Latest News Updates: Nirmala Sitharaman presents Budget 2021
More than a year after India recorded its first case of coronavirus, which triggered countrywide restrictions, Nirmala Sitharaman today presented the Union Budget 2021 in parliament. The country's health spending has been increased considerably.
Pensioners above 75 years of age will not be required to file income tax returns, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today as she presented the Union Budget 2021 in parliament.
India's coronavirus tally surged to 1,07,57,610 with over 11,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. Yesterday, Prime Minster Narendra Modi asserted that India is vaccinating its citizens "faster than anywhere in the world". In his monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat", the Prime Minister also highlighted the fact that the country was able to help other nations in their inoculation drive. More than 1.07 crore cases have been logged so far; 1.04 crore patients have recovered in the country in a year. Over 1.5 lakh deaths linked to Covid have been registered. The number of healthcare workers vaccinated has crossed the 37 lakh-mark on the 15th day of the countrywide Covid-19 inoculation programme, the government data shows.
Farmers' protest near Delhi borders continues to grab the country's attention with more protesters joining the agitation after the clashes on Republic Day. PM Modi yesterday said "India was insulted by the insult to the tricolour".
Another important news that's emerging from Myanmar where country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in an apparent coup and the military has declared one-year emergency. "We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld. We are monitoring the situation closely," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Here are the Latest News Live Updates on, Union Budget 2021 and Other Big Stories:
UK COVID-19 variant present in 82 countries, South African strain in 39: WHO
The UK COVID-19 variant has now spread to 82 countries and the South African strain to nearly 40, Maria Van Kerkhove, COVID-19 Technical Lead of the World Health Organization (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme, said on Monday.
Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava visits Delhi-UP border
Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava on Monday visited Ghazipur on the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border and took stock of the security arrangements. Mr Srivastava also briefed the police personnel and appreciated their hard work, Delhi Police said.
Security has been tightened at the Ghazipur as well as other borders including Singhu and Tikri.
Nails have been fixed on the ground near barricades near Ghazipur
The protest at the Ghazipur border entered its 66th day on Monday.
Austria to loosen lockdown, allowing shops and schools to reopen
Austria said on Monday it will loosen its coronavirus lockdown from Monday next week, switching to a nighttime curfew and letting non-essential shops and schools reopen despite infections remaining higher than the government would like.
Only pupils who have been tested will be allowed to attend lessons, with others able to join online, the government said in a statement, adding that tests will be carried out in schools and older pupils' classes will be split into separate groups.
Customers will have to wear FFP2 face masks in shops, it added
WHO team having "productive talks" in China about COVID's origins
A World Health Organization team visiting China to explore the origins of the coronavirus is having productive talks with its Chinese counterparts, Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead for COVID-19, said on Monday.
"They are having very productive discussions with Chinese counterparts, visiting different hospitals ..a very good visit" to a marketplace, she told a virtual briefing in Geneva.
64 new COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh reported 64 new cases of COVID-19 and one death in Krishna district.
According to the media bulletin released by the state nodal officer, the total count of cases in the state has risen to 88,79,00, while active cases are 1,242.
A total of 21,922 samples have been tested in the state in the past 24 hours.
40,782 administered COVID-19 vaccines in Maharashtra
A total of 40,782 healthcare staffers were administered COVID-19 vaccines at 531 centres held on Monday across Maharashtra, taking the tally of those inoculated so far to more than 3 lakh, the state government said.
According to an official statement, 40,311 of the beneficiaries were administered Covishield vaccine.
The remaining 471 beneficiaries received Covaxin jabs, the government said. Covaxin was inoculated at six places: Amravati, Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Solapur and Aurangabad, it added.
South Africa Receives First Batch Of Covid Vaccine Doses From India
96 more birds found dead in Maharashtra; samples sent for analysisMaharashtra has reported deaths of 96 more birds, most of them poultry birds, amid the avian influenza scare, the state government said on Monday.
Their samples are being sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal and Disease Investigation Section, Pune, for testing to ascertain the cause of the death of these birds on Sunday, it said.
According to an official statement, 77 of these were poultry birds. The government said 15 crows and four otherbirds, including herons and parrots, also died on Sunday.
South Africa gets first vaccine doses, bringing relief to health workersSouth Africa's first coronavirus vaccine doses arrived by airplane on Monday, offering some relief for health workers who have been stretched during a second wave of infections and are first in line for the shots.
President Cyril Ramaphosa and other top officials were at the OR Tambo international airport to receive the 1 million shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII). Some scientists and health workers have publicly criticised Ramaphosa's government for not securing access to vaccines sooner.
In remarks carried on state broadcaster SABC, Ramaphosa said he was delighted the first shots had arrived and that he would say more during an address to the nation scheduled for 1800 GMT.
