Union Budget of India 2021-2022

FM Nirmala Sitharaman began her Union Budget 2021 speech at 11 am Monday amid heckling by parliamentarians. Among big-ticket measures, FM proposed a Rs 64,180-crore Aatmanirbhar Swastha Bharat scheme in view of the pandemic. 
"Only three times has the Budget followed a contraction in the economy. This time, unlike before, the situation is due to a global pandemic. Budget 2021 provides every opportunity for the economy to capture the pace and grow sustainably," she began. 
The Budget 2021 proposals rest on six pillars —health & well-being, physical & financial capital & infrastructure, inclusive development for aspirational India, reinvigorating human capital, innovation & research & development, minimum government and maximum governance, she added. 
Benchmark stock indices Nifty and Sensex gave a thumbs up to government's 'expansionary budget' as FM Sitharaman chose the path of additional borrowing instead of taxing the super-rich or raising taxes on high-income individuals.  
The FM had earlier promised a "never before" budget not seen in a hundred years to ward off the economic devastation caused by a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic which rendered millions out of jobs, shuttered scores of small businesses and snuffed the spending power of the bottom of pyramid populace. 
FM said the government will borrow about Rs 12 lakh crore in FY22, adding that the expenditure for the next fiscal has been pegged at Rs 34.83 lakh crore, which includes Rs 5.54 lakh crore of capital expenditure. The fiscal deficit for FY21 was pegged at 9.5% of GDP and will come down to 6.8 per cent in FY22, she added. 
The FM added that the government will approach the market to borrow an additional Rs 80,000 crore to fund the FY21 fiscal deficit. Ref: Excerpt from speech

Key Takeaways Across Sectors

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, while reading out the Budget 2021-22, she announced a slew of measures to revive the Indian economy and announced the total size of the 2021-22 budget at Rs 34.83 lakh crore.

1) Health and Well Being:

a) Total allocation: Rs 2,23,846 crore (138% increase than previous Budget).
b) PM Aatmanirbhar Swastha Bharat: Rs 64,180 crore over 6 years.
c) Urban Swachcha Bharat Mission: Rs 1,41,678 crore over 5 years.
d) Voluntary vehicle scrapping policy. Vehicles will undergo fitness tests after 20 years for PVs, 15 years for CVs.

2) Manufacturing:

a) Capital expenditure for FY 21-22: Rs 5.54 lakh crore
b) Mega Investment Textiles Parks over 3 years, in addition to PLI.
c) Bill to set-up a Development Finance Institution (DFI), capitalised with Rs 20,000 crore.
d) DFI for infrastructure financing: Bill will be passed to set up the DFI with a target lending portfolio of Rs 5 lakh crore in 3 years
e) Capital expenditure for FY 21-22: Rs 5.54 lakh crore (an increase by 34.5% YoY).
f) To launch National Monetisation Pipeline for brownfield projects, NHAI and PGCIL have sponsored one InvIT each

3) Roads Connectivity:

a) Allotment to Ministry of Road Transport & Highways: Rs 1.18 lakh crore.
b) To award 8,500-km of highways by March 2022 and 11,000-km of national highway corridor to be completed.
c) Highway works proposed:
 i) 3,500 km corridor in Tamil Nadu.
 ii) 1,100 km in Kerala at investment of Rs 65,000 crore.
 iii) 675 km in West Bengal at a cost of Rs 95,000 crore.
 iv) 1,300 km in Assam in the next 3 years.
d) 3500 km of national highway work being planned in Tamil Nadu at an estimated investment of Rs 1.3 lakh crore.
e) 1500 km of national highway work being planned in Kerala at a cost of Rs 65,000 crore.
f) Government to undertake future freight corridor development projects.
g) The govt to work towards raising the share of public transport with an outlay of Rs 18,000 crore.

4) Railways:
Total allocation: Rs 1,10,055 crore.

5) Power:

a) Scheme to assist Discoms will be launched: Outlay over Rs 3 lakh crore.
b) Ujjwala scheme to be expanded to over 1 crore more beneficiaries.
c) City gas distribution network to be expanded to 100 more districts.
d) Independent gas network operator will be set up.

