Highlights of the Union Budget 2023-24

India’s GDP is anticipated to increase by 6.0%–6.8% by 2023–2024, depending on the course of global economic and political developments. The yearly financial report presented by the Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, to the Parliament, “Union Budget of 2023–24, the first budget in Amrit Kaal” details the government’s revenue and spending for the following fiscal year. This important document acts as a road map for the development of the country’s economy and outlines the government’s intentions for social welfare, public services, and economic growth.

Main Highlights of the Indian Union Budget 2023

The Vision for Amrit Kaal

A technology-driven and knowledge-based economy with sound public finances and a thriving financial sector are all part of the government’s vision for Amrit Kaal. Jan Bhagidari through Sabka Saath Sabka Prayas is necessary to accomplish this. The three main objectives of the economic plan for realizing this goal are

1.Opportunities for citizens with a focus on the youth

2.Growth and job creation

3.Strong and stable macroeconomic environment

Saptarishi - 7 Priorities

1.Inclusive Development

2.Reaching the Last Mile

3.Youth Power

4.Financial Sector

5.Green Growth

6.Unleashing the Potential

8.Infrastructure and Investment

The Union Budget 2023 hopes to build on the blueprint drawn for India@100. The Govt. of India envisions a prosperous and inclusive nation where the fruits of development are enjoyed by all regions and citizens, especially the youth, women, farmers, OBCs, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This India budget 2023 aims to create a more vibrant and resilient macroeconomic environment.

Despite the massive global slowdown owing to the Covid-19, in the 75th year of the nation’s independence, the Indian economy has been recognised as a ‘bright star’. The G20 Presidency offers the country a special opportunity to deepen its influence in the global economic order while guiding the global agenda through obstacles. The government is directing an expansive, people-centred agenda under the umbrella of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” to address global issues and promote sustainable economic growth.

Saptarishi - 7 Priorities

The seven priorities included in the budget work well together and serve as our “Saptarishi” as they lead us through the Amrit Kaal.

1. Inclusive Development

A)Inclusive Development

1.Building an accessible, inclusive and informative solution for farmers

2.Encouraging and innovative start-ups in rural areas

3.Boosting production of high value horticultural crops

4.Enhancing farmers remuneration by enabling sale at appropriate times

5.Agricultural targeting of ₹20 lakh crore at Animal Husbandry, dairy and fisheries sector

6.Making India global hub for millets: ‘Sree Anna’

B) Health Sector

1.157 new nursing colleges to be established

2.Sickle Cell Anaemia elimination mission to be launched

3.New program to promote research in Pharmaceuticals to be launched

4.Joint public and private medical research to bed encouraged via select ICMR labs

C)Education and Skilling

1.Revamped teachers’ training via district institutes of education and training

2.National digital library to be set up for children and adolescents

3.Stats will be encouraged to set up physical libraries at Panchayat and ward levels

D)Inclusive Developments Achievements

1.Cash transfer of ₹2.2 lakh crore to over 11.4 crore farmers under PM-KISAN

2.Insurance cover for 44.6 crore persons under PMSBY and PMJJBY

3.47.8 crore PM Jan Dhan bank accounts

4.220 crore Covid vaccinations of 102 crore persons

5.9.6 crore LPG connections under Ujjawala

6.11.7 crore household toilets constructed under SBM

7.9 crore drinking water connections to rural houses

2.Reaching the Last Mile

1.Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) Development Mission to be launched

2.Financial assistance to be given for sustainable micro irrigation in drought-prone regions of Karnataka

3.More teachers to be recruited for 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools

4.Bharat (Shared Repository of Inscriptions) to be set up for digitization of ancient inscriptions

3.Youth Power - AMRIT PEEDHI

1.PMKVY 4.0 to be launched covering courses like coding, AI, robotics, and 3D printing

2.50 destinations to be developed as a complete package for domestic and foreign tourists

3.States will be encouraged to set up Unity Malls for promotion and sales of One District, One Product, GI and handicraft products

4.Financial Sector

1.Setting up national financial information registry

2.Setting up of a central data processing center

3.Credit guaranteed scheme for MSMEs

4.Mahila Samman Bachat Patra

5.Benefits of Senior citizens

5.Fiscal Management

1.50 years interest-free loans to states

2.3.5% of GSDP allowed for States

3.Target Fiscal deficit to be below 4.5 by 2025

6.Green Growth

1.500 new waste-to-wealth plans to be established

2.PM Program for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) to be established

