GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1465
ANSWERED ON-22.08.2013
1465 . SHRI PANKAJ BORA
(a) whether Government has any plan to increase the retirement age of Government employees; and
(b) if so, by when and if not, the reasons therefor?
Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Prime Minister’s Office Shri V Narayanasamy has said that rtionline web portal is another milestone in the regime of RTI that will further promote participation of our citizens in the process of governance and policy making decisions of the Government.Speaking at the launch of the portal in New Delhi today he said though presently this facility has been provided to Central Ministries, DoPT will consider extending this facility to the subordinate and attached offices of Central Government also. The Minister also appealed to the State Governments to consider developing similar facility of filing online RTI applications. Referring to the RTI Act as one of the biggest achievements of our democracy, Shri Narayansamy said that it has empowered the citizenry in an unprecedented manner to participate in nation building by promoting transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.
The rtionline web portal has been developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC) at the initiative of Department of Personnel and Training. The url of this portal is https://rtionline.gov.in.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has notified that the Aadhaar Card is a valid proof for opening of a bank account under the Know Your Customer (KYC) scheme.
RBI vide its circular dated 28.09.2011 has advised banks to accept the Aadhar letter issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as an officially valid document for opening bank accounts without any limitations applicable to small accounts.
The Social Justice & Empowerment Ministry’s Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes(Prevention of Atrocities)Act, 1989, due Central assistance is provided to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, inter-alia, towards incentive for inter-caste marriages, where one of the spouses belongs to a Scheduled Caste. The incentive amount varies in States and is presently Rs. 10,000/ to Rs. 5,00,000/-. The details of Central assistance provided to the States/Union Territories under the aforesaid Scheme towards incentives for inter-caste marriages during the last three years and the current year are:
Some specialist doctors leave Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) prematurely. However, the attrition level of specialist doctors is showing a declining trend from 2010 onwards. The attrition level of specialists and super specialists in AFMS which was 2.9% in 2010 declined to 1.8% in 2011 and 1.7% in 2012.
For retaining specialist doctors additional marks are awarded for professional qualifications while considering them for promotions by the concerned Promotion Boards. In addition they are retained in specialty related appointments as far as possible.
The government may make the anouncement in the Prime Minister's 15 August address
A proposal to increase the retirement age of government employees from 60 to 62 years came to the Cabinet on Thursday but a decision was deferred. The government might make the announcement in the Prime Minister’s Independence Day address, his last before general elections in 2014. The ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions has proposed an increase in retirement age of government employees from 60 to 62 years, top sources confirmed.
There are around five million central government employees in India. The previous occassion the government raised the retirement age of central government employees was in 1998, from 58 to 60 years. The move is meant to ease the financial burden on the government in terms of its pension liabilities, sources said.
On the basis of the result of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2013 held on 26.05.2013, the candidates with the following Roll Numbers have qualified for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2013.
The candidature of these candidates is provisional. In accordance with the Rules of the Examination, all these candidates have to apply again in the Detailed Application Form DAF (CSM), for CS(Main) Examination, 2013 which would be available on the website of the Union Public Service Commission www.upsc.gov.inHYPERLINK "http://www.upsc.gov.in/". All the qualified candidates are advised to fill up the DAF (CSM) and submit the same ONLINE for admission to the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2013 to be held from 1st December 2013. The DAF (CSM) will be available on the website of the Commission from 20th August, 2013 till 11.59 PM on 10th September 2013. Important instructions regarding filling up of the DAF (CSM) and submitting the same ONLINE to the Commission would also be available on the website. The candidates who have been declared successful have to first get themselves registered on the relevant page of the website before filling up the ONLINE Detailed Application Form. The qualified candidates are further advised to refer to the Rules of the Civil Services Examination, 2013 published in the gazette of India (Extraordinary) of Department of Personnel and Training notification dated 05.03.2013, which is also available on the website of the Commission.