6) Disinvestment:

a) Divestment target for FY22: Rs 1.75 lakh crore.
b) Proposal to strategically divest 2 PSU banks & 1 general insurance co.
c) Proposal to take up 2 PSBs and one general insurer for divestment.
d) To bring IPO of LIC in FY22.
e) Approved policy for divestment in strategic and non-strategic sectors.
f) Set up a separate administrative structure for cooperatives.
g) Approval policy for divestment in strategic and non-strategic sectors.
h) Non-core assets like surplus land will be monetised. SPVs will be set up to carry out this activity.

7) Startups/MSMEs:

a) Innovators would be allowed to form 1-person companies without restrictions, paid-up capital, or turnover norms.
b) Govts says provided Rs 15,700 crore to MSME sector, more than 2x of the previous year.
c) Proposal to reduce the margin money requirement from 25% to 15% doe Stand Up India for SCs, STs, and women, and to also include loans for activities allied to agriculture.
d) Proposal to provide Rs 1,000 crores for the welfare of Tea workers especially women and their children in Assam and West Bengal. A special scheme will be devised for the same.

8) Agriculture and Allied Services:

a) For wheat procurement in 2020-21 to farmers: Rs 75,060 crore.
b) Enhanced agriculture credit target for FY22. Additional allocations for rural infrastructure & irrigation.
c) Micro-irrigation corpus doubled to Rs 10,000 crore.
d) Agriculture infra funds will be made available to APMCs.
e) Rural infra fund increased to Rs 40,000 crore.
f) Set up multi seaweed park in Tamil Nadu.

9) Social security:

a) '1 Nation 1 Ration Card' plan under implementation by 32 states & UTs. To launch a portal to collect data on migrant workers.
b) Social security benefits will be extended to gig and platform workers.
c) To launch a portal to collect data on migrant workers.
d) Social security benefits will be extended to gig economy workers.
e) Women will be allowed to work in all areas and in night shifts.

10) Education and Skill Development:

a) Introduction of legislation for setting up of higher education commission. Will set up a central university in Leh.
b) 15,000 schools to be strengthened as per National Education Policy 
c) 100 new Sainik schools to be set up in partnership with NGOs.
d) Raise allocation for 'Eklavya' schools to Rs 38 crore & Rs 40 crore in hilly areas.
e) For skill initiatives for the youth: Rs 3,000 crore to be set aside.
f) National Research Foundation to be allocated Rs 50,000 crore over 5 years.

11) Digital Payments:

a) To boost digital payments.
b) For financial incentives for digital payments: Rs 1,500 crore earmarked.
c) NRF to get Rs 50,000 crore over 5 years. NRF will focus on the Research system being strengthened in the industry.

12) Expenditure target:

a) FY21 revised expenditure target: Rs 34.50 lakh crore.
b) Govt to approach the market for additional Rs 80,000 crore to fund the FY21 fiscal deficit.
c) Fiscal deficit will reach below 4.5% by FY26.
d) Gross market borrowing target at Rs 12 lakh crore for FY22.
e) 41% devolution to states retained.
f) Contingency Fund of India to be enhanced: Rs 30,000 cr.
g) Propose to discontinue loans to FCI. Have provided support in budget.
h) 15th Finance Commission reconfirming share of States at 41%.
i) Fiscal deficit in the revised estimate for FY21 pegged at 9.5% of GDP
j) Need another Rs 80,000 crore for FY21.
k) Will approach market in next the 2 months for the additional Rs 80,000 crore.
l) Fiscal Deficit Estimated at 6.8% for FY22.
m) Gross Borrowing Estimated at around Rs 12 lakh crore for FY22
n) Will look to bring the fiscal deficit below 4.5% by 2025-2026 (FY26).
o) Expect a fairly decent decline of Fiscal Deficit up to FY26.

13) Income Tax:

a) Senior citizens above 75 years with only pension and interest income exempted from filing returns.
b) Reopening of tax cases only till after 3 years Vs 6 years earlier.
c) To set-up a faceless dispute resolution mechanism for small taxpayers.
d) To make Income Tax Appellate Tribunal faceless.
e) Proposal to Propose to increase the threshold for tax audit to Rs 10 crore Vs Rs 5 crore (for those transacting 95% digitally).

14) Affordable Housing:

a) Affordable housing deduction extended by one year to FY22.
b) Tax exemption to notified rental housing projects
c) Notified infra debt funds to be eligible to raise tax-efficient zero-coupon bonds.

