IEP Chandigarh

Today on the occasion of the presentation of Union Budget 2023 byHon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, BJP Chandigarhorganized a viewing and discussion on the same at its State Head Office,Kamlam, Sector-33, Chandigarh. The same was attended by prominent Chartered Accountants, Lawyers, Financial Experts, Traders, Industrialistsand various other intellectuals from varied walks of life.The gathering was unanimous in its appreciation of the Budgetpresented on account of it being highly progressive as well as all inclusive.Building upon the previous Budgets of the Modi Government which havepropelled India to being the 5 th largest economy from earlier 10 th positionand growing at the pace of 7%, among the highest in the world, this Budgettoo is highly growth oriented on the Macro-Economic front. A huge 33%increase in Capital Investment has been made to Rs. 10 Lakh Crores,which will have a cascading beneficial impact on all the segments of theeconomy.Special attention has been paid to empowerment of women, youth,SC/ST/OBC/Underprivileged sectors by creating support infrastructure tofacilitate their income through heightened entrepreneurship moving towards“Aatam Nirbharta”.The budget seeks to expand access to credit facilities for theagricultural sector and increase the Capital outlay at both the Central andState levels. In addition, the government has allocated funds for health andeducation sectors.With regards to personal taxation, the Finance Minister proposed theNew Tax Regime as the default system, with no tax applicable for incomeup to Rs. 7 lakhs. The basic tax slabs have also been revised, providingrelief to taxpayers.For non-government salaried employees, the exemption limit onleave encashment has been increased to Rs. 25 lakhs from Rs. 3 lakhs.This huge jump will benefit a very large number of retiring employees.In the spirit of “Minimum Government Maximum Governance”, easethrough digitization for doing business as well as for the common man hasbeen ensured. The provision of ‘Unified Filing Process’ will obviate theneed for separate submission of same information to different government agencies. The concern for the financial betterment of senior citizens andwomen was particularly appreciated by the group.Prominent among those attending at BJP Chandigarh Head Office,were Sh. Chander Shekhar, Dr. Dharinder Tayal, CA Vishal Puri, CATarsem Garg, CA Parmod Bindal, CA Shiv Gupta, CA Ravinder Garg, CAVineet Aggarwal, CA Alok Krishan, CA HS Khurana, CA Naveen Soni, CAAnil Kalia, CA Amit Sondhi, Advocate Hitesh Puri, Advocate Ruchi Sekhri,Sh. Gajendar Sharma, Dr. Ruchit Uppal, Sh. Kailash Jain.BJP Chandigarh also organized viewing and discussion of Budget2023 at District Level across the city under the District Presidents whichwere attended by hundreds of professionals and citizens.

IEP Chandigarh February 1

Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda today visited India women’s cricket team captain Shefali Verma’s house to congratulate her on winning the Under-19 Women’s World Cup. 

He extended hearty wishes to the family and said Haryana’s daughter has brought laurels not only to the state but to the entire country. Along with this, he also congratulated the other player of the team, Sonia. Hooda demanded the government to appoint both the players to high posts like DSP under the sports policy implemented during the Congress tenure.

Hooda then addressed a press conference on the Union budget and said the budget is anti-poor, farmers, labourers, small traders and farmers, because instead of giving any new relief to them in the budget, the budget of announced welfare schemes has been cut. He said Haryana remained empty handed in the budget as no special plan was announced for the state.

Hooda said the people of the country and the state are struggling with problems like inflation and unemployment, but there was no provision in the budget to provide relief to people. “Farmers are agitating for MSP and employees are agitating for old pension scheme. The budget is silent even on their demands. During the Corona period, every class had to face heavy losses, but no provision has been made in this budget for its compensation,” he said. 

Citing figures, the Leader of the Opposition said fertilizer subsidy was reduced from Rs 2.25 to Rs 1.75 lakh crore in this budget. “Urea subsidy was 1,54,098 crore in last year’s revised budget, this time it was reduced to 1,31,100 crore. Similarly, food subsidy was reduced from 2.87 to 1.97 lakh crore. It has also been reduced from 2.43 lakh crore to 2.38 lakh crore, making a huge cut in the budget of rural development,” he said.