PRESS INSFORMATION BUREAU
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Revision of Income Criterion to exclude Socially Advanced Persons/ Sections (Creamy Layer) from list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for increase in the present income criterion of Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum for applying the Creamy Layer restriction throughout the country, for excluding Socially Advanced Persons/Sections (Creamy Layer) from the purview of reservation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The new income criterion will be Rs. 6 lakh per annum. The increase in the income limit to exclude the Creamy Layer is in keeping with the increase in the Consumer Price Index and would enable more persons to take advantage of reservation benefits extended to OBCs in government services and admission to central educational institutions.
This would bring about equity and greater inclusiveness in society. The Department of Personnel and Training and the Ministry of Human Resource Development would issue necessary orders to this effect.
Source: PIB
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 6472
ANSWERED ON 07.05.2013
TRADE UNION STRIKE
6472 . Shri BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB
SANJAY SHAMRAO DHOTRE
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) Whether the trade unions have organized two days strike/bandh on 20 and 21 February, 2013 in the country;
(b) If so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) Whether the Government has constituted a Committee to examine the reasons behind the protests and violence and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) The details of the main recommendations of the Committee along with the outcome thereof and the follow-up action taken by the Government thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI R. P. N. SINGH )
(a) & (d): Yes Madam. Trade unions have organized two days strike/bandh on 20 and 21 February, 2013 in the country. The agitation is to press for their 10-point charter of demands including check on price rise, strict enforcement of labour laws, concrete measures for employment generation, universal social security cover for workers and creation of a National Social Security Fund, stoppage of contractorisation of work of permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages and other benefits to contract workers at par with regular workers, amendment to Minimum Wages Act for fixation of statutory minimum wages @ Rs. 10,000 per month and stoppage of disinvestment in PSUs.
(c) & (d): Hon’ble Minister for Labour & Employement had held a meeting on 13.02.2013 with the representatives of All the Major Central Trade Unions and requested them not to resort to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013. Subsequently, GOM consisting of Senior Cabinet Ministers held round of discussion on 18.02.2013 and conveyed the serious intent of the Government to resolve various issues raised in their charter of demands. Inspite of the meeting, the Major Central Trade Unions have resorted to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013. The discussions by the GOM with the representatives of the Major Central Trade Unions is a continuous process and is scheduled next on 22.05.2013 to resolve the demands.
No Madam, No committee has been constituted by the Government to examine the reasons behind the protests and violence. However, Hon’ble Minister of Labour & Employment has held a meeting on 13.02.2013 with the representatives of Major Central Trade Union and requested them not to resort to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013. Subsequently, GOM consisting of Senior Cabinet Ministers held a round of discussion on 18.02.2013 and convey the serious intent of the Government to resolve various issues raised in their demand. Inspite of that all the Major Central Trade Unions resorted to strike on 20th & 21st February, 2013 throughout the country.
Source: www.loksabha.nic.in
Based on the results of the written part of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2012 held by the Union Public Service Commission in October, 2012 and the interviews for Personality Test held in March-April, 2013, following is the list, in order of merit, of candidates who have been recommended for appointment to: -
[i] Indian Administrative Service;
[ii] Indian Foreign Service;
[iii] Indian Police Service; and
[iv] Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’.
A total number of 998 candidates have been recommended for appointment including 457 General (including 23 Physically challenged candidates), 295 Other Backward Classes (including 09 Physically challenged candidates), 169 Scheduled Castes (including 02 Physically challenged candidate) and 77 Scheduled Tribes candidates against 1091 vacancies ( 550 General, 295 Other Backward Classes, 169 Scheduled Castes and 77 Scheduled Tribes).
2. Appointment to the various Services will be made according to the number of vacancies available with due consideration to the provisions contained in Rules 2 and 19 of the Rules for the Examination and subject to the final decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court /Hon’ble High Court / Hon’ble C.A.Ts. on the S.L.Ps. / R.As/ W.Ps./O.As. pending therein. The number of vacancies reported by the Government for the Indian Administrative Service is 180 ( 94 General, 45 Other Backward Classes, 28 Scheduled Castes and 13 Scheduled Tribes); for the Indian Foreign Service is 30 (16 General, 09 Other Backward Classes, 05 Scheduled Castes and ` NIL’ Scheduled Tribes); for the Indian Police Service is 150 (75 General, 41 Other Backward Classes, 23 Scheduled Castes and 11 Scheduled Tribes); for the Central Services Group ‘A’ is 630 (323 General, 172 Other Backward Classes, 89 Scheduled Castes and 24 Scheduled Tribes) and for Central Services Group ‘B’ is 101 ( 42 General, 28 Other Backward Classes, 24 Scheduled Castes and 07 Scheduled Tribes). This includes 34 vacancies for physically challenged candidates in Central Services Group “A”& “B”.
