Mr. Palaniappan Chidambaram, the Finance Minister of India, delivered his budget speech while presenting the Union Budget of India, also called the Indian General Budget, for the Financial Year 1996-1997 on Monday, July 22, 1996 in New Delhi.
Ministry of Finance, Government of India – Finance Minister’s Budget Speech for Financial Year 1996-1997
New Delhi (Delhi, India), August 12, 2018
Mr. Palaniappan Chidambaram, the Finance Minister of India, delivered his budget speech while presenting the Union Budget of India, also called the Indian General Budget, for the Financial Year 1996-1997 on Monday, July 22, 1996 in New Delhi.
Budget Speech by Hon’ble Minister of Finance Mr. Palaniappan Chidambaram on July 22, 1996
Budget Speech – PART A
Mr. Speaker Sir,
Sir, rise to present the regular budget for the year 1996-97.
Introduction
2. An unusually peaceful general election produced an unusually complex mandate. It was the duty of every political party to be faithful to that mandate. Accordingly, political parties of different complexions and different ideologies have come together to form this government. Many of them are regional parties, albeit with a national outlook. What has united us is a resolve to preserve India’s secular heritage and to provide a representative government committed to faster economic growth and enhanced social justice.
3. The United Front is a coalition. Before assuming office, the partners of the coalition finalised a document called “A Common Approach to Major Policy Matters and a Minimum Programme”, popularly called the CMP. This historic document was released to the nation by our Prime Minister, Shri Deve Gowda, on June 4, 1996. When I began work on the CMP, I was not even a Minister. When we completed our exercise, I found myself in the office of Finance Minister. Therefore, my commitment to the CMP goes beyond the office I hold. Hon’ble Members will have many opportunities this afternoon to test my commitment and they will find that the CMP has provided the foundation and set the agenda for this Budget.
4. An Update of the Economic Survey 1995-96 was laid on the Table of the House last Friday. It is a slim document of no more than 21 pages and I hope it made for good weekend reading. Our conclusions are that the economic indicators point to high growth but there are significant areas of weakness. The Update has identified these areas as the fiscal deficit, sluggish agricultural growth, inadequate infrastructure, high interest rates and the trade deficit. The most worrisome is the decline in the growth of agricultural crop production to 0.9 per cent in 1995-96. The Update has also listed fiscal challenge, infrastructure challenge and employment and poverty alleviation as key issues which need to be addressed on a priority basis.
5. The CMP has declared that the government will follow economic policies that will promote growth with social justice and lead to greater self-reliance. We have no use for jobless growth; nor for growth that leaves untouched large sections of the people. We will remove controls and regulations over agriculture and industry. We will keep our economy open and competitive in order to encourage more foreign trade and attract more foreign investment. We will reform the tax system. We will broaden and deepen reforms of the financial and capital markets even while strengthening independent regulators like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Above all, we will observe fiscal and monetary prudence, which is the key to low inflation and rapid growth.
6. This Budget, therefore, has seven broad objectives:
– To remain steadfast on the course of economic reforms and liberalisation aimed at accelerating economic growth.
– To address the concerns of the poor and provide them with basic minimum services in a time-bound manner.
– To ensure broad-based growth in agriculture, industry and services to achieve high employment.
– To ensure fiscal prudence and macro-economic stability.
– To enhance investment, especially in the infrastructure sectors.
– To strengthen key interventions to promote human development.
– To ensure viability in the balance of payments through strong export performance and larger foreign investment flows.
I shall now deal with the major areas of the economy and spell out our policy initiatives in order to achieve the objectives that I have just listed.
Agriculture & Rural Credit
7. The Common Minimum Programme lays emphasis on broad-based agricultural development and calls for a doubling of the flow of credit to agriculture and agroindustries, particularly to small and marginal farmers, within five years. We have evolved an integrated plan consisting of several elements for fulfilling this important objective.
8. First, the share capital of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will be increased from the present level of Rs. 500 crore to Rs. 2,000 crore in the next five years. I propose to double NABARD’s paid up share capital to Rs. 1,000 crore in the current year. A budgetary provision of Rs. 100 crore is being made towards the Government of India’s share and the balance Rs. 400 crore will be contributed by the Reserve Bank of India.
9. Second, the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), which is operated by NABARD and funded by contributions from commercial banks falling short of their priority lending targets will be augmented considerably. The RIDF provides loans to State governments for completion of projects in areas like medium and minor irrigation, soil conservation and watershed management. During 1995-96, NABARD sanctioned loans aggregating Rs. 1,984 crore to 19 States for completing 2,489 projects. During the current financial year, an additional Rs. 2,500 crore will be made available for financing rural infrastructure through the RIDF.
10. In addition to the RIDF, I am proposing an Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme under which the Centre will provide, on a matching basis, additional Central assistance by way of loans to the States for the timely completion of selected large irrigation and multi-purpose projects. I am making an allocation of Rs. 800 crore in 1996-97 to launch this scheme, which is designed to accelerate the completion of irrigation projects where the project cost exceeds Rs. 1,000 crore and is beyond the resource capability of the States. I am also allocating Rs. 100 crore in the current financial year for irrigation projects where, with just a little additional resources, the projects could be completed and farmers could get the benefit of assured water supply. 100,000 hectares will be brought under irrigation through these schemes and I have been assured that the first crop will be harvested on these lands during one of the next four agricultural seasons. Details of the large projects and the projects to benefit 100,000 hectares will be announced by the Planning Commission in the next few days. This programme will be closely monitored by the Department of Programme Implementation.
11. Fourth, to promote investment in commercial or high technology agriculture and allied activities such as horticulture, floriculture and agro-processing, state level agricultural development finance institutions are proposed to be set up. NABARD will be the chief promoter. Other national level financial institutions as well as the State governments concerned will be requested to participate in the equity.
12. Fifth, it has been agreed with RBI to promote the setting up of new private local area banks with jurisdiction over two or three contiguous districts. This would enable the mobilisation of rural savings by local institutions and, at the same time, make them available for investments in the local areas.
13. Finally, we have taken a number of decisions that will directly benefit the farmers. Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister announced increases in the subsidies for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers. Government have decided to extend the subsidy under the Integrated Cereal Development – Rice Programme to power tillers at the rate of Rs. 30,000 or 50% of the cost for each power tiller. The subsidy scheme on small tractors at the rate of Rs. 30,000 per tractor is presently restricted to small and marginal farmers. I am extending this scheme to all farmers. I am also enhancing the subsidy on sprinkler and drip irrigation from 50% to 70% of the cost of the system and the ceiling is also being raised from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per hectare. In respect of small and marginal farmers, women and scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, this limit is being raised to 90% of the cost of the system.
Basic Minimum Services
14. One of the first acts of the Prime Minister, Shri Deve Gowda, was to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers on Basic Minimum Services. This reflects the resolve of the United Front to “advance the principles of political, administrative and economic federalism”. The Chief Ministers’ Conference recommended adoption of seven objectives to be attained by the year 2000. These are 100% coverage of provision of safe drinking water; 100% coverage of primary health centres; universalisation of primary education; public housing assistance to all shelter-less poor families; extension of the mid-day meal scheme; road connectivity to all villages and habitations; and streamlining the public distribution system targeted to families below the poverty line.
15. These objectives are now being served by Centrally-sponsored schemes and schemes in State Plans. Hon’ble Members will be glad to know that I am providing an additional amount of Rs. 2,466 crore as Central assistance for State and UT plans to significantly increase the availability of funds for these schemes. From this amount, it is our intention to allocate about Rs. 250 crore to provide shelter and other basic amenities to slum dwellers. The distribution of this enhanced allocation across the seven schemes and across States and Union Territories will be determined by the Planning Commission in consultation with them.
Infrastructure Financing
16. The Update of the Economic Survey has highlighted the enormous challenge on the infrastructure front. The state of our infrastructure – particularly power and roads – is very poor. We cannot sustain a 7 per cent growth unless we can revitalise these infrastructure sectors. Huge funds are also required for telecom, railways and ports.
17. Infrastructure needs long-term finance, typically 15-20 year financial instruments. However, it has not been possible to float such instruments in the Indian market so far. Hence, I am proposing the establishment of an Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC). This company will be incorporated with an authorised share capital of Rs. 5,000 crore. The Central government, the RBI, banks and financial institutions will contribute to the share capital. I am making a budgetary provision of Rs. 500 crore in the current financial year as the contribution of the Central government. The RBI’s initial contribution to the share capital will also be Rs. 500 crore. Among other things, the IDFC will act as a direct lender, as a refinancing institution and as a provider of financial guarantees. I believe that the IDFC will induce investors, both Indian and foreign, to make available long-term funds at the lowest possible market rates.