Similarly, the budget of MNREGA has also been reduced from 89,400 crores to 60,000 crores. 12,954 crore was announced in the last budget for Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, which has come down to 10,787 this time. Rs 68,000 crore was announced in the last budget for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, this time it has been reduced to 60,000 crore. Rs 15,500 crore was announced for the crop insurance scheme in the last budget, this time it has been reduced to Rs 13,625 crore. The budget makes less than 1 percent provision of total GDP in education and health. These two sectors should have been given the highest priority,” he said.

IEP Chandigarh ,

A 36-year-old woman suffering from multiple fibroids in uterus has undergone robot assisted minimally invasive myomectomy and hysteroscopic procedure at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali recently.The patient had suffered two miscarriages in the past and was unable to conceive. Post procedure she is now healthy fit to conceive

  IEP Chandigarh

  For the coming financial year, PGI allocated Rs 1923.10 crore, which is Rs. 73.10 crore more than last year’s   revised budget estimates.

   The highest allocation was for the creation of capital assets with Rs 343.10 crore. In the previous year, under this head, Rs 270 crore was provided. The grant- in-aid for salaries & the budget estimate under the grant-in- aid (general), which remain same as previous year i.e. Rs 1300 crore & Rs. 270 crore respectively. Rs. 10.00 Crore were allocated under budget Head GIA (SAP).

      The proposed amount was Rs. 2250 Crores for this year. 

 “This is initial allocation and as per our past experience we always get required funds under Supplementary Grants                     ( November/December) based on expenditure pattern and new developments ( like new recruitments , projects, etc.) during the year”, said Sh. Kumar Abhay, Financial Advisor, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

IEP Chandigarh, February 1

          Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development Dr.  Baljit Kaur said that the CDPO Ajnala Jaspreet Singh has been suspended with immediate effect accused of demanding bribe and harassing an Anganwadi worker.

Giving information in this regard, the Cabinet Minister said that Amandeep Kaur, an Anganwadi worker of village Karimpura near Ajnala of Women and Child Development Department, had alleged that Jaspreet Singh CDPO  used to demand bribe to get her transferred and harassed her unnecessarily. Due to which the Anganwadi worker resigned.

          The Minister of Women and Child Development also said that the Anganwadi worker said that this officer used to demand bribe from her through a supervisor. Due to which this officer has been immediately suspended by her.

The minister said that the main objective of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is to provide corruption free administration to the people of the state. Therefore, while suspending this officer, She has given instructions to other officers and employees of the department that any officer and employee who commits corruption will not be spared in future.

IEP Chandigarh/New Delhi, February 1

Asserting that the Union Budget 2023 will act as a “turbo engine” to propel and excel India’s as fastest growing economy, BJP National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill has termed the Budget as “Bumper Bonanza Budget” for youth, tax payers, MSME, women, farming community, LIGs beside many other sectors. In his Budget reaction, Shergill said, “The Budget is path-breaking and will provide wings to India’s growth story by focusing on investment, increased expenditure, employment and ease of doing business.”

 Further terming the Budget as visionary, development-oriented and beneficial for all the sectors, the BJP Spokesperson said that Budget 2023 has taken care of everyone. Highlighting some key announcements in the Budget, Shergill said, “This Union Budget has the highest budget allocation for Railways, for Middle Class – tax slabs have been revised and a new small savings scheme with 7.5% interest rate ‘Mahila Samman Bachat Patra’ for women has been announced.”

 The BJP Leader said that an agri-focused accelerator fund to encourage startups has been launched for farmers. “Start-up in agriculture for farmers, agriculture fund and digital training to farmers will revolutionize agriculture in the country”, he emphasized. Shergill added that the FM’s announcement of increasing agricultural credit target to Rs 20 trillion with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries besides Centre to encourage 10 million farmers to take up natural farming is a very big announcement aimed at the welfare of the agri sector.