Click here for the full list
The UPSC has declared the final results of Civil Services Examination, 2012 on Friday, the 3rd May, 2013. The following are the important highlights of the results :
The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2012 was conducted on 20th May, 2012. A record number of 5,36,506 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 2,71,422 candidates have actually appeared.
13,092 candidates were declared qualified for the Main written examination held in October, 2012 out of which 2674 candidates were selected for the Personality Test conducted in March-April, 2012. Finally 998 candidates (753 Male & 245 Female) have been recommended for appointment to the IAS, IFS, IPS and other Central Services against 1091 reported vacancies. Vacancies unfilled presently are on account of 92 reserved community candidates qualifying on general standards. Depending on the options exercised by these candidates for service allocation, these vacancies will be filled by candidates recommended from the Reserve List that is maintained by the Commission.
TOP position has been taken by Female candidate, Ms. Haritha V. Kumar (Roll No.075502). She has done B.Tech (E&C) from Kerala University. This is her 4th attempt.
2nd rank is of Shri V. Sriram (Roll No.494891). He has done MBBS from Kerala University. This is his 2nd Attempt.
3rd position is bagged by another Female candidate Ms. Stuti Charan (Roll No.038970). She has done B.Sc from Jodhpur University and PG Diploma in Personnel & Marketing Management from IIPM, Delhi. This is her 3rd attempt.
TOP position in GENERAL, ST and SC categories have been secured by Female candidates. Amongst top 25 candidates there are 13 Male and 12 Female candidates.
The result also showcases the pan-India distribution of successful candidates of this Examination. Amongst the top 25 candidates, there are candidates claiming domicile from as many as 12 States/UTs i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu, & Uttar Pradesh.
The family background of top 25 candidates shows diverse representation from all walks of life with their parents being Farmer, Teacher, Businessman, Govt. servant, Doctor, Advocate, Professor & Civil servant.
Amongst top 25 candidates 6 have made to the merit list in their 1st attempt; 9 in 2nd attempt; 8 in 3rd attempt; and 01 each in 4th & 6th attempts. As many as 04 have already been recommended to services other than IAS on the basis of Civil Services Examinations of previous years.
Of the top 25 candidates - 12 appeared from Delhi; 4 from Thiruvanathapuram, 2 each from Chennai & Hyderabad; and 1 each from Jammu, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Allahabad Centres.
PIB
Under the Merit-Cum-Means based scholarship Scheme for students belonging to the notified minority communities full course fee is reimbursed in respect of the 85 Listed Institutions only. For students in other Institutions upto to Rs. 20,000/- is reimbursed.
There is no separate Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship scheme for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Under the existing Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBCs, there is a provision for reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees in addition to maintenance allowance, reader charges for blind students, study tour charges, thesis typing/printing charges, book allowances for students pursuing correspondence course, etc for complete duration of the course.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri P. Balram Naik in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
PIB
F.No.4/11/3/2013-IR
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Financial Services
Jeevan Deep, Parliament Street,
New Delhi, dated the April 4, 2013
The Chairman and Managing Directors of PSBs
Subject: Guidelines for Promotions in Public Sector Banks – 2013-14
I am directed to refer to this Department’s letter number 4/1 1/1/2011-FR dated 14th March, 2012, 3rd May, 2012 and 15th June, 2012 on the subject cited above and to say that the references received from several banks regarding relaxations for promotions for the year 2013-14 have been examined in this Department.
2. It has been decided that Banks can, with the approval of their Boards, provide relaxations, if required, in the guidelines on promotions. Reasons for any such relaxation/deviation must be properly recorded in the minutes of the Board meetings.