15) Other Taxes:

a) FPI to get a deduction of tax on the dividend at a lower treaty rate.
b) Tax exemption for aircraft leasing companies. Tax holiday for Aircraft leasing business in Gift city.
c) Details of cap gains, div income, interest income to be pre-filled in tax forms.
d) Late deposit of employee’s contribution will not be allowed as a deduction for the employer.
e) Extension of cap gains tax exemption for investment into start-ups by another year.
f) Delayed contribution of EPF by an employer for the employee will not be allowed as a deduction.
g) Proposal to review more than 400 old exemptions in customs this year.
h) To put into place new customs duty structure by Oct-1, 2021.
i) Withdrawal of exemptions on some parts of mobile phones. Some parts of mobiles to move from NIL to 2.5% rate.
j) Exemption of duty on steel scrap for a specified period. Revocation of ADD and CVD on certain steel products.
k) Cut in duty on copper scrap 2.5% from 5%.
l) Cut in Basic Customs Duty rate on nylon chips & nylon fiber.
m) Rationalisation of customs duties on gold and silver.
n) Introduction of a phased manufacturing plan for solar cells & panels.
o) Withdrawal of exemption on tunnel boring machines, to be taxed at 7.5%.
p) Increase in customs duties on some auto parts.
q) Withdrawal of exemption on certain kinds of leather imports.
r) Raise in customs duty on cotton and raw silk. Ref: Key Takeaways

Industry Reviews

- Bullion industry lauds the move of the government to cut customs duty on gold and silver, which was a long-standing demand of the industry. Government has announced in the Budget 2021 to reduce import duty on precious metals to 7.5% from 12.5%. However, both will attract 2.5% of agriculture infrastructure and development cess. 

- Being the world's second-largest gold consumer, India imports the bulk of its gold and silver requirements. Since the prices of precious metals have surged sharply in 2020, physical demand plummeted and imports have tumbled to multi-year lows. The total levy on gold currently is at 15.5 per cent, including GST. With reduced duty, the cost will come down, which is a big positive in long term for the demand outlook of gold. 

- Startups, their employees and investors, including venture capital and private equity funds, had a lot of expectations from the Union Budget 2021, while some measures were announced, there was a lot left to be desired as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman focused on healthcare and infrastructure spending in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Though there were no announcements which put the industry into a frenzy—like a proposed ban on cryptocurrencies two years ago and the angel tax issue—a lot of areas where founders and investors expected reform did not happen, while the areas the government did address seem to be incremental, writes M Sriram.

- The Budget has proposed to set the ball rolling for a long term strong growth with focus on infrastructure and banking reforms. The inclusion of off balance sheet items also signals a clear intention of the government towards a transparent accounting. Ref: moneycontrol

Budget Highlights 2021: Top 5 takeaways for taxpayers

1. No tax burden on senior citizens above 75

2. Tax assessment can be re-opened only up to 3 years

3. Dispute Resolution Committee for small taxpayers

4. Additional deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh for purchasing affordable house.

5. Relief from double taxation for NRIs

Direct Tax Proposals

Certain direct tax proposals were introduced, providing relaxation to individual taxpayers and startups to some extent. The individual and corporate tax rates for FY 2021-22 (AY 2022-23) was left unchanged. In a major move, the limit for tax audits under section 44AB has been increased from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore (only where 95% of payments are digitised), providing relief to many corporate houses. The following are other proposed amendments:

# IT relaxation for senior citizens of 75 years age and above:
It has been proposed to exempt the senior citizens from filing income tax returns if pension income and interest income are their only annual income source. Section 194P has been newly inserted to enforce the banks to deduct tax on senior citizens more than 75 years of age who have a pension and interest income from the bank.

# Reduction in time for IT Proceedings:
Except in cases of serious tax evasion, assessment proceedings in the rest of the cases shall be reopened only up to three years, against the earlier time limit of six years.

# Constitution of ‘Dispute Resolution Committee’:
Those assessed with a taxable income of up to Rs.50 lakh (for small and medium taxpayers) and any disputed income of Rs.10 lakh can approach this committee under section 245MA. It will prevent new disputes and settle the issue at the initial stage.

# National Faceless Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Centre:
Provision is made for faceless proceedings before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) in a jurisdiction less manner. It will reduce the cost of compliance for taxpayers, and increase transparency in the disposal of appeals. Further, it will also help achieve even distribution of work in different benches and ensure efficient administration.