3.Green Credit Program under EPA to incentivize sustainable actions

4.Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) to be taken up for sustainable ecosystem development

7.Unleashing the Potential - Trust Based Government

1.Three specialized AI centers to be set up in educational institutes

2.National Data Governance Policy to be introduced3.E-courts to be launched

3.100 labs for 5G services based application development

4.R&D grant for Lab Grown Diamonds (LGD) sector

8.PM GatiShakti Infrastructure and Investment

1.Increased capital investment outlay by 33.4% to ₹10 lakh crore

2.Continuation of 50 year interest free loan to state governments to incentivize infrastructure investment

3.Highest ever capital outlay of ₹2.4 lakh crore for Railways

4.100 transport infrastructure projects identified for end-to-end connectivity for ports, coals, steel, fertilizer sectors

5.Creating Urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and 3 cities via establishment of Urban Infrastructure Development Fund

Tax Proposals

Simplification in Indirect Taxes to deliver:

1.Higher exports

2.Higher domestic manufacturing

3.More value addition in the economy

4.Green energy and mobility

Direct Tax Proposals

To reduce the compliance burden, promote entrepreneurial spirit and provide tax relief to citizens:

1.45% of the returns on tax payers’ portals

2.Average processing period reduced from 93 to 16 days on 8 years

3.Processed more than ₹6.5 crore returns this year

Simplifying Personal Income Tax

1.Highest surcharge rate on income above ₹5 crore from 37% to 25%

2.Extending benefits of standard deduction to new tax regime for salaried class and pensioners

3.Increasing tax exemption limit to ₹25 lakh on leave encashment on retirement for non-government salaried employees

4.The income rebate limit for paying income taxes upped to ₹7 lakh/annum

Tax Benefits for Industry

MSME

1.Enhanced limits for micro enterprises and professional to avail benefits of taxation

2.Deduction on payment made to MSMEs to be allowed only when payment is made

Cooperatives

1.Extending 15% corporate tax benefits to new operatives

2.Higher limit of ₹2 lakh per member for deposits and loans in cash by PACS and PCARDBs

3.Higher limit of ₹3 crore for TDS on cash withdrawal for co-operative societies

Startups

1.Extension of the date of incorporation by one year for income tax benefits to start-ups

2.Benefits of carry forward of losses on change of shareholding of start-ups from 7 years to 10 years

Rationalization

1.Income of authorities, boards and commissions set up by statutes of the Union or State to be exempted from income tax in sectors

2.Extension of period of tax benefits to funds relocation to IFSC, GIFT city till 31st March, 2025

Allocation for Specific Ministries

There are a few other small alterations. The Explanatory Memorandum and other pertinent budget documents can be consulted for more information on the budget plans.

The Union Budget 2022 will be presented in the Parliament today (February 1, 2022). After the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2022 Budget by Nirmala Sitharaman is projected to take the economy on an accelerated path of development. The top priorities on the government’s agenda as it prepares to unveil the budget includes

1.Amendments to the tax code to promote long-term growth

2.Infrastructure investment

3.A focus on R&D spending

4.Nurturing incentives for core sectors such as manufacturing and services

5.Leveraging the vast experience of running captive centers

In addition, tax compliance ease, simplification, and digitalization are the cornerstones of improving India’s ease of doing business.

A few expectations from this year’s budget

1.As already mentioned, in 2022, the focus of the Union Budget session will be on speeding up India’s comeback from the pandemic. It is also expected to prioritise the improvement of India’s education sector.

2.Measures to re-ignite India’s CAPEX cycle and develop a deficit reduction plan will be included in the upcoming Union Budget session.

3.The Union Budget 2022 anticipates significant expenditure on healthcare programmes and capital spending to support India’s further inclusion into the global supply chain.

4.It will also aim to reduce the corporate income tax rate to 25% and generate an extremely competitive 15% tax percentage for new manufacturing enterprises.

5.Employees are eligible for income tax rebates; however, the present standard deduction cannot be used to cap the amount that can be deducted from the work-from-home allowance. So, amendments pertaining to this are also expected to be a part of the upcoming budget.