3. However, any relaxation/change in the following provisions in the promotion guidelines referred to in para 1 above would require prior approval of the Government:-
a) Minimum experience requirement at each scale. However, Banks may with the prior approval of their Boards provide a further relaxation of 3 months in the minimum experience requirement at each scale.
b) Minimum requirement of APAR marks. However, Banks may, with the prior approval of their Board, relax the requirement of marks in APAR to an average of 75% marks of APAR with minimum 60% in each preceding five years.
c) The requirement of rural/semi urban experience. However, Banks may decide with the prior approval of their Boards, if the stipulated tenure of rural/semi-urban experience is required to be continuous or in parts.
d) The requirement of length of service in specialized cadre before promotion or prior to joining the mainstream cadre.
e) The requirement of the zone of consideration. However, Banks may with the prior approval of their Boards relax the Zone of consideration so as to include all officers promoted on the same date/batch.
4. Banks are advised to take appropriate action in the matter with due approval of their Board of Directors.
5. This issues with the approval of Secretary (FS).
Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Vijay Malhotra)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Source:www.financialservices.gov.in
Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued revised instructions to Cellular Mobile Telephone Service and Unified Access Services Licensees vide letter dated 09.08.2012 on verification of Mobile Subscribers after review of existing instructions. New instructions are aimed at improving customer verification compliance. These instructions inter-alia prescribe the following:
(i) A passport size photograph should be pasted on the Customer Acquisition Form (CAF) and the documents as proof of identity and proof of address of the subscriber should be attached with the CAF.
(ii) The person at the Point of Sale has to get the CAF duly filled and signed (in case of illiterate person thumb impression) by the subscriber with date. The authorized person at PoS has to record in the CAF that he has seen the subscriber and matched the photograph attached on the CAF with the subscriber and verified his copies of documents of proof of address and proof of identity attached with the CAF with the original and has to put his signature on the CAF & all attached documents.
(iii) The mobile connection is to be activated only after the requirement of filling up CAF and copies of documentary proof as per requirement have been fulfilled by the customer and the subscriber details have been updated in the subscriber database of the Licensee and the employee of licensee has verified the same.
(iv) After activation of SIM also the subscriber is to be tele-verified by the Licensee.
As far as retailers are concerned, they are contractors of the licensees and these instructions are not addressed to the retailers.
The detailed instructions dated 09.08.2012 are available at DoT website at http: //www.dot.gov.in/as/2012/DOC181012.pdf
In these instructions, apart from the penalties prescribed in other instructions issued form time to time, the following additional provisions of penalty have inter-alia been made in these instructions:
(i) In case, the Licensee fails to intimate about the disconnection to TERM Cell within 7 days of disconnection, a penalty of Rs. 3000/- per connection per week or part thereof shall be levied.
(ii) If it is detected that the number was not actually disconnected on or before the date of confirmation/disconnection, then a penalty @ Rs. 1000 per day from the date of intimation to the Licensee to the date of actual disconnection shall be levied in addition to the penalty for non-disconnection.
The following provisions have inter-alia been re-iterated in these instructions regarding point of sale/ franchisees in case of forged document cases:
(i) Police complaint/ FIR shall be lodged by the Point of Sale (PoS)/Franchisee against the subscriber in case forged documents are submitted by the subscriber and originals are also forged.
(ii) Licensee shall lodge FIR/ Complaint against the subscriber and Franchisee/PoS in case of failure of PoS/Franchisee in lodging complaint/FIR against subscriber.
(iii) The Licensee shall lodge the compliant / FIR against the Franchisee/ point of sale and financial penalty shall also be imposed in case forgery has been done by point of sale/ franchisee.
(iv) In case action as above is not taken by the Licensee or Licensee itself is involved in forgery, Telecom Enforcement Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cell of DoT shall lodge Complaint/ FIR against Licensee. Penalty shall also be imposed on all such forged cases.
(v) Where it is found that the act of issuing connections was done by PoS using the document of some other subscriber or any person, or the documents were forged by the franchisee/PoS, the concerned PoS/franchisee may be terminated by the Licensee in addition to lodging of complaint / FIR against it. Other Licensees shall also terminate/ not appoint any such PoS.
