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From 6 pillars of Budget 2021 to tax proposals: Decoding the fineprint

In her Budget speech that lasted for around 1 hour and 45 minutes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman doled out enormous amounts for railways, roadways, health care, education as well as the agriculture sector. Besides, the finance minister laid out a new import structure along with proposals for a conducive environment to usher in investments into FinTech, insurance and Start-ups. Further, the minister set aside Rs 20,000 crore for public sector bank re-capitalisation and gave a push to digital payments and research in Artificial Intelligence. Business Standard's Shrimi Choudhary analyses the key announcements made by the finance minister in this video.

Beyond headlines: The various elements of the Budget & what they mean to us

Did you know that the finance minister's Budget speech has no legal sanctity in India? Yes, there is no provision for the Budget speech under the Constitution of India or any law. It is in addition to what is provided under various laws. Technically, once the FM has presented the three key documents, the Budget exercise is over, says our in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya in his special video series Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB, as he explains the important areas that we should focus on while listening to the finance minister's speech. Union Budget 2021-22 which will be presented on 1st February 2021 will be the first budget in the history of India in the paperless form. >

Beyond Budget Headlines: Oil sector may come to the govt's rescue this year

Every Budget has something to offer for the oil sector. Oil prices have been rising because of global demand amid a stringent environment of regulations. So, what is Budget 2021 going to do for the oil sector? Boosting revenue collection will be a challenge if oil prices rise and the government has to roll back excise duty hikes, says our in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya. He also points out that the disinvestment revenue that can be mobilised from the oil sector will be a key factor for Budget. In the seventh episode of Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB, Business Standard’s special video series in the run-up to Budget 2021, we also discuss the expenditure side challenges to the Budget, how to boost foreign investment, and opportunities in Budget to boost jobs and growth.

Beyond Budget Headlines: Raising tax exemption limit a 'dangerous' proposal

The Budget is going paperless. The move was expected, as printing documents during Covid pandemic is problematic. So, how should people access the documents? In the sixth episode of ‘Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB’, Business Standard’s special video series in the run-up to Budget 2021, we also discuss the speculation and consequences of raising the tax exemption limit and the possibilities of implementing a Covid cess or surcharge. The move of raising exemption limit could see income tax rates increasing for those earning above Rs 5 lakh, says our in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya, as he terms it a 'dangerous' proposal. Spurring demand or increasing investments -- what is the bigger challenge for the Finance Minister in this Budget? Watch this episode to learn why it would be prudent for the government to allocate more for capital expenditure

What Bird Flu can do to you and industry: Explained in simplest manner

Parts of country have imposed a temporary ban on sale and storage of poultry or processed chicken meat in view of the bird flu situation. As many as 238 birds including chickens were reported dead in Maharashtra on Wednesday and samples have been sent to the labs to check if avian influenza was the cause. Other states too have either confirmed cases or have sent samples for testing. What is the status now and is it a panic situation for people and industry? Watch the explainer video

Beyond Budget Headlines: Health & education deserve more outlay, attention

Healthcare and education are some of the important sectors that are usually not given the attention they deserve in India’s Union Budgets. It has been so for many years. But the situation this time is different. At a time when the country – indeed, the entire world – is working to tide over a health crisis presented by the coronavirus pandemic, will Budget 2021 make a departure from the trend and place its expenditure focus on these sectors? In the fifth episode of ‘Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB’, Business Standard’s special video series in the run-up to Budget 2021, we discuss about the expenditure side of the Budget and look at sectors that have traditionally not been India's top expense areas but are now in the spotlight because of recent developments. The government needs to loosen its purse string in this pandemic Budget and spend more on the health sector, says our in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya.

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.

Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB: Why bad banks are a bad, bad idea

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been saying that Budget 2021 will not be like any other before. What might that mean? Coming against the backdrop of a pandemic that has, arguably, wrecked the economy like never before, it could mean she has more big-ticket relief measures up her sleeve. But it could also mean, says Business Standard's in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya, that she is preparing the nation for something unpleasant -- something like a one-time Covid tax to raise additional funds to push through more spending and help expedite economic recovery. Watch this video to also learn which big schemes could get more funding and which the axe, and if setting up multiple bad banks would be a good idea.

Beyond Headlines: Govt must invest in small-gestation projects to expedite recovery

Many think that the Narendra Modi government has spent a lot this year, especially to mitigate issues faced by people in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. But has it? It’s true that the government has announced stimulus packages to the tune of Rs 30 trillion. But if one were to make a comparison, the govt expenditure this year (till October-end) was roughly the same as last year. Given that expenditure was budgeted to be 13 per cent more this year, it is expected that the finance minister will spend more to expedite economic recovery. But where should she spend? Infrastructure, many say. Yes, of course the government should spend on infrastructure, but will that yield immediate benefits? Watch the video to learn more >

Can Odisha model of decentralised procurement be an alternative for farmers?

