). CBDT also notifies Income Tax Return Verification Form ITR-V for Assessment Year
2010-11 for SARAL II (ITR-1) ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6 & ITR-8 transmitted electronically without digital signature.

                                                            

NOTIFICATION

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Revenue)
(CENTRAL BOARD OF DIRECT TAXES)

New Delhi, the 23rd April, 2010

INCOME-TAX

              S.O. 943 (E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 295 of the Income-tax Act,1961 (43 of 1961), the Central Board of Direct Taxes hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Income-tax Rules, 1962, namely:-

1.        (1) These rules may be called the Income-tax (Third Amendment) Rules, 2010.

           (2)They shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 2010.

2. In the Income-tax Rules, 1962,

            (a) in rule 12, –

            (i) in sub-rule (1), for the figures “2009”, the figures “2010” shall be substituted;

           (ii) in sub-rule (5), for the figures “2008”, the figures “2009” shall be substituted;

           (b) in Appendix-II, for Forms ITR-1 and ITR-V, the following forms shall be substituted,

DOWNLOAD THE NOTIFICATION

CLICH HERE TO DOWN LOAD THE ITR-I FORM AND INSTRUCTION

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Govt may scale down tax relief proposed in DTC draft

   NEW DELHI: People with more than Rs 10 lakh annual income may not get the tax relief originally proposed in the Direct Taxes Code, as the Finance Ministry is for tweaking slabs across the board to offset
concessions elsewhere.

   Under the first draft of DTC -- which when implemented will  replace the archaic Income Tax Act, 1961 -- income of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25  lakhs was to attract tax at the rate of 20 per cent, but the final draft
expected by June 15 may propose slapping 30 per cent tax on any income above  Rs 10 lakh per annum, according to sources.

   This is to make up for the possible concessions the ministry may extend in other areas like exempting long term savings from tax at the time of withdrawal and the way Minimum Alternate Tax is calculated, sources said.

   As such, the relief on highest tax slab would not be much, since under the present regime too, 30 per cent tax is imposed on income of more than Rs eight lakh a year.

   Sources said the ministry is reworking the August 2009 draft following feedback from stakeholders. Under this, the 10 per cent tax proposed on income up to Rs 10 lakh may now stand scaled down to Rs five lakhs a year.

   And income of Rs five-10 lakh a year would attract 20 per cent tax, although the first draft proposed slapping this rate on Rs 10-25 lakh income.

SOURCE - ECONOMIC TIMES

read more...

Govt may scale down tax relief proposed in DTC draft

   NEW DELHI: People with more than Rs 10 lakh annual income may not get the tax relief originally proposed in the Direct Taxes Code, as the Finance Ministry is for tweaking slabs across the board to offset
concessions elsewhere.

   Under the first draft of DTC -- which when implemented will  replace the archaic Income Tax Act, 1961 -- income of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25  lakhs was to attract tax at the rate of 20 per cent, but the final draft
expected by June 15 may propose slapping 30 per cent tax on any income above  Rs 10 lakh per annum, according to sources.

   This is to make up for the possible concessions the ministry may extend in other areas like exempting long term savings from tax at the time of withdrawal and the way Minimum Alternate Tax is calculated, sources said.

   As such, the relief on highest tax slab would not be much, since under the present regime too, 30 per cent tax is imposed on income of more than Rs eight lakh a year.

   Sources said the ministry is reworking the August 2009 draft following feedback from stakeholders. Under this, the 10 per cent tax proposed on income up to Rs 10 lakh may now stand scaled down to Rs five lakhs a year.

   And income of Rs five-10 lakh a year would attract 20 per cent tax, although the first draft proposed slapping this rate on Rs 10-25 lakh income.

SOURCE - ECONOMIC TIMES

read more...

Government is firmly committed to the goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes Code

Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s opening speech, delivered in the Lok Sabha today, at the beginning of consideration of the Finance Bill-2010, is as follows:



“As I rise to move the Finance Bill, 2010 for consideration of this august

House, it is with some satisfaction that I report the positive developments in

the Indian economy in the last few

months. The turnaround of the economy

which started in the second quarter of 2009-10 is likely to result in a growth

of 7.2 per cent for the full year 2009-10

as indicated in the Advance Estimates of the

Central Statistical Organization.

