Beyond Budget Headlines: Govt should standardise income-tax rates, widen base

The year 2020 was no ordinary year and so the Budget 2021 will also not be an ordinary budget. We have had enough indication from the government that the public spending momentum will continue and fiscal deficit will not be a big cause of worry for the Finance Minister. But what should Budget do to boost investment and spur economic recovery? Don't underestimate the importance of increasing investment, says Business Standard's in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya, as the demand recovery will require more investment to be made. Watch the fourth episode of our special pre-Budget video series, Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB, to also learn why shrinking tax base is a huge challenge and bank recapitalisation is the need of the hour.