When is the Union Budget for FY 2022-23?

Union budget 2022 date and time:

On January 31, President Ram Nath Kovind addressed both Houses of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session. The sessions will be split into two parts, with the first ending on February 11th and the second beginning on March 14th and ending on April 8th.

ndia’s budget 2022 date, like the previous years, is February 1. As previously stated, the Union Budget 2022 will cover the financial framework for the coming fiscal year (2022-23) and will be unveiled at 11 AM IST on 1st February 2022.

Who Will Announce The Union Budget for FY 2022-23?

In India, the unveiling of the budget announcement is one of the most awaited financial events.

The Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Budget in New Delhi. The Union Budget will be broadcasted live on Lok Sabha TV that will also be telecasted by other news outlets as well as on social media channels like Twitter and YouTube.

Which Financial Year Is Considered While Announcing the Budget and When Does the FY Start

Another question that is discussed more often after the budget is presented must be—when does the newly announced budget come into effect?

Article 112 of the Indian Constitution refers to the Union Budget of India as the Annual Financial Statement. The Union Budget will be declared on 1st February 2022; this budget will be imposed for the Fiscal Year 2022-23.

This means that the policy changes, fund allocation and other benefits shall be applicable from the next Fiscal Year i.e., 1st April after the announcement of the Union Budget.

The fiscal year will extend from April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023, putting an end to the debate about when does the budget come into effect and which financial year does it pertain to.

Undeniably, all eyes are on the announcements with a hopeful prognosis for long-term growth. This year, the Economic Survey will be published in a single volume with a separate volume for the Statistical Appendix. The purpose of establishing a separate book for the statistical appendix is to distinguish it as a one-stop source of accurate data.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE UNION BUDGET 2022-23

India’s economic growth is expected to be 9.2% this year, the highest among all global economies. The economy’s comprehensive, swift rebound and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic’s adverse consequences reflects our country’s great resilience, a true sign of the nation’s growth towards being Aatmanirbhar. Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs tabled the Union Budget 2022-23 in Parliament on February 1, 2022.

The Finance Minister stated that India is commemorating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and has entered Amrit Kaal, 25 years leading up to India@100, in which the government aspires to achieve the Prime Minister’s vision as articulated in his Independence Day address, which includes:

1.Promoting the digital economy and Fintech, technology-enabled development, energy transition, and climate action

2.Relying on a virtuous cycle that begins with private investment and ends with public capital investment, helping to crowd-in private investment

3.Complementing macroeconomic growth and an equal focus on microeconomic welfare for all

The following are the main highlights of the budget 2022:

PART A

1.India’s economic growth is predicted to be the greatest among all large economies, at 9.2%.

2.In 14 industries, 60 lakh new jobs will be created under the Productivity-Linked Incentive Scheme. PLI Schemes can generate an additional ₹30 Lakh crore in revenue.

3.The Union Budget 2022, entering the Amrit Kaal, provides momentum for growth in four areas:

4.PM GatiShakti

5.Productivity Enhancement & Investment, Sunrise opportunities, Energy Transition, and Climate Action

6.Inclusive Development

7.Financing of investments

1.PM GatiShakti

The seven engines for economic transformation, seamless multimodal connectivity, and logistical efficiency will be covered by the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. The PM GatiShakti framework will synchronize the projects related to these seven engines in the National Infrastructure Pipeline. Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transportation, Waterways, and Logistics Infrastructure are the seven engines that propel PM GatiShakti.

2.Inclusive Development

Agriculture

1.Direct payment of ₹2.37 lakh crore to 1.63 crore farmers for wheat and paddy procurement

2.Chemical-free natural farming will be encouraged across the county

3.Initial emphasis will be on farmers’ holdings in 5 km broad stretches along the Ganga

4.NABARD will allow a fund with blended capital to finance agricultural and rural enterprise startups

5.‘Kisan Drones’ will inspect crops, digitize land records, and spray insecticides and nutrients

MSME

1.The portals of Udyam, e-shram, NCS, and ASEEM will be linked

2.Emergency Credit Linked Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) will be provided to 130 lakh MSMEs. ECLGS would be extended until March 2023.

3.The ECLGS guarantee cover will be increased by ₹50000 crores, bringing the total protection to ₹5 lakh crores.