The upward shift in India’s growth trajectory has been anchored strongly in

robust growth in consumption. The salutary impact of the fiscal stimulus along

with the monetary measures implemented by the RBI, facilitated the growth

recovery by regenerating the investment

impulses and private spending.

In the Budget for 2010-11, I have initiated a partial roll back of stimulus

measures and a resumption of the fiscal consolidation process with fiscal

deficit at 5.5 per cent of GDP. The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement 2010-11

provides the roadmap with fiscal deficit declining to 4.8 per cent of GDP in

2011-12 and further to 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2012-13. A focus on bringing down

the level of public debt as envisaged in the Thirteenth Finance Commission’s

Report and as announced in the Budget for 2010-11 would anchor the fiscal

consolidation process in a sustainable debt framework

Inflation



The year 2009 started with low WPI inflation of 1.3 per cent in April, 2009,

which relapsed to the negative zone during June to August, 2009. The WPI

inflation turned positive in September 2009, thereafter, an upward trend has

been observed. Clearly, the current levels of inflation are elevated and more

generalized and the WPI inflation in March 2010 stood at 9.9 per cent. What has

led to deep concern is the double-digit food inflation. The gradual increase in

food inflation observed till December 2009 was due to expectations of

supply-side constraints of food items, especially due to unfavorable south-west

monsoon. As per the Second Advance Estimates of production of food grains for

2009-10, the total food grains production has been estimated at 216.85 million

tones, which is about 5 per cent lower than the second advance estimate of last

year.

The Government has utmost concern about the current price situation. We have

taken a number of short term and medium term measures to improve domestic

availability of essential commodities and

to moderate inflation. These include: reducing import duties for rice, wheat,

pulses, edible oils and sugar to zero; allowing import of raw sugar at zero duty

under open general licence; removing levy obligation for imported raw sugar and

white/ refined sugar; banning export of non-basmati rice, edible oils and pulses

and imposing stock limit orders in the case of paddy, rice, pulses, sugar,

edible oils and edible oilseeds. A Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central

Ministers has been constituted on 15th March, 2010 to discuss issues related to

prices of essential commodities. Besides, to protect the interest of poor and

vulnerable sections of the society, the

Central Issue Prices for rice and wheat have been kept unrevised at 2002 levels.

We have sufficient stocks of wheat and

rice to meet the demands of the Public Distribution System and other welfare

schemes. As on 15.4.2010, 25.4 millions of wheat in RMS 2009-10 and 25.9 million

tonnes of rice have been procured in KMS 2009-10 (October to September). The

Central Pool stock of wheat is at a high of 183.88 lakh tonnes and of rice at

269.50 lakh tonnes as on 1.3.2010.

In the case of pulses, the shortfall of domestic production has been made up by

higher imports. Considerable support has been provided to the Public

Distribution System. For pulses and edible oil, the Government is bearing a

subsidy of Rs.10 per kg. and Rs.15 per kg. respectively for distribution through

PDS/Fair Price Shops. The Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers

held its first meeting on 8th April, 2010. Three Working Groups consisting of

Chief Ministers of various States are now engaged in drawing up recommendations

on agricultural production, consumer affairs and food and public distribution.

The reports are expected by the middle of June, 2010.

Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible. There has been a

significant decline from the peak food inflation of over 20 per cent recorded in

December 2009 to 17.7 per cent in March 2010. Besides, the inflation in

essential commodities also declined from the peak of 23.8 per cent in January

2010 to 19.8 per cent in March 2010. It is expected that this decline would

continue in the recent months uninterruptedly.

The monetary policy stance has also been gradually fine-tuned by RBI to face the

inflationary challenges. The Repo Rate has been increased from 5 per cent to

5.25 per cent and Reverse Repo Rate from 3.50 per cent to 3.75 per cent. The CRR

has also been increased from 5.75 per cent to 6 per cent. These measures are

expected to anchor the inflationary expectations.