18. I am also proposing some tax incentives for infrastructure investment, which I shall outline later.
19. Hon’ble Members are aware that the Central government has already set up the National Highway Authority of India. We need a world-class national highway system in place very quickly. I have decided to provide a sum of Rs. 200 crore to strengthen the capital base of the National Highway Authority of India. The Authority will now be in a position to leverage resources for highway development from both within India and from outside.
Small-Scale Industry
20. The entrepreneur-driven small-scale sector forms the backbone of our industry. I am deeply committed to strengthening this sector. The following set of measures will be put in place immediately.
– First, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has an unutilised corpus of about Rs. 175 crore in its Technology Development and Modernisation Fund Scheme. I am now proposing that SIDBI should refinance the State Financial Corporations (SFCs) and commercial banks for modernisation projects upto Rs. 50 lakh. This will decentralise decisionmaking to the advantage of small-scale units seeking modernisation funds from SFCs and banks.
– Second, refinance is now provided for the Single Window Scheme of SFCs etc. for composite loans up to Rs. 50 lakh. I am doubling this ceiling to Rs. 100 lakh.
– Third, SIDBI will participate in venture capital funds set up by public sector institutions as well as private companies up to 50% of the total corpus of the fund, provided such a fund is dedicated to the financing of small-scale industry.
– Fourth, in order to encourage a larger number of small-scale units to seek ISO 9000 certification of quality, lending institutions will be permitted to lend to the ultimate borrowers on the same terms and conditions as SIDBI’s direct lending scheme. SIDBI will provide refinance assistance to these lending institutions.
Science & Technology
21. Science and technology is the key to economic progress and prosperity. Indian scientists and technologists have accomplished a great deal, especially in the areas of agriculture, space, atomic energy and defence. There is now need for a massive renewal of our science and technology infrastructure.
22. I propose to extend a matching one-time grant for the modernisation of the laboratories and institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). I will match every commercial rupee that the CSIR and ICAR earn incrementally in the next two years with another rupee from the Budget.
23. I also propose to strengthen the Fund for Technology Development and Application, which was created in 1994-95 to help indigenously developed technologies reach the stage of commercial application. The interim Budget had provided Rs. 10 crore. As a demonstration of this government’s commitment to science and technology, I am immediately making available Rs. 30 crore. The Department of Science & Technology will announce the constitution of the Technology Development Board shortly.
Public Distribution System
24. The Common Minimum Programme states that the Public Distribution System will be strengthened to meet the twin objectives of price stability and making available essential articles to the poor. It is, therefore, proposed to restructure the PDS. A beginning will be made where the need is most acutely felt. The restructured PDS will serve households below the poverty line. Details of the restructured PDS are being worked out and will be announced in due course.
Pay Commission
25. The Fifth Pay Commission is expected to submit its report by the end of September 1996. Funds have been provided in this Budget as well as the Railway Budget to meet the anticipated expenditure. Meanwhile, I am happy that the question of granting another installment of interim relief has been sorted out satisfactorily.
Other Welfare Measures
26. The Prime Minister has repeatedly declared that this government is a government of the poor and for the poor. Growth with social justice will be the motto of this government. Unless the country’s GDP grows at over 7% per year in the next 10 years, we will not be able to abolish poverty and unemployment. However, there is a need to identify vulnerable sections of the people and help them. The Prime Minister has identified some target groups, which deserve to be helped and I am proposing some new initiatives for meeting their special needs. These initiatives will be implemented through the State governments and, as far as possible, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations.
– I am setting apart, initially, a sum of Rs. 5 crore to assist in the establishment of old-age homes and another sum of Rs. 5 crore to assist in the establishment of residential primary schools for poor children irrespective of caste or creed. It is intended that both these programmes should be implemented through non-governmental organisations. The programmes will be firmed up by the Ministries concerned in consultation with the State governments.
– Rs. 10 crore is being provided for giving assistance to States, which have or will set up Women Development Corporations. An additional amount of Rs. 10 crore has been set apart for starting training-cum-production centres or schemes for destitute women in different States.
– I am creating a National Illness Assistance Fund with an initial corpus of Rs. 5 crore. Besides, Rs. 25 crore have been set apart for contributions to the corpus of State Illness Assistance Funds that we would encourage the State governments to establish. 100% of the donations to these funds will be exempt from income tax. These funds will be used to provide assistance to the very poor for surgery or treatment for serious illnesses requiring hospitalisation.
– Rs. 5 crore is being provided to award an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 50,000 per family to the families of lorry and bus drivers who meet with fatal accidents. This will be implemented by the State governments on a reimbursable basis.
– I am making a provision of Rs. 5 crore for building residential facilities for hamals – our brothers who toil day and night. This scheme will also be implemented by the States.
27. Government will consider a scheme of financial assistance to States who confer ownership rights in respect of minor forest produce on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and other weaker sections who work in forests.
Fiscal Discipline
28. The biggest challenge that we face is the fiscal challenge. The United Front government is committed to bringing the fiscal deficit to below 4% of GDP. This is what the Common Minimum Programme says and this is what I intend to do over a period of time. One plank of the strategy is, of course, to raise more revenues. But without a credible public expenditure management policy, no programme of fiscal deficit reduction will be sustained. I believe that no one is against austerity or efficiency as such. At the same time, I accept the position that sound expenditure management is not a mere technocratic exercise but involves issues of equity, fairness and non-discrimination. In order to work out a reasonable policy in this regard, I propose to appoint a high-level Expenditure Management and Reforms Commission comprising distinguished political leaders, economists and administrators. This Commission will be given four months – and I hope no more to submit its recommendations on public expenditure management and control as far as the Central government is concerned. The report will be made public immediately so that we can generate an informed public debate on an issue that has a vital bearing on our economic future.
29. I also propose to place before the House a discussion paper on subsidies. The paper will list all the subsidies, visible and hidden, so that there can be an informed debate and a consensus on the overall level of subsidies as a percentage of GDP and their appropriate targeting.
30. In the meantime, I intend to be strict in matters relating to cash management, project portfolio review, adherence to budgetary ceiling and adequacy of returns from public sector enterprises.
31. Hon’ble Members are aware that in September 1994 an agreement was signed between the Central Government and the RBI to phase out the system of ad-hoc treasury bills by 1997-98. The experience last year and in the current year so far has shown the difficulty of staying below the within-year limit. Nevertheless, I remain convinced that the system of ad-hoc treasury bills must be phased out. However, before this can happen we need to put in place a better expenditure control mechanism. We also need a more transparent method of defining and reporting the true budget deficit, including all forms of monetisation. I shall present concrete proposals in this regard at the time of presentation of next year’s budget so that RBI can have greater autonomy in formulating and implementing monetary policy.
Insurance, Banking and the Capital Market
32. Earlier I made a reference to insurance in the context of long-term finances. LIC and GIC are our two premier institutions in the insurance sector. I intend to strengthen them. The strength of an insurer has to be measured by the range and quality of its services and products and by the number of people availing of those services and products. I am happy to announce that I have been able to persuade LIC and GIC to offer two new services aimed at the middle class and the poor.
33. LIC will offer a new pension scheme called “Jeevan Suraksha”. The details of the new scheme will be announced separately but an illustration of how the scheme will work can be given. A person who subscribes to the scheme at age 30 for a period of 30 years by paying just Rs. 250 per month will get a life pension of Rs. 3,500 per month beginning at age 60. In addition, that person will get 25% of the commuted value of the pension – about Rs. 1 lakh – immediately on retirement. If the insured person dies before retirement, the spouse will be paid a substantial life-long pension. This scheme will meet a long-felt need amongst a large number of people for economic security beyond their working life. To launch this personalcum-family pension scheme, I am proposing some fiscal incentives, which I shall outline later.
34. Medical insurance is an area where the quality of the product can be greatly improved. Under the existing Medicare scheme, the maximum cover available is Rs. 83,000, which is further segmented into different components. This ceiling is being enhanced to Rs. 3 lakh with a single aggregate limit.
35. Furthermore, the GIC will launch a new low price medicare policy appropriate to the vast majority of our people. Jeevan is the brand name for the LIC and we respect intellectual property rights. So we are calling this new scheme “Jan Arogya”. The policy will provide a cover up to Rs. 5,000 per year with an annual premium of only Rs. 70. What is more, a family of four comprising the husband, wife and two children below the age of 25, can pay an annual premium of Rs. 240 and get cover for Rs. 20,000 for the family as a whole. GIC will soon announce the details of this scheme.
36. I have advised LIC and GIC to introduce modern information technology in their business. I have also asked LIC to review the premium structure based on the latest mortality tables.
37. An interim, non-statutory Insurance Regulatory Authority was set up in January 1996. I now propose to introduce a Bill to make it a statutory body and to empower it suitably. When I return to the subject of insurance in the next Budget, I shall address some of the policy parameters outlined in the Common Minimum Programme, including the sequence of steps for the restructuring of the insurance industry.