In the new instructions, some additional safeguards have been made in the interest of national security. There does not seem any provision leading to undue hardship to consumers.
This information was given by Shri Milind Deora, Minister of State for C&IT in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1446
ANSWERED ON 06.03.2013
TRANSPARENT ACRS PROCESS
1446 . Dr. SOLANKI KIRITBHAI PREMAJIBHAI
Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the ACRs of SC/ST employees of Central Government and PSUs are graded as good and fair only;
(b) if so, the extent to which their promotion opportunities have been affected as a result thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate a transparent process in ACRs especially for the SC/ST employees; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the corrective measures taken by the Government to ensure justice to the SC/ST employees?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a): No, Madam.
(b): In view of above, question does not arise.
(c) & (d): Government instructions already provide for communicating full ACR (nomenclature now modified as Annual Performance Assessment Report (APAR)/ Performance Appraisal Report (PAR) to all officers/employees. The object is to give an opportunity to the public servant to improve the performance and to make Performance Appraisal System more consultative and transparent. All officers/employees are given the opportunity to make representation against the entries and the final grading given in the Report.
Source:http://164.100.47.132/LssNew/psearch/QResult15.aspx?qref=135937
Department of Disability Affairs under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment administers the following major schemes for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities: (i) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) under which financial assistance is provided to Non-governmental organizations running projects for the welfare of persons with disabilities & (ii) Schemes of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP) under which assistance is provided to Implementing Agencies for providing aids and appliances to persons with disabilities.
Besides, seven National Institutes (NIs), eight Composite Regional Centers (CRCs) and 220 District Disability Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) under the Ministry are engaged in human resource development, providing rehabilitation services to the persons with disabilities, research & development efforts and awareness generation etc.
Enhancement of budget depends on factors like requirement, availability and utilization of funds. Notwithstanding this the budget for the disability sector has been increasing over the years.
Under DDRS and ADIP Schemes, grants are released on receipt of recommendations of the State Govt. and the inspection report in respect of a particular NGO/Agency. In the case of ADIP, the recommending authority also conducts 5 to 10% test check of the beneficiaries from the previous grant to the organization. The organizations are also required to furnish audited utilization certificate in respect of the previous grant.
The National Institutes, their Regional Centres and Composite Regional Centres have been allocated States/UTs for inspection and monitoring of the NGOs/ Implementing Agencies receiving grants under the disability related schemes.
The Department has nominated Nodal Officers for various regions, States/UTs for monitoring the implementation of various schemes.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
PF Accounts through E-Mails/Sms
Status of sending the monthly details of the Provident Fund accounts to employees is as follows:
(i) The updated Provident Fund (PF) accounts are available online on the EPFO website i.e. wwe.epfindia.gov.in from August 2012 and the Provident Fund accounts of members are updated as and when the contribution is received. Members can view and take printout from anywhere any time.
(ii) Since April 2012, there is a facility for the employers to download the annual accounts slips for their employees from the accounting year 2010-2011 onwards.
(iii) The updated balance in EPF account can be obtained by an EPFO member through SMS by furnishing his PF number and mobile number by using “know your EPF Balance” facility in EPFO website.
(iv) The monthly details of Provident Fund (PF) accounts of EPF members are, presently, not sent through e-mails.
The Minister of State for Labour & Employment Minister Shri Kodikunnil Suresh gave this information in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 632
ANSWERED ON 27.02.2013
RECOMMENDATION TO RAISE RETIREMENT AGE
632 . Shri MITHLESH
Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-
(a) whether there is any recommendation to increase the age of retirement of Government employees to 62 years;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the age of retirement has also been kept optional; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a): No, Madam.
(b), (c) & (d): Do not arise.
Source: www.loksabha.nic.in
The Union Budget for 2013-14 aims at higher growth rate leading to inclusive and sustainable development as ‘mool mantra’.
· Finance Minister makes three promises: to women, youth and the poor.
· Nirbhaya Fund to empower women and to keep them safe and secure.
· Proposal to set up India’s first Women’s Bank as a public sector bank.
· Rs. 1,000 crore for skill development of ten lakh youth to enhance their employability and productivity.
· Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme to be rolled out throughout the country during the term of UPA Government.