Operational Reasons: Railways After Punjab Mail DivertedThe Punjab Mail was diverted while another train was short-terminated Monday, prompting charges that it was done to prevent farmers from reaching Delhi to join the ongoing protests against the three new farm laws, even as the Railways said the move was an operational necessity.
Law Ministry Gets Rs 1,005 Crore For Poll Body To Purchase Voting EquipmentThe Union Law Ministry has been allocated Rs 1,005 crore in the central Budget to provide funds to the Election Commission for procurement of ballot units, control units and voter verifiable paper audit trial units (VVPATS), and ancillary expenditure on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and destruction of obsolete voting machines.
Budget Shows Massive Spending Plan To Revive EconomyIndia unveiled a massive spending plan focused on healthcare and infrastructure on Monday, as the government sought to boost a coronavirus-ravaged economy on course for its biggest annual contraction on record.
"Scrap Black Laws," Congress MPs-In-Black Say During Budget PresentationThe months-long farm law agitation left its mark on Day-1 of the Budget Session of Parliament today as expected. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman listed out the achievements in the agricultural sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and claimed it was "committed to the welfare of farmers". That was, however, after three "black-clad" Congress MPs from Punjab had expressed their solidarity with the thousands of farmers who have been protesting along Delhi's border against three pieces of Central legislation.
Lokpal Gets Nearly Rs 40 Crore In Budget 2021
Anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has got an allocation of nearly Rs 40 crore for 2021-22 to meet its establishment and construction related expenditures, according to the Union Budget presented on Monday, reported news agency PTI. The Lokpal was given Rs 74.7 crore for the ongoing fiscal, which ends in March. This has now been revised to Rs 29.67 crore for 2020-21, it said.
India Cuts Import Tax On Gold, Silver To 7.5% From 12.5%
India slashed the import duties on gold and silver to 7.5% from 12.5%, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday, as the world's second biggest gold consumer tries to bring down smuggling of the precious metal, reported news agency Reuters. Gold futures fell more than 3% following the surprise announcement in the annual budget by Ms Sitharaman.
Japan Urges Myanmar Military To Free Aung San Suu Kyi, Restore Democracy
Japan called Monday for Myanmar's military to release Aung San Suu Kyi and restore democracy, saying it was opposed to moves that pushed the country "backwards", reported news agency AFP. "We request the release of stakeholders including state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi who was detained today," Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement, urging the army "to quickly restore the democratic political system in Myanmar". The ministry said Japan had been "strongly supporting the democratic process in Myanmar" and was opposed to "moves going backwards."
Centre Extends Internet Suspension In Delhi's 3 Farmer Protests Sites Till Tuesday Night
The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the suspension of internet services at the farmer protest sites in Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders till Tuesday night, officials said, reported news agency PTI. Apart from the three border points, where farmers have been protesting since November against the Centre's three new farm laws, internet services will remain suspended in their adjoining areas too. The suspension is effective from 11 pm of January 31 to 11 pm of February 2.
Agriculture Infra Cess Of 100% Imposed On Alcoholic Beverages
Agriculture infra cess of 100 per cent imposed on alcoholic beverages, reports news agency PTI
Boris Johnson Condemns Myanmar Coup, Aung San Suu Kyi's Imprisonment
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday condemned the coup in Myanmar and the imprisonment of de facto civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, reported news agency AFP. Johnson tweeted: "I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar. The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released."
Social Media Regulation: SC Issues Notice To Centre, Tags Plea With Pending OnesThe Supreme Court today issued notices to the Central government, besides others, in connection with a public interest litigation (PIL) that has sought regulation of social media platforms for hate speech and fake news. The plea had wanted the court to direct the Union government to frame laws for criminal prosecution of persons involved in such activities.
Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 4 PM Tomorrow
Lok Sabha adjourned till 4 pm on February 2
Union Budget 2021: Faith: Nirmala Sitharaman Invokes Rabindranath Tagore To Begin Budget SpeechUnion Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today invoked Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in what was probably a first - a budget day speech. "I borrow the words of Rabindranath Tagore - 'Faith is the word that feels the lights and sings when the dawn is still dark'," the minister said, beginning her speech for a budget the country has placed its hopes on after a year made hugely challenging by a pandemic and a sputtering economy.
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Centre cuts timeline for reopening of tax cases from 6 years to 3 years
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Serious tax offences of concealment of income of over Rs 50 lakh can be reopened after 10 years: Nirmala Sitharaman
Tax holiday for startups extended by one year: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Nirmala Sitharaman announces tax exemption for notified rental housing projects
Myanmar Army Pledges New Elections, Power Transfer Following Coup
Myanmar's army today said it will hold fresh elections and hand power to the winning party once a year-long state of emergency has elapsed, hours after carrying out a coup, reported news agency AFP. "We will perform real multi-party democracy... with complete balance and fairness," a statement on the army's official Facebook page said. It added that power will be transferred after "holding a free and fair general election and the emergency provisions period is complete."