Farmers' protest over direct impact on the minimum support price (MSP)-based procurement mechanism: In the decentralised mechanism, the state government undertakes direct purchase of paddy or rice and wheat, and also stores and distributes foodgrain under the Food Security Act and other welfare schemes. Sanjeeb Mukherjee looks at how the Odisha model of decentralised procurement has a few key advantages, but certain challenges, too.

Beyond headlines: Will Budget 2021 be pandemic Budget or lockdown Budget?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2021 is set to be one of the most important Budgets in India’s history. Even if the economic growth was flagging for a couple of quarters before the coronavirus struck, the pandemic and the nationwide lockdowns to contain its spread dealt a body blow to economic activities. Coming as it against this backdrop, the Budget will be keenly watched by all for more policy moves to prop up the economy. In the first of a series of videos in the run-up to the Budget, Business Standard Editorial Director A K Bhattacharya gives his expert views on what to expect from this Budget.

Three Facts with AKB: Now, FY21 GDP contraction is nearly certain for India

The rate of India’s GDP contraction in the July-September quarter of 2020-21 has come down to a respectable 7.5 per cent, after an unprecedented 24 per cent contraction in the previous quarter. While this is a positive sign, reflecting the onset of an economic revival, it’s not all good news. The bad news is that now it is almost impossible for the country to register a growth in GDP this financial year. In order to avoid a negative growth in full 2020-21, India will need to register a real GDP growth of over 15 per cent in each of the two remaining quarters. That may just not be possible in the present economic scenario. >

Bihar election results: Key questions on Nitish, BJP and Tejashwi answered

Bihar election results 2020: The ruling NDA in Bihar is ahead of its rivals in more than half of the state's 243 assembly seats, with the BJP appearing set to outperform its senior alliance partner JD(U) headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, according to trends available so far. So the obvious question that comes to mind is - will Nitish Kumar remain chief minister in case NDA wins Bihar polls? Business Standard's Aditi Phadnis explains the outcome of the elections and its impact on leaders, parties and also the state.

Another stimulus, economy back on track? Finance Secy interview highlights

The government's tax collections have picked up and high-frequency activity indicators continue to improve on the back of the government's targeted Covid-19 stimulus, Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey said. He also said the generation of e-way bills, needed for transportation of goods, is back to pre-Covid levels and online payments have risen exponentially. Collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST), levied when a product is consumed or a service is rendered, has risen for the second month in a row.

India GDP numbers out today: Facts and analyses

Months after the coronavirus induced lockdown and the follow up unlock, India's GDP will be out today. The numbers will paint the extent of damage to the economy and give an idea of the critical course correction required. Watch video for more

Unlock BFSI 2.0: Fintech — All roads lead to the digital world

In this special Business Standard webinar, India's biggest leaders in financial technology space discuss the importance of digital technology for the financial services sector

Unlock BFSI 2.0: Will Rural India be the new driver of growth?

In this special Business Standard webinar, India's biggest leaders in banking and financial services discuss whether and how rural India could prove to be the next growth driver >

RBI is ahead of the curve, govt and bureaucracy behind: Viral Acharya

Former RBI deputy governor Viral Acharya, who has in his latest book, Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India, described how fiscal dominance is the biggest bane of the banking system in the country, tells Tamal Bandyopadhyay in an interview why some weak public sector banks should be “re-privatised” and foreign banks should be allowed a larger play

Equity gauges in the green, metal and auto stocks gain

Mumbai, May 19 (ANI): Equity benchmark indices rebounded during early hours on Tuesday in line with global cues with metal and auto stocks gaining ground. At 10:15 am, the BSE S-P Sensex was up by 536 points or 1.78 per cent at 30,565 while the Nifty 50 edged higher by 159 points or 1.8 per cent at 8,982. Except for PSU bank, all sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in positive zone with Nifty metal and auto up by 1.7 per cent each, private bank by 1.5 per cent and pharma by 0.7 per cent. Among stocks, telecom major Bharti Airtel gained by 7.9 per cent to Rs 580.90 per share despite reporting a net loss of Rs 5,237 crore in the January to March quarter.

Equity indices slip 2 pc on lockdown extension, Nifty bank down 4.5 pc

Mumbai, May 18 (ANI): Equity benchmark indices traded in the negative territory during early hours on Monday as the country extended nationwide lockdown till month-end to curb the spread of coronavirus pandemic. Besides, the government announced a final set of measures under its stimulus package to revive the economy and make India a self-reliant nation. At 10:15 am, the BSE S-P Sensex was down by 692 points or 2.22 per cent at 30,406 while the Nifty 50 edged lower by 205 points or 2.24 per cent at 8,932. All sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in the red with Nifty private bank down by 5.1 per cent, PSU bank by 4.5 per cent and financial service by 4.3 per cent. Among stocks, IndusInd Bank was down by 6.5 per cent to Rs 391.40 per share while ICICI Bank slipped by 6.4 per cent, Axis Bank by 5.7 per cent and State Bank of India by 4.1 per cent. Auto majors Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors skidded by 3.7 per cent and 3.6 per cent. However, those which gained with thin marg