38. Reform of the banking sector has been an integral part of the process of economic reforms. The public sector banks have shown an improvement in profitability and capital adequacy and are taking steps to adopt improved technology. The entry of private sector banks has added a welcome measure of competition. Hon’ble Members are aware that in the past three years the government provided a total of Rs. 11,840 crore to recapitalise several public sector banks. I am happy to inform the House that three of these banks are now in a position to return part of the capital, amounting to Rs. 747 crore, reflecting an improvement in their performance. This re-flow of resources will help to recapitalise some more public sector banks for which a provision of Rs. 909 crore is being made in 1996-97. Some of the strong public sector banks are also planning to recapitalise themselves by accessing the capital markets directly. Hon’ble Members will be pleased to know that the State Bank of India is today a prized-scrip in the market. I am also providing Rs. 200 crore in 1996-97 for restructuring and recapitalising the Regional Rural Banks.
39. The capital market has a crucial role to play in raising funds for new investment. Government will ensure healthy development of the capital markets through effective regulation, greater transparency and improved trading and settlement practices. Our major stock exchanges have already introduced on line electronic trading. The commencement of a Central Depository, which is expected in the course of this year, will be a historic further step in the modernisation of the capital markets.
40. The present regulations governing foreign institutional investors allow investment only in listed securities. There is also a limit of not more than 5% for an individual FII and an aggregate of 24% for all FIIs in the stock of a listed company. It has been represented that these limits should be liberalised. Besides, FIIs are unable to invest in infrastructure because most infrastructure projects are set up by new companies, which are not expected to be listed for some time. Having regard to these representations, I propose to raise the limit of 5% for an individual FII to 10% subject, however, to the aggregate limit of 24% for all FIIs. I also propose to allow them to invest in unlisted companies in the same manner as they are allowed to invest in listed companies. The revised guidelines are being issued separately by SEBI.
Non Banking Finance Institutions
41. Serious concerns have been expressed from time to time about the activities of a number of non-banking financial institutions, both corporate and non-corporate. I am happy to inform the House that, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, we have decided to bring before this House, amendments to the RBI Act to strengthen the regulatory powers over all kinds of non-banking financial companies.
Corporate Sector
42. It is widely acknowledged that the Companies Act 1956 needs to be rewritten comprehensively. Some work has already been done. I intend to constitute a small drafting team comprising persons with knowledge of law, economics and company affairs to prepare a new draft and make it ready for public debate. My deadline is January 1, 1997.
43. In the meanwhile, I propose to introduce some urgent amendments to the present Act to provide for the following:
– Companies defaulting on payment of interest or repayment of principal on deposits will be debarred from raising further deposits until these defaults are remedied.
– The present ceiling of Rs. 1,000 on the claims of arrears of wages and salaries of employees in case of winding up of a company is absurdly low. This will be enhanced.
– Mutual funds and venture capital funds will be permitted to vote in respect of their holdings in companies.
– Non-voting shares will be permitted up to 25% of the issued equity capital. This will go a long way in meeting the demand for a level playing field.
– Companies in the infrastructure sector will be allowed to issue shares that are redeemable after the expiry of a period of 20 years from the date of issue.
44. Hon’ble Members will agree with me that these changes are necessary and should be introduced right away. Next year, I shall come back to the House with a new Companies Bill.
45. In order to achieve competitiveness, Indian industry must be given easy access to improved technology. At present RBI accords automatic approval for technology imports subject to the requirement that royalty will be limited to 5% on domestic sales and 8% on export sales and that the lump sum payment does not exceed Rs. 1 crore. All other cases require case-by-case approval by the Central government. Industry has represented that the Rs. 1 crore limit for automatic approval needs to be increased. Responding to this demand, it has been decided to increase this limit to US$ 2 million (equivalent to about Rs. 7 crore). With this liberalisation, a large number of technology import cases will not have to come to government.
46. The Industrial Reconstruction Bank of India (IRBI) was constituted to function as the principal credit and reconstruction agency. Thanks to rapid changes, the burden of reconstruction is being shared by different stakeholders including development financial institutions and banks. I, therefore, propose to transform the IRBI into a full-fledged, all-purpose development finance institution with headquarters in Calcutta. I will soon bring the necessary changes in the statute governing IRBI.
FIPB, Tariff Commission and Disinvestment Commission
47. In keeping with the promises made in the Common Minimum Programme, government have reconstituted the Foreign Investment Promotion Board. The Foreign Investment Promotion Council will also be set up shortly. Together, they will vigorously promote and approve foreign direct investment in India keeping in view the objective of attracting at least US$ 10 billion every year.
48. In order to expedite foreign investment approvals and also increase the transparency of the process, government have decided to expand the list of 35 industries which are eligible for automatic approval up to 51% of foreign equity. The expanded list will be announced separately by my colleague, the Minister of Industry. At present, the automatic approval procedure is subject to the requirement that the value of foreign equity should cover the total import of capital goods. This condition was introduced in 1991 when capital goods imports were subject to import licensing. As capital goods have been free of import licensing restrictions since 1992, this condition is being dropped.
49. Government have also initiated action to set up an independent Tariff Commission.
50. Government have approved the proposal to establish a Disinvestment Commission. Any decision to disinvest will be taken and implemented in a transparent manner. Revenues generated from such disinvestment will be utilised for allocations for education and health and for creating a fund to strengthen public sector enterprises. The interim Budget for 1996-97 took credit for Rs. 5,000 crore through disinvestment. I propose to take credit for the same amount. The disinvestment will be done in three tranches, approximately in September, November and January/ February.
Industrial Sickness
51. The Sick Industries Companies Act (SICA) has a narrow definition of sickness and cannot deal with incipient or potential sickness. Managements have been able to use the BIFR route to abdicate their legitimate responsibilities. Under the present dispensation workers, financial institutions, banks and government are often the losers. I have initiated a total review of SICA and the working of BIFR and I intend to bring a new Bill in the winter session of Parliament.
Centre-State Relations
52. I have already made a reference to the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Basic Minimum Services. The Prime Minister intends to call another conference of Chief Ministers to discuss the political aspects of Centre-State relations and federalism. At the last conference, the Chief Ministers expressed the view that many Centrally-sponsored schemes should be retained as such and should continue to be funded by the Central government. While we respect the views of the Chief Ministers, it is our desire that most Centrally-sponsored schemes should be transferred to the control of the State governments. In the meantime, States will be given greater flexibility in the implementation of these programmes. Provisions available under all other schemes will be pooled and the basic entitlement ratio will be worked out for each State. The States will be free to select for implementation, within their annual entitlement, such schemes that are more suited to their needs. The Ministry of Planning and Programme Implementation is working on the revised guidelines and procedures in consultation with the concerned Ministries and the States.
53. I also intend to circulate a discussion paper to Hon’ble Members on the 10th Finance Commission’s recommendation to form a single divisible pool of taxes to be shared between the Centre and the States. Prima-facie, the Finance Commission’s recommendation appears to be in the national interest but it will require an amendment to the Constitution. Hence, I wish to encourage a debate before a final decision is taken.
54. The Common Minimum Programme has promised that the Government will within six months, bring out a detailed document that will articulate the priorities and programmes of the Ninth Plan. While a number of programmes have been initiated in this Budget, it will be our endeavour to prepare an Approach Paper to the Ninth Five Year Plan within four months. The Ninth Plan will target a growth rate of 7% per annum and will articulate strategies for decentralisation of responsibilities, for raising resources and for ensuring widespread growth. The initiatives that have been taken this year will be followed by a more comprehensive programme of social and economic development with the focus on elimination of poverty.
55. I shall now briefly go over the Budget estimates.
56. As Hon’ble Members are aware details of the revised estimates for 1995-96 were presented along with the interim Budget in February 1996. I am, therefore, not going over those estimates again. The figures that are given below are the budget estimates for 1996-97 and for plan expenditure; I shall compare them with the budget estimates for 1995-96.
57. For 1996-97, the total expenditure is estimated at Rs. 204,698 crore. Of this, Rs. 54,685 crore is gross budgetary support for the Central Plan and assistance to State and UT plans, representing a sharp increase of 13% over Rs. 48,500 crore. Non-plan expenditure is placed at Rs. 150,013 crore.
58. Central assistance for State and UT plans is being stepped up from Rs. 19,506 crore to Rs. 21,972 crore. The increase will provide funds to the States for implementing the seven Basic Minimum Services schemes to which I have referred earlier.
59. Gross budgetary support for the Central Plan is being enhanced from Rs. 28,994 crore to Rs. 32,713 crore.
60. All anti-poverty programmes will be reviewed with a view to strengthening them and providing them with more funds. The plan allocation for the Department of Rural Development has been increased from Rs. 1,263 crore to Rs. 2,195 crore. The plan allocation for the Department of Rural Employment and Poverty Alleviation is Rs. 6,437 crore.