Growth Prospects

While the slowdown in agriculture, inflicted by the monsoon failure, poses

concern on the food and food prices front, the impressive recovery achieved by

the Indian industry in the recent months is heartening. The Index of Industrial

Production recorded a growth of 10.1 per cent during April-February 2009-10,

compared to 3.0 per cent during April-February 2008-09. While both manufacturing

and mining grew around 10 per cent, electricity grew at 5.8 per cent during

April-February 2009-10. All the major segments of industry except consumer

non-durables staged a strong recovery. The intermediate goods grew at 13.7 per

cent and consumer durables recorded an appreciable 25.5 per cent growth in

April- February 2009-10. The growth of capital goods at 18.2 per cent in April-

February 2009-10, on top of their reasonable growth in the previous year, is

indicative of the pickup in investment demand.

Tax Reform

I have already informed the House that the Government is firmly committed to the

goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes

Code (DTC) as well as the Goods and Services Tax

(GST). I am happy to inform the Hon’ble Members that, in the case of DTC, the

process of consultation with the stakeholders for revising the first draft is

almost over. We expect to place a revised Discussion Paper in the public domain

by next month. After a quick round of consultations with some of the major

stakeholders, we should be able to submit the draft legislation to Parliament in

the monsoon session.

I have indicated my intent to introduce GST in the country with effect from 1st

April, 2011. Central Government is closely engaged with the Empowered Committee

of the State Finance Ministers in finalizing the GST design. Some of the States

apprehend that they may lose some revenue in the initial years of the GST

regime. Central Government is willing to provide compensation to the States for

these initial years, provided there is agreement on the broad framework for a

common threshold for Goods and Services between the Centre and the States;

common exemption lists between the Centre and the States; mechanism to check

deviations and acceptable level of overall GST rates. The design and modalities

of providing this compensation would be worked out in discussion with the State

Governments and the Empowered Committee.

Outlook for 2010-11

There are several factors that have emerged from the performance of the economy

in the recent period which augur well for the Indian economy. Attesting the

impressive recovery of the industrial sector, there is a revival in investment

and private consumption demand, though demand recovery is yet to attain the

pre-2008 momentum. The favourable capital

market conditions with improvement in capital flows and business

sentiments are also encouraging. There is also a significant pick-up in

corporate earnings and profits. The outlook is further brightened by the fact

that a normal monsoon is predicted this year

Going by these indications and considering that agriculture had a set-back in

2009-10 and is only gradually getting back to the projected path, the Indian

economy is expected to grow around 8.5 during 2010-11 and to breach the 9 per

cent mark in 2011-12.

Since the presentation of the Budget on 26th February, 2010, we have received a

large number of representations and suggestions both from trade and industry as

well as my colleagues in this august House. While some seek modifications to the

existing proposals, others have urged for fresh reliefs. Some valuable

suggestions were also made by the Hon’ble members during the general discussion

on the Budget in the first phase of this session. I expect to receive many more

suggestions in the course of the ensuing discussion on the Finance Bill. I shall

cover the reliefs we propose to grant, the amendments that we seek in the Bill

and our response to the issues that are raised in discussions, in my reply.

With these words, Madam Speaker, I move for consideration of the Finance Bill,

2010.”

read more...

Government is firmly committed to the goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes Code

Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s opening speech, delivered in the Lok Sabha today, at the beginning of consideration of the Finance Bill-2010, is as follows:



“As I rise to move the Finance Bill, 2010 for consideration of this august

House, it is with some satisfaction that I report the positive developments in

the Indian economy in the last few

months. The turnaround of the economy

which started in the second quarter of 2009-10 is likely to result in a growth

of 7.2 per cent for the full year 2009-10

as indicated in the Advance Estimates of the

Central Statistical Organization.

The upward shift in India’s growth trajectory has been anchored strongly in

robust growth in consumption. The salutary impact of the fiscal stimulus along

with the monetary measures implemented by the RBI, facilitated the growth

recovery by regenerating the investment

impulses and private spending.