 Further applauding the Union Budget 2023, Shergill said that FM’s speech making an announcement of a Digital Public Infrastructure for Agriculture to be built as an open source, open standard, interoperable public good will go a long way in the progress of the farm sector. “As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rightly said, this will enable inclusive farmer-centric solutions and help improve access to farm inputs, market intel and support for the agriculture industry, and startups”, he added.   

 Complimenting Sitharaman for her public welfare announcements, Shergill said, “Allocation for PM Awas Yojana Raised by 66 per cent to provide houses to poor will immensely benefit the underprivileged. Also, the government has announced to launch ‘PM Kaushal Vikaas Yoajna’ 4.0 to skill the Indian youth in new-age courses for Industry 4.0 in the next three years.”

 Shergill said that increasing CAPEX by 33 per cent and enhancing Credit Scheme, Refund to MSMEs besides reducing as many as 39000 compliances for industry/Simple KYC are also a welcome step. “This Union Budget 2023 is nothing short of “Kamaal” budget by “Kamal Ki Sarkar”, Shergill concluded.

IEP Chandigarh

CII welcomes the budget for new India which addresses the growth imperatives without compromising on the fiscal prudence path. Through a slew of measures in forward-looking areas encompassing green growth, digital infra, urban rejuvenation among others, we are happy to note that the budget lays the roadmap for preparing India for the Amrit Kaal, the next 25 years upto India@100, said Mr Sanjiv Bajaj, President, CII, while reacting to the budget proposals, today.

It is encouraging to note that the budget has made a bold attempt to invigorate the critical demand drivers of consumption and investment. The move to rationalise personal income tax rates will go a long way in increasing disposable incomes, thus giving consumption a leg-up which will in turn have a salutary impact on India Inc’s investments. The sharp 33% rise in capital spending budgeted for 2023-24 is in line with CII’s suggestion and lends credence to government’s vision of improving the economy’s growth potential through a push to overall productivity of the economy and creation of jobs, Mr Bajaj highlighted.

Even as a boost was given to demand drivers, the FM did a fine balancing act of maintaining fiscal discipline by containing the fiscal deficit at 6.4% of GDP for the current fiscal and bringing it down along a steady glide path to 5.9% next year, added Mr Sanjiv Bajaj, President, CII.

Statement by Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General

Growth oriented fiscally prudent budget, with continued focus on capex and inclusion

The Finance Minister delivered a growth centric budget building further on the strategy of high capex. The first Budget of India’s Amrit Kaal also lays strong foundations for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The continued thrust on capital expenditure will boost overall economic productivity, crowd in private investment, and drive growth through a multiplier effect.

Capex spending is budgeted to rise steeply for the third year in a row.  Capex spending budgeted at Rs 10 lakh crore in FY24 as compared to budgeted print of Rs 7.5 lakh crore in FY23, implies over 33% rise in FY24 BE over FY23 BE. This is in line with CII recommendations.

The focus on agriculture, skill development and “Vanchit ko Variyta” are big positives, which will spur a transformational shift in the quality of life of the large population driving inclusion and broad basing growth.

While supporting growth with equity, the Budget does not fall short on the fiscal consolidation imperative. The projected fiscal deficit of 6.4% for FY23 and 5.9 % for FY24 is very much in line with what CII had suggested and will help India weather the global uncertainties well as also boost investor confidence. The reiteration of reducing the fiscal deficit to below 4.5% by 2025-26 is a welcome move as it gives a glide path.

The Budget lays down the foundations for the long-term vision with focus on agriculture and rural development, technology and R & D, sustainability, urban reforms, encouraging private sector investment through the Ease of Doing Business and inclusive development.

Statement by Mr R. Dinesh, President Designate, CII

The finance minister deserves kudos for presenting a landmark budget that provides a substantial growth impetus to the economy while at the same time maintaining a prudent fiscal framework. CII welcomes the emphasis on demand-led growth, higher public investment on infrastructure, addressing social sector priorities and ensuring fiscal credibility to uplift the economy.