· Fiscal Deficit for 2013-14 is pegged at 4.8 percent of GDP. The Revenue Deficit will be 3.3 percent for the same period.
· Plan Expenditure placed at Rs. 5,55,322 crore. It is 33.3 percent of the total expenditure while Non Plan Expenditure is estimated at Rs. 11,09,975 crore. The plan expenditure in 2013-14 will be 29.4 percent more than the RE of the current year i.e. 2012-13.
· Substantial rise in allocation to the social sector. Allocation for Rural Development Ministry raised by 46 percent to Rs. 80,194 crore.
· The target for farm credit for 2013-14 has been set at Rs. 7,00,000 crore against Rs. 5,75,000 crore during the current year.
· Rs. 10,000 crore earmarked for National Food Security towards the incremental cost.
· Education gets Rs. 65,867 crore, an increase of 17 percent over RE for 2012-13.
· ICDS gets Rs. 17,700 crore. This is 11.7 percent more than the current year.
· Drinking water and sanitation will receive Rs. 15,260 crore. Rs. 1,400 crore is being provided for setting up water purification plants to cover arsenic and fluoride affected rural areas.
· Health and Family Welfare Ministry has been allotted Rs. 37,330 crore. National Health Mission will get Rs. 21,239 crore which represents 24.3 percent over the RE.
· The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) will receive Rs. 14,873 crore as against RE of Rs. 7,383 crore in the current year.
· Defence has been allocated Rs. 2,03,672 crore.
· Rs. 3,511 crore have been earmarked to Minority Affairs Ministry, 60 percent higher than RE for 2012-13.
· The Government will encourage Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF) and allow some institutions to raise tax free bonds upto Rs. 50,000 crore which is 100 percent more than the current year.
· India Infrastructure Finance Corporation (IIFC), in partnership with ADB will help infrastructure companies to access bond market to tap long term funds.
· Income limit under Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS) will be raised from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh.
· First home loan from a bank or housing finance corporation upto Rs. 25 lakh entitled to additional deduction of interest upto Rs. 1 lakh.
· Proposal to launch Inflation Indexed Bonds or Inflation Indexed National Security Certificates to protect savings from inflation.
· On oil and gas exploration policy, the Budget proposes to move from the present profit sharing mechanism to revenue sharing. Natural gas pricing policy will be reviewed.
· On coal, the Budget proposes adoption of a policy of pooled pricing.
· Benefits or preferences enjoyed by MSME to continue upto three years after they grow out of this category.
· Refinancing capacity of SIDBI raised to Rs. 10,000 crore.
· Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for textile to continue in 12th Plan with an investment target of Rs. 1,51,000 crore.
· Rs. 14,000 crore will be provided to public sector banks for capital infusion in 2013-14.
· A grant of Rs. 100 crore each has been made to 4 institutions of excellence including Aligarh Muslim University, Banaras Hindu University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
· New taxes to yield Rs. 18,000 crore.
· A surcharge of 10 percent on persons (other than companies) whose taxable income exceeds Rs.1 crore have been levied.
· Tobacco products, SUVs and Mobile Phones to cost more.
· Relief of Rs. 2000 for the tax payers in the first bracket of 2 to 5 lakhs.
· ‘Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme’ launched for recovering service tax dues.
· Rs. 9,000 crore earmarked as the first installment of balance of CST compensations to different States/UTs.
The Finance Bill 2013-14 proposes additional tax benefit to the first – home buyer who takes a loan for an amount not exceeding Rs.25 lakh. Presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha today, the Finance Minister Shri P.Chidambaram proposed that a person taking a loan for his first home from a bank or a housing finance corporation upto Rs.25 lakh during the period 1.4.2013 to 31.3.2014 will be entitled to an additional deduction of interest of Rs.1 lakh.
The Finance Minister hoped that this will promote home-ownership and give a filip to a number of industries like steel, cement, brick, wood, glass etc besides jobs to thousands of construction workers.
This deduction will be over and above the deduction of Rs.1.50 lakh allowed for self-occupied properties under Section 24 of the Income Tax Act. If the limit is not exhausted, the balance may be claimed in AY 2015-16.