In the Budget for 2010-11, I have initiated a partial roll back of stimulus

measures and a resumption of the fiscal consolidation process with fiscal

deficit at 5.5 per cent of GDP. The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement 2010-11

provides the roadmap with fiscal deficit declining to 4.8 per cent of GDP in

2011-12 and further to 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2012-13. A focus on bringing down

the level of public debt as envisaged in the Thirteenth Finance Commission’s

Report and as announced in the Budget for 2010-11 would anchor the fiscal

consolidation process in a sustainable debt framework

Inflation



The year 2009 started with low WPI inflation of 1.3 per cent in April, 2009,

which relapsed to the negative zone during June to August, 2009. The WPI

inflation turned positive in September 2009, thereafter, an upward trend has

been observed. Clearly, the current levels of inflation are elevated and more

generalized and the WPI inflation in March 2010 stood at 9.9 per cent. What has

led to deep concern is the double-digit food inflation. The gradual increase in

food inflation observed till December 2009 was due to expectations of

supply-side constraints of food items, especially due to unfavorable south-west

monsoon. As per the Second Advance Estimates of production of food grains for

2009-10, the total food grains production has been estimated at 216.85 million

tones, which is about 5 per cent lower than the second advance estimate of last

year.

The Government has utmost concern about the current price situation. We have

taken a number of short term and medium term measures to improve domestic

availability of essential commodities and

to moderate inflation. These include: reducing import duties for rice, wheat,

pulses, edible oils and sugar to zero; allowing import of raw sugar at zero duty

under open general licence; removing levy obligation for imported raw sugar and

white/ refined sugar; banning export of non-basmati rice, edible oils and pulses

and imposing stock limit orders in the case of paddy, rice, pulses, sugar,

edible oils and edible oilseeds. A Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central

Ministers has been constituted on 15th March, 2010 to discuss issues related to

prices of essential commodities. Besides, to protect the interest of poor and

vulnerable sections of the society, the

Central Issue Prices for rice and wheat have been kept unrevised at 2002 levels.

We have sufficient stocks of wheat and

rice to meet the demands of the Public Distribution System and other welfare

schemes. As on 15.4.2010, 25.4 millions of wheat in RMS 2009-10 and 25.9 million

tonnes of rice have been procured in KMS 2009-10 (October to September). The

Central Pool stock of wheat is at a high of 183.88 lakh tonnes and of rice at

269.50 lakh tonnes as on 1.3.2010.

In the case of pulses, the shortfall of domestic production has been made up by

higher imports. Considerable support has been provided to the Public

Distribution System. For pulses and edible oil, the Government is bearing a

subsidy of Rs.10 per kg. and Rs.15 per kg. respectively for distribution through

PDS/Fair Price Shops. The Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers

held its first meeting on 8th April, 2010. Three Working Groups consisting of

Chief Ministers of various States are now engaged in drawing up recommendations

on agricultural production, consumer affairs and food and public distribution.

The reports are expected by the middle of June, 2010.

Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible. There has been a

significant decline from the peak food inflation of over 20 per cent recorded in

December 2009 to 17.7 per cent in March 2010. Besides, the inflation in

essential commodities also declined from the peak of 23.8 per cent in January

2010 to 19.8 per cent in March 2010. It is expected that this decline would

continue in the recent months uninterruptedly.

The monetary policy stance has also been gradually fine-tuned by RBI to face the

inflationary challenges. The Repo Rate has been increased from 5 per cent to

5.25 per cent and Reverse Repo Rate from 3.50 per cent to 3.75 per cent. The CRR

has also been increased from 5.75 per cent to 6 per cent. These measures are

expected to anchor the inflationary expectations.

Growth Prospects

While the slowdown in agriculture, inflicted by the monsoon failure, poses

concern on the food and food prices front, the impressive recovery achieved by

the Indian industry in the recent months is heartening. The Index of Industrial

Production recorded a growth of 10.1 per cent during April-February 2009-10,

compared to 3.0 per cent during April-February 2008-09. While both manufacturing

and mining grew around 10 per cent, electricity grew at 5.8 per cent during

April-February 2009-10. All the major segments of industry except consumer

non-durables staged a strong recovery. The intermediate goods grew at 13.7 per

cent and consumer durables recorded an appreciable 25.5 per cent growth in

April- February 2009-10. The growth of capital goods at 18.2 per cent in April-

February 2009-10, on top of their reasonable growth in the previous year, is

indicative of the pickup in investment demand.

Tax Reform

I have already informed the House that the Government is firmly committed to the

goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes

Code (DTC) as well as the Goods and Services Tax

(GST). I am happy to inform the Hon’ble Members that, in the case of DTC, the

process of consultation with the stakeholders for revising the first draft is

almost over. We expect to place a revised Discussion Paper in the public domain

by next month. After a quick round of consultations with some of the major

stakeholders, we should be able to submit the draft legislation to Parliament in

the monsoon session.

