Anurag Thakur hints at relief for income tax payers

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur spoke on a range of issues including tax relief measures and high onion prices.

Shimla: When asked about whether the taxpayers can expect relief in the upcoming Budget, Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur reminded that it was the Narendra Modi government that provided relief for individual taxpayers and the corporates.

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, the Minister hinted positively and said, “Wait for the Budget. In fact, the only government that provided relief to taxpayers previously was that of Narendra Modi Government – whether tax rebate up to Rs 5 lakhs and cutting down corporate tax to 15% from 30%”.

In the Interim Budget presented by Piyush Goyal in 2019 ahead of general elections to the Lok Sabha, full tax rebate was given for individuals with net taxable income up to Rs 5 lakhs. The move was further continued in the General Budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman after the elections.

When asked about the falling rupee value that is hovering around Rs 71 per dollar, Thakur replied, “The impact of slowdown in the global economy was felt on Indian economy too. However, the steps taken in recent months would help in bringing in more investments, generating more employment opportunities and in achieving USD 5 trillion economy.”

Exuding confidence over bringing onion prices down in coming days the Member of Parliament from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh lashed out at the Congress Party. “Compared to 12% inflation rate during Congress government, 3.5% average rate in the last five and a half years of Modi government is much less” he said.