61. The plan allocation for the Department of Fertilizers has been increased from Rs. 205 crore to Rs. 373 crore in order to increase domestic production.
62. For tapping the potential of non-conventional energy sources, the plan allocation for the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy is being raised by Rs. 87 crore to Rs. 334 crore.
63. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I hope Hon’ble Members will forgive the Finance Minister if he is partial to the cause of exports. After all, I cut my teeth in economic administration in the Ministry of Commerce. Promotion of exports must remain high on our agenda. Hence, I propose to provide a sum of Rs. 50 crore for the corpus of the recently established India Brand Equity Fund. I would appeal to industry and trade to contribute at least an equal amount in this financial year itself. A sum of Rs. 25 crore has been provided for critical balancing infrastructure. Non-plan provision for export promotion and market development has been enhanced from Rs. 315 crore to Rs. 460 crore. Deemed exporters will now get refund of terminal excise duty in quick time.
64. The plan allocation for the Department of Health has been stepped up from Rs. 647 crore to Rs. 792 crore.
65. The plan allocation for the Department of Education has been increased substantially from Rs. 1,825 crore to Rs. 3,388 crore. This will help in implementation of the District Primary Education Programme and the mid-day meal scheme.
66. This government is committed to safeguard the interests of women and children by expanding the social safety nets. The annual plan allocation for the Department of Women & Child Development is being stepped up from Rs. 730 crore to Rs. 847 crore. The allocation for the Integrated Child Development Scheme is being increased from Rs. 588 crore to Rs. 682 crore.
67. The plan allocation for the Ministry of Labour has been increased from Rs. 136 crore to Rs. 188 crore. Enhanced provisions have been made for schemes relating to improvement in the working conditions and for training of workers.
68. In the Railway Budget presented a few days ago, government have announced an outlay of Rs. 8,130 crore in the Railway plan for the current year with a budgetary support of Rs. 1,269 crore. Based on the ability of the Railways to meet their stipulated targets on internal resource generation, I will consider increase in the budgetary support during the course of the year for this crucial sector.
69. The plan allocation for the Ministry of Surface Transport has been increased by Rs. 240 crore to Rs. 1,322 crore, mainly to provide enhanced support for national highways. Schemes are on the anvil to make Kochi and Tuticorin important transshipment ports for container traffic.
70. There are persistent demands from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep for more flexible norms for determining the cost for funding and implementing projects. Having regard to their special needs, I have agreed to these demands. We will also ensure that the Island Development Authority is activated to accelerate development in these strategic islands.
71. I am happy to inform Hon’ble Members that the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is being continued in the current year. Adequate funds are being made available for this scheme.
72. The total non-plan expenditure in 1996-97 is placed at Rs. 150,013 crore compared to Rs. 123,651 crore in BE 1995-96 and Rs. 134,320 crore in RE 1995-96. Of the increment, Rs. 8,000 crore is on account of increase in interest payments, the provision for which is now placed at Rs. 60,000 crore. The provision for Defence expenditure has been increased from Rs. 26,879 crore in RE 1995-96 to Rs. 27,798 crore. I assure Hon’ble Members that, if required, more funds will be made available in order to equip and keep our armed forces in fighting fit condition.
73. I have already referred to the major new initiatives for giving an impetus to agriculture and irrigation. The increase on account of higher subsidies for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers will be Rs. 1,724 crore over last year’s provision of Rs. 500 crore. The enhanced subsidies are expected to lead to a balanced use of various fertilizers for better soil health and productivity.
74. The provision for food subsidy has also been increased from Rs. 5,500 crore to Rs. 5,884 crore.
75. A provision of Rs. 449 crore has been made for writing off the outstanding interest and conversion of loans into equity in the subsidiaries of Bharat Yantra Nigam Ltd., Bharat Bhari Udyog Ltd. and Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd. under BIFR approved revival plans. In addition, a provision of Rs. 1,270 crore has been made for non-plan loans to public sector enterprises mainly for payment of salaries and wages to the employees.
76. I now turn to the revenue receipts. Gross tax revenues at the existing rates of taxation are estimated at Rs. 129,453 crore. After providing Rs. 34,451 crore as the share of taxes of the States, the Centre’s net tax revenue will be Rs. 95,002 crore. Non-tax revenues, an important component of our receipts, have also shown healthy buoyancy. The receipts under this head, which were estimated at Rs. 29,103 crore in RE 1995-96, are expected to be Rs. 33,035 crore this year. I am confident that we can do better under some heads. I have taken credit for Rs. 2,500 crore as license fee from private operators of cellular and basic telecom services.
77. The net revenue receipts for the Centre, including non-tax receipts, are expected to increase from Rs. 110,191 crore in RE 1995-96 to Rs. 128,037 crore in 1996-97.
78. In the area of capital receipts, traditional market borrowings are placed at Rs. 3,700 crore. Other medium and long-term loans are estimated at Rs. 21,798 crore. Net external assistance will be Rs. 2,461 crore. I am also taking credit for receipts from disinvestment of equity in public sector enterprises of Rs. 5,000 crore. Total receipts at the existing rates of taxation are estimated at Rs. 195,774 crore while total expenditure is Rs. 204,698 crore. I shall come to the Budget deficit and the fiscal deficit in Part B of my speech.
Budget Speech – PART B
79. Now, I turn to my tax proposals.
80. The good news is there are no new direct taxes save one and even that solitary new tax, I am confident, will be almost universally welcomed.
81. There are pressing demands from all sections of society to raise the threshold limit for personal income-tax from the existing level of Rs. 40,000 to at least Rs. 60,000. Each increase of Rs. 1,000 in the threshold limit will cost the exchequer Rs. 150 crore and, since 77.5% of this loss will be borne by the States, any major concession on this front will put a severe strain on the States’ financial resources. Besides, when the direct tax base is already narrow – only 110 lakh persons pay income-tax – no Finance Minister can afford to let 20 or 30 lakhs of them go out of the net. However, I accept the need to provide relief to the assessees in the first tax bracket, especially the salaried class. I propose to do so in two ways: first, I propose to reduce the income-tax rate for the first bracket from 20 per cent to 15 per cent. This benefit will be available to all assessees. I also propose to raise the standard deduction from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000 for salaried employees having an income upto Rs. 60,000. Thus, a salaried employee with an income of Rs. 60,000 per year, making the minimum contribution to his provident fund, will now pay no tax at all. If he has no savings, he will still pay only Rs. 300.
82. We owe a special consideration to our senior citizens. At present, senior citizens benefit from a special tax rebate of 40% up to an income level of Rs. 100,000. I propose to raise this to Rs. 120,000.
83. House-owners, residing in their own houses that have been financed by borrowing, deserve relief. The deduction of interest payments of Rs. 10,000 allowed to them from their income from property is proposed to be raised to Rs. 15,000.
84. As another relief measure, I propose to raise the limit under section 80D of the Income-tax Act for deduction in respect of insurance on the health of the individual and his family members from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000.
85. I have already mentioned the new scheme of personal-cum-family pension being introduced by LIC. In order to encourage savings in this form, I propose to allow the contribution to the pension fund to be deducted from taxable income up to a limit of Rs. 10,000 per annum. I also propose to exempt the income of such a pension fund in the LIC from the levy of income-tax.
86. At present, a five year tax holiday is available under section 80-IA to enterprises engaged in developing, maintaining and operating infrastructure facilities such as roads, highways, bridges, new airports, ports and rail systems. I propose to extend this incentive to investment in irrigation, water supply, sanitation and sewerage systems.
87. I also propose to provide a five year tax holiday under section 80-IA of the Income Tax Act to companies exclusively created to participate in research and development activities. I am also simplifying the existing procedure for giving weighted deduction under section 35(2AA) of the Income-tax Act on sums paid for scientific research to a National Laboratory or a University or an Indian Institute of Technology by deleting the condition of approval by an outside body.
88. Infrastructure funds have become an important source of capital to finance infrastructure projects. In order to encourage such funds established to mobilise resources for financing infrastructure facilities, I propose to exempt them from income-tax. Any dividend, interest or long-term capital gains of such funds or companies from investments in the form of shares or long-term finance in any enterprise set up to develop, maintain and operate an infrastructure facility will be free from income tax.
89. I also propose to allow investment in approved debentures or equity shares of public companies as eligible for tax rebate under section 88 if the proceeds of such public issues are applied to create a new infrastructure facility or to generate or distribute power. In the case of such investment, the limit of Rs. 60,000 under section 88 will be raised to Rs. 70,000.