I have indicated my intent to introduce GST in the country with effect from 1st

April, 2011. Central Government is closely engaged with the Empowered Committee

of the State Finance Ministers in finalizing the GST design. Some of the States

apprehend that they may lose some revenue in the initial years of the GST

regime. Central Government is willing to provide compensation to the States for

these initial years, provided there is agreement on the broad framework for a

common threshold for Goods and Services between the Centre and the States;

common exemption lists between the Centre and the States; mechanism to check

deviations and acceptable level of overall GST rates. The design and modalities

of providing this compensation would be worked out in discussion with the State

Governments and the Empowered Committee.

Outlook for 2010-11

There are several factors that have emerged from the performance of the economy

in the recent period which augur well for the Indian economy. Attesting the

impressive recovery of the industrial sector, there is a revival in investment

and private consumption demand, though demand recovery is yet to attain the

pre-2008 momentum. The favourable capital

market conditions with improvement in capital flows and business

sentiments are also encouraging. There is also a significant pick-up in

corporate earnings and profits. The outlook is further brightened by the fact

that a normal monsoon is predicted this year

Going by these indications and considering that agriculture had a set-back in

2009-10 and is only gradually getting back to the projected path, the Indian

economy is expected to grow around 8.5 during 2010-11 and to breach the 9 per

cent mark in 2011-12.

Since the presentation of the Budget on 26th February, 2010, we have received a

large number of representations and suggestions both from trade and industry as

well as my colleagues in this august House. While some seek modifications to the

existing proposals, others have urged for fresh reliefs. Some valuable

suggestions were also made by the Hon’ble members during the general discussion

on the Budget in the first phase of this session. I expect to receive many more

suggestions in the course of the ensuing discussion on the Finance Bill. I shall

cover the reliefs we propose to grant, the amendments that we seek in the Bill

and our response to the issues that are raised in discussions, in my reply.

With these words, Madam Speaker, I move for consideration of the Finance Bill,

2010.”

read more...

NEWS FROM PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

FM’S Opening Speech at Consideration of Finance Bill-2010



Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s opening speech, delivered in the Lok Sabha today, at the beginning of consideration of the Finance Bill-2010, is as follows:



“As I rise to move the Finance Bill, 2010 for consideration of this august House, it is with some satisfaction that I report the positive developments in the Indian economy in the last few months. The turnaround of the economy which started in the second quarter of 2009-10 is likely to result in a growth of 7.2 per cent for the full year 2009-10 as indicated in the Advance Estimates of the Central Statistical Organisation.



The upward shift in India’s growth trajectory has been anchored strongly in robust growth in consumption. The salutary impact of the fiscal stimulus along with the monetary measures implemented by the RBI, facilitated the growth recovery by regenerating the investment impulses and private spending.



In the Budget for 2010-11, I have initiated a partial roll back of stimulus measures and a resumption of the fiscal consolidation process with fiscal deficit at 5.5 per cent of GDP. The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement 2010-11 provides the roadmap with fiscal deficit declining to 4.8 per cent of GDP in 2011-12 and further to 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2012-13. A focus on bringing down the level of public debt as envisaged in the Thirteenth Finance Commission’s Report and as announced in the Budget for 2010-11 would anchor the fiscal consolidation process in a sustainable debt framework



Inflation



The year 2009 started with low WPI inflation of 1.3 per cent in April, 2009, which relapsed to the negative zone during June to August, 2009. The WPI inflation turned positive in September 2009, thereafter, an upward trend has been observed. Clearly, the current levels of inflation are elevated and more generalized and the WPI inflation in March 2010 stood at 9.9 per cent. What has led to deep concern is the double-digit food inflation. The gradual increase in food inflation observed till December 2009 was due to expectations of supply-side constraints of food items, especially due to unfavorable south-west monsoon. As per the Second Advance Estimates of production of food grains for 2009-10, the total food grains production has been estimated at 216.85 million tones, which is about 5 per cent lower than the second advance estimate of last year.