The seven key priorities outlined in the budget namely inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, youth power, financial sector and green growth are in resonance with our journey towards Amrit kaal and the vision of India@100, which the Indian industry has articulated. Apart from steps for boosting the economy, the finance minister has also announced a host of measures to further inclusion drive.

Many of the budget provisions are indeed path-breaking. The focus on capital expenditure especially on infrastructure is especially welcome, as it would sustain recovery and create jobs at a time when the world is reeling under extreme global uncertainty and headwinds. Specifically, the increased allocation for ports, roads and the highest allocation for rail etc would raise the efficiency of logistics and supply chain that would spur manufacturing competitiveness.

Similarly, of the announcements on fiscal consolidation, ease of doing business, promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat through customs duty rationalization on inputs used by domestic industry are commendable and deserve to be applauded.

Similarly, a bold agriculture thrust, higher allocation on health, education, skills, attention to start-ups and MSMEs, income tax concessions to boost consumption in the middle class would promote all round growth.

Overall, the Budget is in sync with the dreams of an aspirational nation while envisioning a blueprint and a Strategy for a New India@100.

Statement by Mr Sanjiv Puri, Vice President, CII on the Union Budget 2023-24

CII welcomes the Budget 2023-24, which is growth and investment oriented. While addressing fiscal consolidation, it also focuses on inclusive and sustained human development.

The finance minister needs to be complimented for moving ahead with its vision of creating significant infrastructure assets to take India to a high growth orbit. Significant allocations have been made on roads and rail. The adherence to the path of fiscal consolidation while attempting to maintain the quality of deficit would help build credibility and promote investor confidence. Raising the outlay on affordable housing and encouraging capex in states is another welcome announcement. CII particularly welcomes the enhanced outlay on education, healthcare, and skill development with a view to increasing opportunities for the youth and realizing the demographic dividend.

The Budget has retained an agrarian and rural pivot. A comprehensive set of measures have been announced to improve agriculture competitiveness and generate the interest of the private sector. The creation of the agri accelerator fund for agri startups in the Budget would encourage investment in the agri start-up ecosystem.

Besides, the focus on diversification of agriculture towards animal husbandry, fishery, dairy, emphasis on production of millets, creating an efficient information network, increasing the target for agriculture credit, creation of digital public infrastructure are encouraging initiatives which would have a salutary impact on raising agriculture productivity and boosting farmer income.

The Budget rightly recognizes the importance of sustainability and climate as an integral component of our development journey which is intrinsically linked to survival challenge.

Overall, a coherent, purposive and pragmatic Budget, having beneficial provisions for almost all the segments of the society.

IEP Chandigarh, February 1

Bringing a new technological convenience to provide a hassle-free experience for visitors during the 36th Edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, a smart parking facility has been introduced by the Haryana Tourism and the Surajkund Mela Authority.

Speaking on this latest development, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation and Chief Administrator, Surajkund Mela Authority, Dr. Neeraj Kumar said, “The parking facility at Surajkund Mela is being revolutionised with the introduction of smart parking for a hassle-free experience. BookMyShow along with Park+ has been engaged to enable smart parking solutions at Surajkund Mela grounds.”

He said that the technology will be FASTag enabled for easy payments and visitors will now be able to use the Park+ app to discover, book and prepay for a parking spot at government approved parking areas, near the mela. “This is the first time in the country that such advanced parking and online ticket booking technology is being used for such an event. It is the constant endeavour of Haryana Tourism and Surajkund Mela Authority to introduce new technological conveniences and provide a hassle-free experience for visitors every year,” said Dr. Neeraj Kumar.

The Surajkund Mela is geared up with the participation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as the ‘Partner Nation’ and the North Eastern Region of India as the ‘Theme State’. “Together they will spread their traditional vibes, art and craft in this gargantuan, colourful and global platform,” he added.

To use the app-based parking services, the visitors are required to download the Park+ app (available on iOS & Android), enter the location to park the vehicle, choose the parking spot and book it for the time duration by paying for it through the app.