90. Corporate tax rates have been reduced and simplified over the past few years and the results have been very encouraging with a significant increase in corporate taxes as a percentage of GDP. However, there are two issues, which need to be addressed. The first is the promise made in the past that the corporate surcharge will be temporary. The other is the phenomenon of zero tax companies, which, according to many observers, reflects an excessive degree of laxity in the tax regime. I propose to respond to the two issues as follows:
(i) I am reducing the rate of surcharge on corporation tax from 15% to 7.5% and hope to take a similar step in my next budget. The reduced tax burden will benefit all companies big and small.
(ii) I propose to introduce a “Minimum Alternate Tax” (MAT) on companies. In a case where the total income of the company, as computed under the Income Tax Act after availing of all eligible deductions, is less than 30 per cent of the book profit, the total income of such a company shall be deemed to be 30 per cent of the book profit and shall be charged to tax accordingly. The effective rate works out to 12 per cent of book profit calculated under the Companies Act. Companies engaged in the power and infrastructure sectors will, however, be exempted from the levy of MAT.
91. As a step towards achieving a level playing field for Indian companies vis-a-vis the foreign companies, I propose to reduce the tax on long-term capital gains in the case of domestic companies from 30 per cent to 20 per cent.
92. In order to encourage savings and to channelise savings into investments in priority sectors of the economy, I propose to exempt from tax long-term capital gains if the net consideration received or accruing from the transfer of the capital asset is invested in specified assets for a period of three years or, alternatively, if the entire capital gains are invested in specified assets for a period of seven years. The assessee will now have a choice of two new savings instruments.
93. I also propose to allow depreciation in the case of fractional ownership of assets because of the need for joint financing of big, capital intensive projects by a consortium of financiers having fractional shares in the assets.
94. In order to promote efficiency in industry, I propose to provide that unabsorbed depreciation will be carried forward for a period of eight years only in the same manner as business losses.
95. The practice of sale-and-lease-back of assets results in passing of very high depreciation to the leasing concerns. This needs to be curbed. Hence, I propose to provide in the Income Tax Act that in case of sale-and-lease-back transactions, the written down value of the asset, in the hands of lessee, who was the previous owner, will be treated as cost in the hands of the lessor. This measure, while not affecting bona fide transactions, will prevent loss-making concerns from indulging in unhealthy trade-off of depreciation.
96. I find it unreasonable that commercial properties, not used by the assessee as his business, office or factory premises, should be outside the levy of wealth-tax. Accordingly, I propose to plug this unintended loophole and levy wealth-tax on such commercial properties.
97. Other measures of tax relief proposed by me include:
(i) Allowing a special deduction of Rs. 15,000 to the patient or guardian of a patient of protracted diseases like cancer or AIDS involving considerable expenditure on treatment.
(ii) Exempting under section 10(24) of the Income Tax Act the income of an Association of Registered Trade Unions.
(iii) Extending 100 per cent deduction under section 80G of the Income Tax Act to:
(a) Donations made to Illness Assistance Funds established by the Central government and the State governments to meet the medical expenses of the poorest of the poor;
(b) Donations made to State and National Councils of Blood Transfusion recently set up by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and
(c) Donations made to the three funds established by the armed forces of the country. These are the Army Central Welfare Fund, The Indian Naval Benevolent Fund and the Air Force Central Welfare Fund. This is my way of saluting the brave officers and jawans of our armed forces.
98. As a part of our obligation to SAARC, I am exempting from income tax the income of SAARC Fund for Regional Projects (SFRP).
99. In order to promote industrial development in the North-Eastern region of the country, a North-Eastern Development Finance Corporation was established in August, 1995. I propose to exempt its income from tax.
100. These proposals are likely to result in an improvement of revenue under direct taxes, which is estimated at Rs. 912 crore.
101. I shall now come to the proposals relating to indirect taxes.
102. Over the last few years, steps have been taken to reform our indirect tax structure by reducing the number of rates, removing exemptions and by switching over to ad-valorem rates. On the customs side the peak rate of duty was reduced to 50% in 1995-96 accompanied by reduction in rates down the line in respect of all commodities. Central excise duties were also revamped and moved closer to a Value Added Tax with the introduction of Modvat for capital goods and extension of input credit facilities to almost all items necessary for the manufacture of goods. These changes have contributed to the growth in industrial production, simplified the tax structure and brought about greater transparency. They have also led to strong growth in revenues, with indirect tax collections increasing by 19 per cent in each of the last two years, in spite of substantial reduction in rates. The Common Minimum Programme mandates the government to continue with tax reforms and I propose to do so.
103. Keeping in view the twin objectives of making our industry globally competitive and providing it reasonable levels of protection in the transitional period, I propose to take measured and calibrated steps in the matter of customs tariffs.
104. The salient features of my proposals are:
– Reduction in customs duties on crude oil and other basic petrochemical intermediates.
– Reduction in the rates of customs duties on raw materials and inputs such as chemicals, plastics, natural rubber and ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
– Substantial reduction in customs duties on raw materials and components required for giving a thrust to the electronic goods sector.
– Reduction in the rate of duty on computers for giving a boost to the software industry.
– Reduction in import duty on selected machinery to modernize the textiles and garment sector.
– Removal of several anomalies in duty rates.
– Unification of rates on similar items in order to substantially reduce disputes on classification and on rates.
– Retention of only such exemptions, which are necessary, for the present.
105. India has become a major producer and exporter of chemicals. This industry has shown a healthy growth in the last two years. This is an area in which India can exploit its potential of trained technical manpower and become a leading nation of the world in the production of chemicals. To achieve these objectives, I propose to take the following steps:
– Reduction in the rate of duty on crude oil from 35% to 25%.
– Reduction in the rate of duty on bitumen from 30% to 10%.
– Unification of rates at 10% on petrochemical building blocks such as cumene, toluene and cyclohexane.
– Reduction in the rate of duty on chemicals, both organic and inorganic, from 50% to 40%.
106. Our textile industry employs millions of people. It is necessary to modernise it and provide an environment in which it can grow rapidly. I propose the following measures:
– Reduction in the import duty on rayon grade wood pulp from 25% to 5%.
– Reduction in the import duty on acrylonitrile from 20% to 10%.
– Reduction in the rate of duty on DMT, PTA and MEG from 35% to 25%; however, in the case of caprolactum the revised duty will be 30%.
– Reduction in the rate of duty on artificial and synthetic fibres from 45% to 30%.
– Unification of the rates of duty on nylon filament yarn, polyester filament yarn and viscose filament yarn from the existing levels of 45% and 40% at 30%.
107. I also propose a major restructuring of excise duties in the textile sector, extending the benefit of Modvat, to which I shall come a little later. I am confident that with these measures our textile industry will grow from strength to strength in the coming years.
108. Our power plants face a shortage of coal on account of growing demand and better utilisation of installed capacity. I propose to reduce the rate of duty on non-coking coal from 35% to 20%. I also propose reduction of duty on coke from the existing level of 25% to 20%.
109. Our plastics industry is coming of age. I propose a reduction of duty on plastics from 40% to 30%. Further, on articles of plastics I propose a reduction from the existing level of 50% to 40%.
110. In regard to rates of duties on drugs and pharmaceuticals, I propose to retain the zero rate of duty on life saving drugs. I also propose to reduce the rate of duty on all other allopathic medicines from 50% to 40%. In order to make available veterinary drugs commonly used I propose to reduce the rate on specified veterinary drugs from 15% to 10%.
111. There has been a persistent complaint from industry that customs duty on metals is very high and this makes it difficult for downstream industry, especially capital goods, to be competitive. Industry has been demanding that the rate of duty on metals should be brought down drastically. However, realising the need to provide adequate time to our metals industry to adjust itself to global competition, I propose a modest reduction from 35% or 40% at present to a peak rate of 30% on all metals except nickel and aluminum. On unwrought aluminum and unwrought nickel I propose to retain the current level of 10% and 20% respectively. On wrought aluminum, I propose to reduce the duty from 25% to 20% and on wrought nickel from 30% to 20%.
112. While I do not wish to tamper with the rate of duty on machinery, which stands at 25%, I propose a reduction of duty on signaling and safety equipment for railways, airports, seaports etc. from the current level of 50% to 25%.
113. The last three years have witnessed a tremendous growth in our electronic industry, which has been the result of enterprise as well as the stimulation provided by sharp reduction in customs duties. In order to maintain this trend, I propose the following changes:
– On raw materials, from the existing 15% to 10%
– On components, from 25% to 20%.
– On glass shells for colour TVs, from 30% to 25%.
– On colour picture tubes, from 40% to 30%.
– On computers and computer peripherals, from 40% to 20%.
– Finished goods will continue to attract 50% rate of duty.
114. With a view to encourage sports in the country; I also propose to reduce import duty on sports goods from 50% to 30%.
115. In order to give relief to professional press photographers I propose to allow them to import free of duty photographic equipment up to Rs.1 lakh. A similar concession is also being extended to accredited journalists for import of personal computer, typewriter and fax machine.