The Government has utmost concern about the current price situation. We have taken a number of short term and medium term measures to improve domestic availability of essential commodities and to moderate inflation. These include: reducing import duties for rice, wheat, pulses, edible oils and sugar to zero; allowing import of raw sugar at zero duty under open general licence; removing levy obligation for imported raw sugar and white/ refined sugar; banning export of non-basmati rice, edible oils and pulses and imposing stock limit orders in the case of paddy, rice, pulses, sugar, edible oils and edible oilseeds. A Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers has been constituted on 15th March, 2010 to discuss issues related to prices of essential commodities. Besides, to protect the interest of poor and vulnerable sections of the society, the Central Issue Prices for rice and wheat have been kept unrevised at 2002 levels.



We have sufficient stocks of wheat and rice to meet the demands of the Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes. As on 15.4.2010, 25.4 millions of wheat in RMS 2009-10 and 25.9 million tonnes of rice have been procured in KMS 2009-10 (October to September). The Central Pool stock of wheat is at a high of 183.88 lakh tonnes and of rice at 269.50 lakh tonnes as on 1.3.2010.



In the case of pulses, the shortfall of domestic production has been made up by higher imports. Considerable support has been provided to the Public Distribution System. For pulses and edible oil, the Government is bearing a subsidy of Rs.10 per kg. and Rs.15 per kg. respectively for distribution through PDS/Fair Price Shops. The Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers held its first meeting on 8th April, 2010. Three Working Groups consisting of Chief Ministers of various States are now engaged in drawing up recommendations on agricultural production, consumer affairs and food and public distribution. The reports are expected by the middle of June, 2010.



Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible. There has been a significant decline from the peak food inflation of over 20 per cent recorded in December 2009 to 17.7 per cent in March 2010. Besides, the inflation in essential commodities also declined from the peak of 23.8 per cent in January 2010 to 19.8 per cent in March 2010. It is expected that this decline would continue in the recent months uninterruptedly.



The monetary policy stance has also been gradually fine-tuned by RBI to face the inflationary challenges. The Repo Rate has been increased from 5 per cent to 5.25 per cent and Reverse Repo Rate from 3.50 per cent to 3.75 per cent. The CRR has also been increased from 5.75 per cent to 6 per cent. These measures are expected to anchor the inflationary expectations.



Growth Prospects



While the slowdown in agriculture, inflicted by the monsoon failure, poses concern on the food and food prices front, the impressive recovery achieved by the Indian industry in the recent months is heartening. The Index of Industrial Production recorded a growth of 10.1 per cent during April-February 2009-10, compared to 3.0 per cent during April-February 2008-09. While both manufacturing and mining grew around 10 per cent, electricity grew at 5.8 per cent during April-February 2009-10. All the major segments of industry except consumer non-durables staged a strong recovery. The intermediate goods grew at 13.7 per cent and consumer durables recorded an appreciable 25.5 per cent growth in April- February 2009-10. The growth of capital goods at 18.2 per cent in April- February 2009-10, on top of their reasonable growth in the previous year, is indicative of the pickup in investment demand.



Tax Reform



I have already informed the House that the Government is firmly committed to the goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) as well as the Goods and Services Tax (GST). I am happy to inform the Hon’ble Members that, in the case of DTC, the process of consultation with the stakeholders for revising the first draft is almost over. We expect to place a revised Discussion Paper in the public domain by next month. After a quick round of consultations with some of the major stakeholders, we should be able to submit the draft legislation to Parliament in the monsoon session.



I have indicated my intent to introduce GST in the country with effect from 1st April, 2011. Central Government is closely engaged with the Empowered Committee of the State Finance Ministers in finalizing the GST design. Some of the States apprehend that they may lose some revenue in the initial years of the GST regime. Central Government is willing to provide compensation to the States for these initial years, provided there is agreement on the broad framework for a common threshold for Goods and Services between the Centre and the States; common exemption lists between the Centre and the States; mechanism to check deviations and acceptable level of overall GST rates. The design and modalities of providing this compensation would be worked out in discussion with the State Governments and the Empowered Committee.



Outlook for 2010-11



There are several factors that have emerged from the performance of the economy in the recent period which augur well for the Indian economy. Attesting the impressive recovery of the industrial sector, there is a revival in investment and private consumption demand, though demand recovery is yet to attain the pre-2008 momentum. The favourable capital market conditions with improvement in capital flows and business sentiments are also encouraging. There is also a significant pick-up in corporate earnings and profits. The outlook is further brightened by the fact that a normal monsoon is predicted this year.