4.The Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) will allow extra credit worth ₹2 lakh crore.

5.The Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) initiative would be implemented with a budget of ₹6000 crores.

Skill Development

1.The Digital Ecosystem for Skilling and Livelihood (DESH-Stack e-portal) will be launched to enable citizens to reskill or upskill via online training.

2.Startups will be encouraged to help with ‘Drone Shakti’ and Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS).

Education

1.PM eVIDYA’s ‘One Class One TV channel’ initiative will be expanded to 200 TV channels.

2.To develop critical thinking skills and a simulated learning environment, virtual laboratories and skilling e-labs will be set up.

3.Digital Teachers will create high-quality e-content for distribution.

4.A digital university will be built to provide world-class universal education with a tailored learning experience.

Health

1.The National Digital Health Ecosystem will be built on an open platform.

2.A ‘National Tele Mental Health Programme’ would be created to provide high-quality mental health counselling and treatment services.

3.The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) will serve as the nodal center, with the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore (IIITB) providing technical support.

Har Ghar, Nal Se Jal

Har Ghar, Nal se Jal has been awarded ₹60,000 crores to cover 3.8 crore households in 2022-23.

Housing for All

Under the PM Awas Yojana, ₹48,000 crores have been set aside to construct 80 lakh dwellings by 2022-23.

The Prime Minister’s North-East Development Initiative (PM-DevINE)

PM-DevINE, a new initiative to fund infrastructure and social development projects in the North-East, has been launched. Under the scheme, an initial allocation of ₹1,500 crores was granted to facilitate livelihood activities for youth and women.

Vibrant Villages Programme

Border communities with scant populations, insufficient connectivity, and infrastructure on the northern border will be developed through the Vibrant Villages Program.

Banks

1.5 lakh post offices would be connected to the core banking system.

2.75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) will be established in 75 districts by scheduled commercial banks.

Accelerated Corporate Exit

Processing Center for Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) programme will be launched to help enterprises wind down quickly.

Task Force on AVGC Promotion

A task force for animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) promotion will be formed to maximize the sector’s potential.

Telecom Sector

As part of the Production-Linked Incentive Scheme, design-led manufacturing will be established to create a robust ecosystem for 5G.

Export Promotion

The Special Economic Zones Act will be replaced by a new law allowing states to collaborate on the “Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs.”

Public Capital Investment

1.In 2022-23, public investment will continue to stimulate private investment and demand.

2.Capital spending increased by 35.4% to ₹7.50 lakh crore in 2022-23, up from ₹5.544 lakh crore in the current fiscal year.

3.In 2022-23, the budget will be 2.9% of GDP.

4.The Central Government’s ‘Effective Capital Expenditure’ is anticipated to be ₹10.68 lakh crore in 2022-23, around 4.1% of GDP.

Digital Rupee

Starting 2022-23, the Reserve Bank of India will introduce the Digital Rupee.

GIFT-IFSC

An International Arbitration Centre will be established to expedite the resolution of disputes under international law.

Fiscal Management

Budget Estimates 2021-22: ₹34.83 lakh crore

1.Revised Budget Estimates 2021-22: ₹37.70 lakh crore

2.Total spending in 2022-23 is expected to be ₹39.45 lakh crore

3.Total receipts other than borrowings are expected to be ₹22.84 lakh crore in 2022-23

4.Fiscal deficit in the current year: 6.9% of GDP (as opposed to 6.8% in Budget Estimates)

5.Fiscal deficit in 2022-23 estimated at 6.4% of GDP

Part B

DIRECT TAXES

To continue the stable and predictable tax system policy, Budget 2022 envisions creating a trustworthy tax system, streamlining and eliminating litigation from the tax system. The Union Budget 2022 has introduced the provision of ‘Updated return’ for the payment of additional tax. It will allow the assessee to claim income that was previously unreported. It can be filed within two years of the conclusion of the assessment year in question.

Cooperative Societies

1.The Alternate Minimum Tax that cooperatives pay has been reduced from 18.5% to 15% to create a level playing field for cooperative groups and businesses.

2.Surcharge on cooperative societies has been decreased from 12% to 7% for those with total revenue of more than ₹1 crore but less than ₹10 crores.

Tax exemption for Persons with disabilities

Payment of annuity and lump sum amount from insurance plan to be allowed to differently-abled dependents during parents’/guardians’ lifetimes, i.e., when parents/guardians reach the age of 60.