116. Telecommunication is a growing sector and will turn out to be the lifeline of our economy. The existence of an efficient telecommunication net work is a prerequisite for accelerated economic growth. In order to give a boost to the efforts being made by the Department of Telecommunications, I propose that the duty on parts and sub-assemblies of telecommunication equipment be reduced from 35% to 30% and on finished equipment from 50% to 40%. In order to avoid the temptation to smuggle cellular phones, pagers and trunking handsets, I propose to reduce the customs duty on them to 30%.
117. Upgradation of medical standards in the country is extremely important. I, therefore, propose to reduce the rate of duty on specified equipment, not generally made in India, and their parts from 15% to 10% and on other medical equipment from 40% to 30%.
118. Edible oils now carry a rate of duty of 30%. This is an important item of daily food for the masses and we have a chronic shortage of edible oils in the country. I propose to reduce the import duty on edible oils from 30% to 20%.
119. Mr. Speaker, Sir, earlier in my speech I dwelt on the dire need to step up investment in infrastructure. I had also detailed the sectors to which I propose to make large allocations. I have to raise resources to meet these requirements. I intend to ask importers to share the burden of building the infrastructure in this country because, ultimately, it will help raise production and enhance competitiveness. I, therefore, propose a levy of 2% as special customs duty on all imports except those that carry nil rate of duty or are imported at nil rate of customs duty for export production under the various duty free licences. This levy will not apply to gold and silver imported by eligible passengers or under special import licences. This is likely to yield about Rs.1600 crore in the current year.
120. Importers will be happy to know that the Reserve Bank of India is announcing today the withdrawal of the interest rate surcharge of 25% on import finance imposed in February 1996.
121. I now come to my proposals regarding central excise. A large number of countries in the world today have a value added tax system, which has been recognised to be the most efficient form of commodity taxation. I am glad to note that some State governments are moving towards the value added tax system. The last few years of reforms have taken us closer to having a Central VAT, but there are still certain legal obstacles.
122. Our central excise structure still has 11 ad-valorem rates. The rates range from 0 to 50 per cent. Ideally, there should be only four rates of excise duties – zero, a lower rate of excise duty on goods of mass consumption, a single normal rate on all other goods and a higher rate on luxury items. It is absolutely necessary for us to move towards this rate structure so that we put an end to wasteful litigation and have a transparent and simple tax structure. It was not possible in the time available to me in preparing this Budget to achieve this goal in the current year. However, I propose to take the first step this year and I am confident that we will achieve a four-rate excise duty structure in another year or two.
123. I propose to integrate the tax on the textile sector with the mainstream of central excise duties by introducing the Modvat principle in this sector. Hon’ble Members are aware that at present excise duties are levied at the fibre and yarn stage and there is only an additional excise duty, in lieu of sales tax, on fabrics. This is one of the most inefficient ways of taxation as it results in very high duties on inputs, which encourages evasion; it does not capture value addition; and it denies the industry an opportunity of claiming Modvat input credit on capital goods, chemicals and yarn. While modernisation of other industries is taking place speedily, our textile industry has not been able to participate fully in this process because of this lopsided tax structure. I, therefore, make the following proposals.
124. I propose to reduce the excise duty on yarn in the case of polyester filament yarn from the current level of 50% to 40% and unify the rates on other yarn at 20%, except nylon filament yarn and cotton yarn for which the present rates of 30% and 5% respectively will be retained. In order to provide Modvat for the textile sector, I propose to impose a basic excise duty of 5% on cotton fabrics and 10% on other fabrics, which will be collected at the processed fabric stage. The processors would be in a position to Modvat the duty paid on yarn imputed on the basis that yarn accounts for 50% of the value of the finished fabric. I have adopted a simple procedure of imputed value to avoid the imposition of a basic duty on grey fabrics, which are manufactured by thousands of power-looms. Such power-looms will, therefore, continue to be outside the excise net. Composite mills and textile processors will be able to avail themselves of Modvat facilities hitherto not extended to them. This restructuring of excise duty, together with the substantial reduction in customs duties on selected machinery and on inputs for the textile sector, should provide a major boost to the textile industry. I believe that this will also simplify the calculation of drawback rates for garment exporters.
125. In my proposals on customs duties, I have proposed a reduction in customs duty on crude oil from 35% to 25%. This is part of a restructuring and rationalisation of the duty structure aimed at encouraging efficient refineries and enabling me to shift the duties from the input stage to the product stage. I propose to make up the loss on customs duty by adjusting the excise duty upward from 10% to 15% on all petroleum products except LPG and kerosene. The proposed changes in customs and excise duties taken together are revenue neutral and will have no impact on the administered prices of petroleum products.
126. Honourable Members are aware that almost all articles of mass consumption are already exempt from excise duty and a large number of other widely consumed articles carry a rate of only 10%. I propose to exempt some more articles from excise duty. They are:
(a) Vanaspati and margarine;
(b) Writing and printing paper supplied to all State Text Book Corporations;
(c) Animal fats and oils;
(d) Asbestos fibre;
(e) Metallic ores; and
(f) Tapioca products
127. I propose to reduce the duty on the following articles:
(a) Tooth paste, from 20% to 10%;
(b) Detergents, from 30% to 25%;
(c) Cartons, boxes and bags made of paper and paperboard, from 20% to 10%;
(d) Glassware produced by semi-automatic process, from 20% to 10%;
(e) Glassware used for table, kitchen etc., from 15% to 10%;
(f) Articles of asbestos cement, from 25% to 20%; and
(g) Ceramic articles, other than glazed tiles, from 20% to 15%
128. I also propose to raise the exemption limit for footwear from Rs. 50 to Rs. 75 per pair.
129. The rates of excise duty on motor vehicles are not in consonance with the accepted classification of such vehicles. I therefore propose the following rationalisation:
(a) Duty on motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed to carry not more than six persons, excluding the driver, will remain unchanged at 40%.
(b) Duty on motor vehicles principally designed to carry more than 6 persons but not more than 12 persons, excluding the driver – 20%
(c) Duty on other motor vehicles for transport of persons or goods – 15%. There is no change in the duty on two-wheelers or tractors.
130. If there is one area, in which a Finance Minister can both tax and please, it is cigarettes. Today, however, I shall please you only in a small way by proposing modest increases in the specific duties on cigarettes ranging from about 5% to 7 and 1/2%. In the case of non-filter cigarettes, not exceeding 60 mm in length, popularly called mini cigarettes, I propose to raise the tax by 25% from Rs. 60 per thousand to Rs. 75 per thousand.
131. In order to encourage R & D efforts in India I propose to exempt goods developed and patented in India and concurrently in specified countries from the levy of excise duty for a period of three years. I am also rationalising the exemption from customs duty for import of equipment and consumables for R&D institutions.
132. I have proposed the addition of potassium chlorate, copper powder and cigarette lighters to the list of goods eligible for duty exemption under the SSI scheme. The reduction in import duties proposed elsewhere will also substantially benefit the small-scale industries. In order to benefit hundreds of small-scale manufacturers of matches I have decided to dispense with the physical control system operating on them and introduce the self- removal procedure freeing them from the day-to-day bother of control. I hope SSI match units will respond with substantial increase in payment of excise duties.
133. I have proposed rationalisation of rates and exemptions both in customs and excise in several other areas. I would not like to take the time of the House by going into these details.
134. Our excise procedures are outdated and not in tune with the times. They need to be modified. They should encourage voluntary compliance with tax laws by the taxpayers. With effect from 1st October 1996, assessees would no longer be required to furnish copies of invoices along with the monthly returns. All that they would be required to furnish to the excise department will be a simple Return indicating the duty paid on self- assessment basis. Wherever possible the assessees’ computers could also be linked to the Department’s computers for on line assessment.
135. I also propose to introduce a scheme of selective audit by the excise officers and dispense with the existing scheme of routine examination and checking of returns and documents furnished by the assessees. This scheme would also come into force from 1st October, 1996.
136. I am sure that these changes would be widely welcomed by the manufacturers who are required to pay excise duties and I expect them to comply with the laws faithfully. However, I wish to affirm government’s resolve to deal with tax evaders sternly. I am proposing suitable changes in the Customs and Excise Acts to provide for mandatory penalty, together with interest, for evasion of duties on account of fraud, collusion, misstatement or suppression of facts. Henceforth, the mandatory penalty for evasion of duty on these counts shall be equal to the amount of duty evaded. Tax evaders would also be required to pay interest starting from the first day of the succeeding month in which the duty evaded ought to have been paid and also face criminal prosecution.
137. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944, reminds us of the colonial era when excise duty was collected on salt. There is no excise duty on salt and hence the reference to salt is outdated. I propose to delete all references to salt.