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Faceless IT appellate tribunal to be set up: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
In relief to senior citizens, compliance burden reduced for 75 years and above. Exemption from Income Tax Returns for seniors with only pension and interest income: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
New world order emerging after pandemic, India will have a leading role: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Rs 1.18 lakh crore revenue deficit grant to 17 states: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Gross borrowings from market for next year Rs 12 lakh crore: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Fiscal deficit pegged at 9.5% of GDP for 2020-2021, 6.8% of GDP for 2021-2022: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Niramala Sitharaman announces special scheme for Assam and Bengal tea workers
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Niramala Sitharaman announces Rs 300 crore for Goa to celebrate Goa Liberation Day
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Upcoming census will be the first digital census in the history of India. Rs 3,768 crore has been allocated for it: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
I propose to amend the Insurance Act 1938 to increase the permissible FDI limit from 49% to 74% and allow foreign ownerships and control with safeguards: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Crop procurement at MSP is continuing at a rapid pace, resulting in an increase in terms of adequate payments to farmers. A total of Rs 75,060 crore was paid to farmers in 2020-21: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
The number of wheat producing farmers who have benefitted has increased from 35.57 lakhs in 2019-20 to 43.36 lakhs in 2020-21: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Unmanned launch for gaganyaan programme slated for December 2021: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Central university to be set up in Leh: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
In global tenders floated by ministries and Central Public Sector Enterprises, an amount of Rs 1,624 crore will be provided in 5 years. This initiative will enable greater training and employment opportunities for Indian seafarers: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Work will be undertaken to promote merchant ships in India. Initially, Rs 1,624 crore has been provided for it. Apart from this, work will be done on recycling ships at the existing plant in Gujarat: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Minimum wages will apply to all categories of workers: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech100% electrification of broad gauge routes will be completed by December 2023. For passenger convenience and safety, aesthetically designed Vistadomes to be introduced on tourist routes for better experience: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
2 new technologies - Metro Lite and Metro Neo - will be deployed to provide metro services at much less cost with same experience, convenience and safety in Tier II cities and peripheral areas of Tier I cities also: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
1,000 more mandis to be integrated to eNAM: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Government committed to welfare of farmers: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Estimate Rs 1.75 lakh crore from disinvestment in 2021-2022: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Will introduce IPO of LIC this year: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Propose to allow incorporation of one person company: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Nirmala Sitharaman announces framework to take over stressed assets from lenders
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
To give a further boost to the non-conventional energy sector, I propose to provide additional capital infusion of Rs 1,000 crore to Solar Energy Corporation of India and Rs 1,500 crore to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Ujjwala scheme to be extended to 1 crore more beneficiaries. 100 more cities to get gas pipelines: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Budget to provide Rs 1.1 lakh crore to Indian Railways of which Rs 1.07 lakh crore will be for capital expenditure: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Framework for consumers to choose power distributor will be announced: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
To further strengthen safety measures, high density network and highly utilized network routes of Indian Railways will be provided with an indigenously-developed automatic train protection system which eliminates train collision due to human error: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes to create manufacturing global champions for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat has been announced in 13 sectors. The government has submitted nearly Rs 1.97 lakh crore over 5 years starting this financial year: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Nirmala Sitharaman announces highways for Assam at Rs 34,000 crore
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Nirmala Sitharaman announces highways for West Bengal at Rs 25000 crore ahead of state polls
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Propose capital expenditure of 5.54 lakh crore. We will nudge states to spend more on creation of infra: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
The WHO has repeatedly stressed on clean water, sanitation and environment. As a prerequisite to achieving universal health, the Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) will be launched. Jal Jeevan Mission will be launched across all urban local bodies with an outlay of Rs 2.87 lakh crore over next 5 years: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
A new centrally sponsored scheme - PM Aatmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana - will be launched at an outlay of Rs 64,180 crore over six years: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
To strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcome, we will merge the supplementary nutritional programme and the POSHAN Abhiyan and launch the Mission POSHAN 2.0: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Next lot of airports will be monetised: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget SpeechNirmala Sitharaman: For National Infrastructure Pipeline, I propose three steps:
Creating institutional structures
Monetising assets
Enhancing share of capex in state and central budgets
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Seven textile parks to be set up: Nirmala Sitharaman
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Nirmala Sitharaman announces Rs 35,000 crore for COVID-19 vaccinations in this year
Nirmala Sitharaman Presents Budget Speech
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the much-awaited voluntary vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and polluting vehicles, reported news agency PTI. Presenting the Budget for 2021-22 in Parliament, Ms Sitharaman said that under voluntary vehicle scrapping policy, personal vehicles would undergo fitness test after 20 years while commercial vehicles would require it after completion of 15 years.