Going by these indications and considering that agriculture had a set-back in 2009-10 and is only gradually getting back to the projected path, the Indian economy is expected to grow around 8.5 during 2010-11 and to breach the 9 per cent mark in 2011-12.



Since the presentation of the Budget on 26th February, 2010, we have received a large number of representations and suggestions both from trade and industry as well as my colleagues in this august House. While some seek modifications to the existing proposals, others have urged for fresh reliefs. Some valuable suggestions were also made by the Hon’ble members during the general discussion on the Budget in the first phase of this session. I expect to receive many more suggestions in the course of the ensuing discussion on the Finance Bill. I shall cover the reliefs we propose to grant, the amendments that we seek in the Bill and our response to the issues that are raised in discussions, in my reply.



With these words, Madam Speaker, I move for consideration of the Finance Bill, 2010.”


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NEWS FROM PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

FM’S Opening Speech at Consideration of Finance Bill-2010



Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s opening speech, delivered in the Lok Sabha today, at the beginning of consideration of the Finance Bill-2010, is as follows:



“As I rise to move the Finance Bill, 2010 for consideration of this august House, it is with some satisfaction that I report the positive developments in the Indian economy in the last few months. The turnaround of the economy which started in the second quarter of 2009-10 is likely to result in a growth of 7.2 per cent for the full year 2009-10 as indicated in the Advance Estimates of the Central Statistical Organisation.



The upward shift in India’s growth trajectory has been anchored strongly in robust growth in consumption. The salutary impact of the fiscal stimulus along with the monetary measures implemented by the RBI, facilitated the growth recovery by regenerating the investment impulses and private spending.



In the Budget for 2010-11, I have initiated a partial roll back of stimulus measures and a resumption of the fiscal consolidation process with fiscal deficit at 5.5 per cent of GDP. The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement 2010-11 provides the roadmap with fiscal deficit declining to 4.8 per cent of GDP in 2011-12 and further to 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2012-13. A focus on bringing down the level of public debt as envisaged in the Thirteenth Finance Commission’s Report and as announced in the Budget for 2010-11 would anchor the fiscal consolidation process in a sustainable debt framework



Inflation



The year 2009 started with low WPI inflation of 1.3 per cent in April, 2009, which relapsed to the negative zone during June to August, 2009. The WPI inflation turned positive in September 2009, thereafter, an upward trend has been observed. Clearly, the current levels of inflation are elevated and more generalized and the WPI inflation in March 2010 stood at 9.9 per cent. What has led to deep concern is the double-digit food inflation. The gradual increase in food inflation observed till December 2009 was due to expectations of supply-side constraints of food items, especially due to unfavorable south-west monsoon. As per the Second Advance Estimates of production of food grains for 2009-10, the total food grains production has been estimated at 216.85 million tones, which is about 5 per cent lower than the second advance estimate of last year.



The Government has utmost concern about the current price situation. We have taken a number of short term and medium term measures to improve domestic availability of essential commodities and to moderate inflation. These include: reducing import duties for rice, wheat, pulses, edible oils and sugar to zero; allowing import of raw sugar at zero duty under open general licence; removing levy obligation for imported raw sugar and white/ refined sugar; banning export of non-basmati rice, edible oils and pulses and imposing stock limit orders in the case of paddy, rice, pulses, sugar, edible oils and edible oilseeds. A Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers has been constituted on 15th March, 2010 to discuss issues related to prices of essential commodities. Besides, to protect the interest of poor and vulnerable sections of the society, the Central Issue Prices for rice and wheat have been kept unrevised at 2002 levels.



We have sufficient stocks of wheat and rice to meet the demands of the Public Distribution System and other welfare schemes. As on 15.4.2010, 25.4 millions of wheat in RMS 2009-10 and 25.9 million tonnes of rice have been procured in KMS 2009-10 (October to September). The Central Pool stock of wheat is at a high of 183.88 lakh tonnes and of rice at 269.50 lakh tonnes as on 1.3.2010.