# Tax incentives to startups:
The tax holiday for startups has been extended by one more year up to 31st March 2022.

# Relaxations to NRI:
There is a proposal to notify rules for removing hardship for double taxation.

# Pre-filing of returns to be forefront:
Pre-filling will be allowed for salary, tax payments, TDS, etc. Further, details of capital gains from listed securities, dividend income, etc. will be prefilled.

# Advance Tax on dividend income:
Advance tax will henceforth be applicable on dividend income only after its declaration. Tax holidays are proposed for aircraft leasing and rental companies.

# Disallowance of PF contribution:
In case the employee’s PF contribution was deducted but not deposited by the employer, it will not be allowed as a deduction for the employer.

# Section 43CA stands amended:
The stamp duty value can be up to 120% (earlier 110%) of the consideration if the transfer of “residential unit”, which means an independent housing unit is made between 12th November 2020 and 30th June 2021.

# Amendment to Section 44ADA:
Section 44ADA applied to all the assessees being residents in India. Now onwards, it applies only to the resident individual, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) or a partnership firm, other than LLP.

# Section 80EEA deduction extended:
The affordable housing additional deduction was extended till 31st March 2022. The tax exemption has been granted for affordable rental projects. Ref: ClearTax

Proposals in the area of Personal Tax Ref: Infosys Newsletter

· Section 80EEA: Deduction of INR 1.5 lac in respect of interest on loan of certain house property can be claimed for loan sanctioned till 31 March 2022 (earlier it was 31 March 2021) in old tax regime.

· Advance Tax on dividend income: Advance tax liability on dividend income will arise only after declaration or payment of dividend.

· Interest income earned from the contribution exceeding INR 2.5 lakhs to Recognized & Employee Provident Fund and Public Provident fund from April 1, 2021 will be taxable.

· ULIP: Amount received under ULIP with premium exceeding Rs.2.5lac will be treated as capital assets and taxable under capital gain on redemption (exempt in case of death). This is for the policies issued after 1st Feb 2021.

· There is no changes in the Income tax slabs & tax regimes for individual.

· Senior Citizens >75 years of age are not required to file Income tax returns if there is only pension & interest income.

Congress Leader Chidambaram slams govt

Although the government has claimed a massive increase of 137 per cent in health allocation in Budget 2021, Congress leader P. Chidambaram lashed out at the Centre saying the figure was just a "conjurer's trick." Chidambaram further said that the government had only marginally raised health funding, which when adjusted to inflation becomes nil.

"The FM gave out a mind-boggling figure of Rs 2,23,846 crore for health, a breathtaking "rise" from the BE of the current year of Rs 94,452 crore. As I had warned, it was a conjurer's trick," he said. Chidambaram stated that "she (FM Sitharaman) added the one-time cost of vaccination ((Rs 35,000 crore) and the Finance Commission grants amounting to Rs 49,214 crore. She also included the allocations to the Department of Water and Sanitation." Ref: BusinessToday

Additional Notes

A1. LIC IPO: The FM announced plans to privatise 2 PSU banks and one general insurance company in FY22. The Govt will bring the long-awaited LIC IPO in FY22, adding that it plans to complete the divestments of BPCL, CONCOR and SCI in 2021-22

A2. Minimum Wages: Minimum wages will now apply to all categories of workers and women will be allowed to work in all categories with adequate protection. Ref: EconomicTimes

A3. Two PSBs, one GIC to be divested: Two Public Sector Banks and one general insurance company to be divested, legislations amendments to be introduced in this session, says FM Sitharaman.

A4. Coming to Jammu and Kashmir, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new gas pipeline project for the state.

A5. For Energy: Rs 1,000 crore to solar energy corporation and Rs 1,500 to renewable energy development agency were also announced. Ref: IndianExpress

Following is a list of imported items that will become costlier

* Compressors for refrigerators and air conditioners
* LED lamps, parts and spares such as printed circuit board
* Raw silk and cotton,
* Solar invertors and lanterns
* Automobile parts such as safety and toughened glasses
* Windscreen wipers
* Signalling equipment
* Mobile phone parts like PCBA
* Camera module
* Connectors
* Back cover, side keys, Mobile phone charger  components
* Inputs or raw materials of Lithiumion battery
* Ink cartridges and ink spray nozzle
* Finished leather products
* Nylon Fibre and Yarn, Plastic builder wares
* Cut and polished synthetic stones, including cut and polished cubic zirconia Ref: List of Costlier Items

Other Links
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