Parity in National Pension Scheme Contribution

Increased the tax deduction ceiling on employers’ contributions to state government employees’ NPS accounts from 10% to 14%, bringing them on a level with central government employees and helping to improve social security benefits.

Incentives for Startup

For qualifying start-ups to receive a tax benefit, the time of incorporation has been extended by one year, to 31st March 2023; previously, the period of incorporation was valid until 31st March 2022.

Incentives under concessional tax regime

The deadline for starting manufacture or production under section 115BAB has been extended by one year, from March 31, 2023, to March 31, 2024.

Scheme for taxation of virtual digital assets

1.A new tax structure for virtual digital assets has been established.

2.Any revenue derived from the transfer of any virtual digital asset will be taxed at a rate of 30%.

3.During the computation of such income, no deductions or allowances will be allowed to save for the cost of acquisition.

4.Losses incurred due to the transfer of a virtual digital asset cannot be offset against other sources of income.

5.TDS will be applied on payments made about the transfer of virtual digital assets at a rate of 1% of such consideration above a monetary threshold to capture transaction details.

6.A gift of a virtual digital asset will be taxed in the recipient’s hands as well.

Tax incentives to IFSC

The following items will be tax-free if certain conditions are met:

1.Non-resident income from offshore derivative products

2.Income from an offshore banking unit’s over-the-counter derivatives

3.Income from royalties and interest on ship leases, as well as income from portfolio management services in the IFSC

Surcharge Rationalization

1.Surcharges on AOPs (consortiums formed to carry out contracts) is set at 15% to lessen the surcharge discrepancy between individual enterprises and AOPs.

2.Surcharge on long-term capital gains deriving from the transfer of any form of asset is set at 15% to give the startup community a boost

Cess for Health and Education

Any surcharge or tax on earnings and profits is not deductible as a business expense.

Deterrence against tax-evasion

There will be no set-off of any loss against undeclared income discovered during search and survey operations.

TDS Provisions Rationalization

1.Benefits distributed to agents as part of a business promotion campaign are taxable in the agents’ hands.

2.If the total value of the benefits received during the year exceeds 20,000, the person providing the benefits is eligible for a tax deduction.

INDIRECT TAXES

Electronics

1.Customs duty rates will be adjusted to create a graded rate structure, making it easier to manufacture wearable devices and electronic smart meters.

2.Duty exemptions for parts of transformers used in mobile phone chargers, and camera lenses of mobile camera modules and a few other things to enable the production of high-growth electronic devices

Gems and Jewellery

1.To encourage the Gems and Jewellery sector, customs duty on cut and polished diamonds and gemstones would be decreased to 5%.

2.To facilitate the export of jewellery via e-commerce, a simplified regulatory framework will be adopted by June this year.

3.Import of fake jewellery will be subject to a customs duty of at least ₹400 per kg to discourage the import of low-value imitation jewellery.

Chemicals

1.Customs duty on certain vital chemicals, such as methanol, acetic acid, and heavy feedstock for petroleum refining, is being decreased.

2.Duty on sodium cyanide, which has sufficient domestic capacity, is being raised to increase domestic value addition.

MSME

1.The customs tax on umbrellas has been hiked to 20%. Parts of umbrellas that are being discontinued are exempt.

2.Exemptions for agricultural implements and tools manufactured in India are being simplified.

3.Last year’s customs duty exemption for steel scrap was extended for another year to help MSME secondary steel makers.

4.Specific anti-dumping and countervailing duties on coated steel and stainless steel and items, alloy steel bars, and high-speed steel are being cancelled to address the current high metal prices in the public interest.

Exports

Exemptions on ornamentation, trimming, pins, buttons, zipper, lining material, selected leather, furniture fittings, and packaging boxes are provided to stimulate growth.

To increase shrimp aquaculture exports, duties on certain inputs are being cut.

Tariff measures to encourage the blending of fuel

1.To incentivise fuel blending, unused petrol would be subject to an additional differential excise duty of ₹2/litre beginning October 1, 2022.

2.This budget offers more hope and better prospects for the economy to accelerate, with a slew of measures geared at boosting growth amid high and increasing inflation and persistent Covid-19 uncertainty.