138. The Modvat scheme, which provides for duty credit on inputs and capital goods has been liberalised considerably over the past few years. Still, there are problems about the coverage of certain inputs and capital goods. I propose to clarify the scope of eligible capital goods by specifying the heading and sub-headings of the tariff relating to capital goods in the Modvat Rules. It is also a matter of concern that there is misuse of the Modvat credit scheme. At present, Modvat invoices can be issued by any dealer registered with the excise department and this facility is reportedly being misused. Therefore, I propose to restrict the issue of Modvatable invoices by dealers up to two stages. Suitable provisions are also being made in the Modvat Rules for charging of interest in the case of wrong availment of Modvat credit and for mandatory penalty for misuse of Modvat facility.
139. The tax on services has come to stay. With a view to widening the tax base, I propose to bring in advertising services, radio paging services and courier services under the tax net. The tax on these services will be at the rate of 5%. While this measure is expected to yield Rs. 150 crore in a full year, I am taking credit only of Rs. 70 crore in the current year.
140. My proposals relating to reduction in customs duties are estimated to result in a loss of Rs. 650 crore in the remaining part of the current financial year. However, by taking into account receipts from the special customs duty estimated to be Rs. 1,600 crore, there will be a net gain of Rs. 950 crore in customs revenue.
141. In the case of excise duties, including additional excise duties, a gain of Rs. 760 crore is estimated. Of this, the States are likely to get Rs. 384 crore as their share of excise duties.
142. I now have something to say on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of Communications. Postal rates, some of which were last revised in 1990, do not meet even the direct cost of most of the services resulting in increasing budgetary support. Notwithstanding this, no change in the rates of ordinary postcard, letter, parcels and other postal services is being proposed. A modest increase is proposed only in respect of two services, which are used for business and commercial purposes. The rate of the printed post card is being increased from 60 paise. to Re. 1 and the registration fee is being increased from Rs. 6 to Rs. 8. It has also been decided to introduce a new category of postcard, called Competition Postcard, which alone may be used for responding to any competition organised on or through television, radio, newspapers or magazines. It is proposed to remove the unintended subsidisation by fixing the tariff for this category of postcard at Rs. 2. The changes will take effect from a date to be notified after the Finance Bill is passed. The revisions proposed are estimated to yield a modest revenue of Rs. 38 crore in 1996-97, still leaving a large postal deficit.
143. Copies of notifications giving effect to the above changes in customs and excise duties will be laid on the Table of the House in due course.
144. My budget proposals have many implications for both the expenditure side and the revenue side. However, Hon’ble Members will be pleased to know that the end result is satisfactory. The revenue deficit in 1996-97 is placed at Rs. 31,475 crore or 2.5% of GDP, which is significantly lower than Rs. 33,331 crore in RE 1995-96 or 3% of GDP. The fiscal deficit comes to Rs. 62,266 crore in 1996-97, which is lower than the figure of Rs. 64,010 crore in RE 1995-96. As a percentage of GDP, the fiscal deficit is 5% in 1996-97 compared to 5.9% in the previous year. I hope to do better in my next budget and move along the path of reducing the fiscal deficit to below 4%.
Conclusion
145. Mr. Speaker, Sir, at the end of this exercise, I ask myself what is a budget about? While it is a measure of the health of the economy, it is also a mirror to the travails and aspirations of the people. 2000 years ago, Saint Tiruvalluvar laid down the golden rule for the King’s Ministers:
“Iyattralum, eettalum, kattalum, katta
Vakuthalam Vallath Arasu”
(To be able to increase wealth, to lay it up and guard, and also well to distribute it, marks a royal lord.)
146. I have made an attempt to raise revenues without putting any burden upon the poor, to allocate large resources for agriculture, irrigation, infrastructure and the social sector, to provide more funds for basic minimum services, to give tax reliefs to the salaried and the middle classes and to promote savings and investment. I have strived to serve the seven objectives that I declared at the outset.
147. The Common Minimum Programme is absolutely right when it says that the country’s GDP needs to grow at over 7% per year in the next 10 years in order to abolish poverty and unemployment.
148. I believe that our economy is on a high growth curve. Wisdom dictates that we remain on that curve. In order to do so, we need more reforms, not less. We need more resources, not less. We need more discipline, not less. And we need more compassion, not less. If we remain true to the Common Minimum Programme, we shall overcome our difficulties and take India to the frontline of the nations of the world. This budget, my maiden effort, attempts to blend and I hope in the right proportions courage and compassion, reform and restraint and growth and social justice.
149. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with these words, I commend this budget to this august House.
Interim Budget Speech by Hon’ble Minister of Finance Dr. Manmohan Singh on February 28, 1996
Mr. Speaker Sir,
I rise to present the Interim Budget for 1996-97.
2. Five years ago, the people of India gave a mandate to our Party, under the courageous and far-sighted leadership of Prime Minister Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao. We took office at a time when the economy was on the brink of collapse. Inflation was out of control, exports were declining, foreign exchange reserves had declined to no more than two week’s imports and industry was virtually crippled. We had to give the highest priority to restoring macroeconomic stability and then, as quickly as possible, to bring the economy back to a path of rapid and equitable economic growth.
3. The strategy, we have followed has been outlined before this House by the Prime Minister himself on several occasions. We have sought to accelerate the rate of growth of our economy and achieve broad-based development, which alone can ensure a rising standard of living for all our people. We have sought to modernise our economy, improve productivity and increase efficiency in all sectors. We have sought to integrate our economy more effectively with the world, so that we can compete successfully in world markets and also attract larger volumes of investment, as so many other countries in Asia have done to their advantage. Above all, we have sought to ensure that in this process the needs of the poorer sections of our society are constantly kept in view. As the private sector has expanded vigorously into many areas, which were earlier reserved for the State, the focus of State activity and the deployment of public resources is now being concentrated on meeting the needs of the poor and on the social sectors such as health, education and rural infrastructure where the market economy alone cannot bring benefits rapidly.
4. The journey of the past five years has been both difficult and rewarding. I would not say that we have achieved all that we wanted. But, I believe we can honestly say that the results we have achieved amply vindicate our approach and aspirations. Let me briefly review the progress in some important areas.
5. Inflation is our worst enemy and it hurts the poor more than anyone else. Control of inflation was therefore our first priority. We worked hard to achieve this objective by reducing the fiscal deficit, curbing the growth of money supply and increasing the supply of essential commodities. The result is evident. The annual rate of inflation was as high as 17 per cent in August 1991. It has been brought below 5 per cent in February 1996, the lowest level since 1988. Furthermore, the annual rate of price increase of essential commodities, such as wheat, edible oils and sugar, is even lower. To mitigate the impact of inflation on the poorer sections, the Public Distribution System has been strengthened. The revamped PDS has been extended to 1775 blocks in tribal, hilly, desert and other remote areas. A further expansion of RPDS to more than 650 additional blocks is in process.
6. Our policies have also produced a resurgence of economic growth. After slumping to less than one per cent in the crisis year of 1991-92, the rate of growth of Gross Domestic Product rebounded to 5 per cent per annum in both 1992-93 and 1993-94. It then accelerated to 6.3 per cent in 1994-95 and continued high growth of 6.2 per cent is estimated for 1995-96. By any standards, this has been one of the swiftest and strongest recoveries from a serious macroeconomic crisis in the entire world. In the first four years of the Eighth Plan, growth has averaged 5.7 per cent. This is in line with the Plan target of 5.6 per cent.
7. This exceptional recovery has been under-pinned by strong performance of all major sectors of the economy. Agriculture provides livelihood for two-thirds of our people and has been given high priority in our policies. We have provided more remunerative prices. We have removed barriers to internal and external trade in agricultural commodities. We have encouraged agro-processing activities. We have sharply reduced the bias against agriculture in our foreign trade policies. The goal has been to quickly expand income-earning opportunities for our farmers.
8. Honourable Members will join me in paying handsome tribute to our farmers. They have responded superbly to these new policies. Agricultural production declined during the crisis of 1991-92 but thereafter it has grown by more than 4 per cent per year, on average, in the next three years. Food production also rose by more than 4 per cent per year, on average, to reach a record level of 191 million tonnes in 1994-95. A similar bumper output is expected in 1995-96. Foodgrain production, however, is only one part of the story. Agriculture has also diversified. Milk production has gone up by nearly 10 lakh tonnes between 1990-91 and 1994-95. The production of fruits and vegetables has also increased substantially.