In the case of pulses, the shortfall of domestic production has been made up by higher imports. Considerable support has been provided to the Public Distribution System. For pulses and edible oil, the Government is bearing a subsidy of Rs.10 per kg. and Rs.15 per kg. respectively for distribution through PDS/Fair Price Shops. The Core Group of Chief Ministers and Central Ministers held its first meeting on 8th April, 2010. Three Working Groups consisting of Chief Ministers of various States are now engaged in drawing up recommendations on agricultural production, consumer affairs and food and public distribution. The reports are expected by the middle of June, 2010.



Indications of softening of food inflation are clearly visible. There has been a significant decline from the peak food inflation of over 20 per cent recorded in December 2009 to 17.7 per cent in March 2010. Besides, the inflation in essential commodities also declined from the peak of 23.8 per cent in January 2010 to 19.8 per cent in March 2010. It is expected that this decline would continue in the recent months uninterruptedly.



The monetary policy stance has also been gradually fine-tuned by RBI to face the inflationary challenges. The Repo Rate has been increased from 5 per cent to 5.25 per cent and Reverse Repo Rate from 3.50 per cent to 3.75 per cent. The CRR has also been increased from 5.75 per cent to 6 per cent. These measures are expected to anchor the inflationary expectations.



Growth Prospects



While the slowdown in agriculture, inflicted by the monsoon failure, poses concern on the food and food prices front, the impressive recovery achieved by the Indian industry in the recent months is heartening. The Index of Industrial Production recorded a growth of 10.1 per cent during April-February 2009-10, compared to 3.0 per cent during April-February 2008-09. While both manufacturing and mining grew around 10 per cent, electricity grew at 5.8 per cent during April-February 2009-10. All the major segments of industry except consumer non-durables staged a strong recovery. The intermediate goods grew at 13.7 per cent and consumer durables recorded an appreciable 25.5 per cent growth in April- February 2009-10. The growth of capital goods at 18.2 per cent in April- February 2009-10, on top of their reasonable growth in the previous year, is indicative of the pickup in investment demand.



Tax Reform



I have already informed the House that the Government is firmly committed to the goal of comprehensive tax reform through the introduction of the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) as well as the Goods and Services Tax (GST). I am happy to inform the Hon’ble Members that, in the case of DTC, the process of consultation with the stakeholders for revising the first draft is almost over. We expect to place a revised Discussion Paper in the public domain by next month. After a quick round of consultations with some of the major stakeholders, we should be able to submit the draft legislation to Parliament in the monsoon session.



I have indicated my intent to introduce GST in the country with effect from 1st April, 2011. Central Government is closely engaged with the Empowered Committee of the State Finance Ministers in finalizing the GST design. Some of the States apprehend that they may lose some revenue in the initial years of the GST regime. Central Government is willing to provide compensation to the States for these initial years, provided there is agreement on the broad framework for a common threshold for Goods and Services between the Centre and the States; common exemption lists between the Centre and the States; mechanism to check deviations and acceptable level of overall GST rates. The design and modalities of providing this compensation would be worked out in discussion with the State Governments and the Empowered Committee.



Outlook for 2010-11



There are several factors that have emerged from the performance of the economy in the recent period which augur well for the Indian economy. Attesting the impressive recovery of the industrial sector, there is a revival in investment and private consumption demand, though demand recovery is yet to attain the pre-2008 momentum. The favourable capital market conditions with improvement in capital flows and business sentiments are also encouraging. There is also a significant pick-up in corporate earnings and profits. The outlook is further brightened by the fact that a normal monsoon is predicted this year.



Going by these indications and considering that agriculture had a set-back in 2009-10 and is only gradually getting back to the projected path, the Indian economy is expected to grow around 8.5 during 2010-11 and to breach the 9 per cent mark in 2011-12.



Since the presentation of the Budget on 26th February, 2010, we have received a large number of representations and suggestions both from trade and industry as well as my colleagues in this august House. While some seek modifications to the existing proposals, others have urged for fresh reliefs. Some valuable suggestions were also made by the Hon’ble members during the general discussion on the Budget in the first phase of this session. I expect to receive many more suggestions in the course of the ensuing discussion on the Finance Bill. I shall cover the reliefs we propose to grant, the amendments that we seek in the Bill and our response to the issues that are raised in discussions, in my reply.



With these words, Madam Speaker, I move for consideration of the Finance Bill, 2010.”


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