9. So much for those critics who used to claim that our policies have neglected agriculture.
10. Our industry has responded magnificently to the stimulus of our policies of unshackling domestic industry and to the challenge of international competition. Many had predicted that the liberalisation of imports would swamp domestic industry. We had more confidence in our industry. Five years ago, I had said that “our entrepreneurs are second to none”. They have amply vindicated the faith we placed in them. Industrial production was stagnant in 1991-92. It recovered robustly to grow by 6 per cent in 1993-94 and then further increased to 8.6 per cent in 1994-95. Industrial growth has accelerated to 12 per cent in the first half of 1995-96. Capital goods production surged in 1994-95 by 25 per cent. This is more than twice the growth recorded by the other broad categories of basic goods, intermediate goods and consumer goods. The capital goods sector continued to outpace the other sectors in the first half of 1995-96, recording a growth of 14.3 per cent. This has happened despite the opening up of the economy to competition from imports. None can now doubt the inherent strength and competitiveness of our industry.
11. I am particularly happy to inform Honourable Members that our reform policies have given a special boost to small-scale industry. In each year after the crisis, the production from small-scale industry has grown faster than overall industrial production. For example, in 1993-94 output of small scale industry rose by 7.1 per cent, whereas overall industrial production grew by 6.0 per cent. Similarly, in 1994-95 small scale industrial growth of 10.1 per cent outpaced overall industrial growth of 8.6 per cent.
12. As I have already mentioned our strategy of reform accorded the highest priority to improving the living standards of the poor. We have pursued a threepronged approach of promoting rapid, broad-based, employment-generating growth, broadening and deepening special programmes for poverty alleviation and employment generation and giving a strong thrust to programmes for social sectors and social security. In 1991, our critics had warned that economic reforms would lead to massive unemployment and the poor would bear the brunt of adjustment. The results show that these fears were misplaced.
– The total increase in employment in the economy was 3 million in 1991-92. It doubled to an average of 6 million in the next two years and exceeded 7 million in 1994-95. Employment growth is likely to be even higher this year. This compares with an average increase of less than 5 million per year in the eighties.
– The latest Planning Commission estimates of poverty show a significant decline in the proportion of people below the poverty line. The proportion fell from above 25 per cent in 1987-88 to below 19 per cent in 1993-94.
– The average real wage for unskilled agricultural labour, one of the weakest sections of our society, also shows improvement. Real wages fell by 6 per cent in the crisis year of 1991-92. Thereafter they rose steadily at an annual rate of 5 per cent in each of the next three years.
13. Despite tight fiscal constraints, we have, in the three years between 1992-93 and 1995-96, increased the Central Plan budget allocation for rural development by about 150 per cent, for education by over 90 per cent, for elementary education by nearly 130 per cent and for health by over 120 per cent. We have launched important new programmes and initiatives for the weaker sections.
– The Employment Assurance Scheme provides assured employment for 100 days to unskilled rural poor at the rate of two persons per family in 3175 poorest blocks of the country during the lean season.
– The Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana is designed to generate employment through setting up micro enterprises by educated unemployed. In 1994-95, 1.9 lakh beneficiaries were sanctioned loans under the scheme. The target for 1995-96 is 2.6 lakh beneficiaries.
– The National Social Assistance Programme has three key components. The first provides monthly old age pension from the Central Government of 75 rupees to those below the poverty line. This is expected to benefit 54 lakh people. Second, there is a lump-sum survivor benefit on the death of the primary breadwinner in poor households of 10,000 rupees in the case of accidental death and 5,000 rupees in the case of death from natural causes. This is expected to benefit 4.5 lakh families a year. Third, there is a maternity benefit of 300 rupees for expectant mothers. This is anticipated to benefit 46 lakh women each year.
– The Mid-day Meal Programme is intended to improve nutrition and school attendance of 11 crore children in classes I to IV in 3 years. In the first year of the scheme 3.4 crore children have already been covered.
– Under the Indira Awas Yojana, 4 lakh houses were built for poor families in rural areas in 1994-95. 10 lakh houses will be built under the Scheme in 1995-96.
– The Mahila Samridhi Yojana aims at empowering women through giving them greater control over household savings.
– The Rural Infrastructural Development Fund has been established in NABARD. It will provide Rs. 2,000 crore for completing ongoing projects of medium and minor irrigation, soil conservation and other rural infrastructure.
– Bank credit for village and khadi industries is being expanded through the provision of a special bank consortium fund of Rs. 1,000 crore.
– A new Group Life Insurance Scheme of the LIC to provide life cover of 5,000 rupees to each person is being implemented by Panchayats in rural areas, with a subsidized premium for poor households.
– The National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, which we set up in 1992, has sanctioned over Rs. 250 crore of loans to beneficiaries.
– The National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation has sanctioned loans of Rs. 400 crore.
– The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation for assisting development of backward sections among minorities has become operational.
– The Handicapped Development and Finance Corporation is being established with authorised capital of Rs. 400 crore.
14. We are proud of the role played by the Indian workers in accelerating the pace of industrial development. A number of steps have been taken to protect and promote their interests. We have raised the eligibility limit for payment of bonus from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,500 per month and the ceiling for calculation of bonus from Rs. 1,600 to Rs. 2,500 per month. Earlier, Government had increased the ceiling under the Payment of Gratuity Act to enable workers to get gratuity up to Rs. 1 lakh. The revised ceilings for bonus eligibility and bonus calculation are applicable to both non-government and to government employees. We gave one installment of Interim Relief to government employees even before the establishment of the Fifth Central Pay Commission. A second installment was given subsequently on the basis of an interim report of the Pay Commission. Interim Relief has also been given to pensioners and family pensioners. We have also merged a portion of Dearness Allowance with pay for calculating gratuity.
15. History was made with the passage of the Constitution (Seventy Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which made it a constitutional requirement to set up in every State, Panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels. The Amendment ensures that women and other weaker sections of the society will necessarily get adequate representation in the Panchayats. This is a major step forward for the empowerment of these under-privileged sections of the society. To make this devolution of power a reality, each State is required to set up a Finance Commission to recommend the principles, which should govern the distribution of the State revenue between the State and the Panchayats. The Tenth Finance Commission has also allocated a sum of about Rs. 4,400 crore to be given to the Panchayati Raj Institutions over the next four years.
16. The crisis of 1991 was most visibly reflected in our balance of payments. In the past five years, our foreign trade and external payments policies have transformed weakness into strength.
– Exports declined in dollar value in 1991-92. They grew by 20 per cent in 1993-94, and by 18 per cent in 1994-95. Export growth has accelerated to 24 per cent in the first 9 months of 1995-96.
– Trade liberalization has actually increased our self-reliance in foreign trade. The ratio of export earnings to import payments has risen from an average of 60 per cent in the eighties to 90 per cent in the last two years.
– Foreign investment has risen from less than 200 million dollars in 1991-92 to nearly 5 billion dollars last year. Direct foreign investment flows are expected to rise to about 2 billion dollars this year. Honourable Members will be happy to hear that over 85 per cent of foreign investment approvals are in the priority sectors, including infrastructure, and more than 80 per cent of proposals involve joint ventures with Indian companies.
– On the eve of the 1991 crisis, our external debt was rising at 8 billion dollars per year. In the four and half years from April 1991 to September 1995, the growth of external debt has averaged only 2.2 billion dollars per year. The ratio of external debt to GDP has fallen from a peak of 41 per cent in 1991-92 to about 29 per cent in September 1995. Correspondingly, debt service payments, as percent of current earnings, are likely to drop from above 35 per cent in 1990-91 to below 27 per cent in 1995-96. Furthermore, the proportion of short-term external debt has been brought down from above 10 per cent in March 1991 to below 5 per cent in September 1995.
17. As part of the economic reforms, we have undertaken sweeping measures to strengthen our banking system and capital markets. As a result, the number of public sector banks declaring operating losses has fallen dramatically from 8 in 1992-93 to only one in 1994-95. The average ratio of non-performing assets to total advances of public sector banks has also declined significantly from 26 per cent in 1992-93 to 20 per cent in 1994-95. An ambitious programme for rehabilitation and restructuring of Regional Rural Banks has been launched.
18. Our programme of capital market reform has greatly increased the mobilization of investible funds through primary issues from about Rs. 6,000 crore in 1991-92 to over Rs. 27,500 crore in 1994-95. Even more important, we have strengthened regulation and supervision over the capital markets with a view to improving the transparency, efficiency and integrity of our stock exchanges. Systematic and determined efforts have been made to modernize the infrastructure and working of capital markets. In 1992 the National Stock Exchange did not exist. By 1995, this modern, computerized and screen-based exchange, which sets new standards of transparency in trading, accounted for more trading volume than any other stock exchange in the country. We have also taken steps to establish a system of depositories, which will greatly improve our settlement systems.
19. Our reforms in the financial sector are designed to promote savings and investment in our economy. As I have stated earlier, we must rely more and more on our own resources to finance the process of development. I am happy to report to this august House that our thrust towards self-reliance has met with success. Last year our rate of gross domestic savings (as a ratio to GDP) set a new record of 24.4 per cent, higher than at any time in our history. This financed a high rate of gross domestic investment, 25.2 per cent of GDP, and supported a record high level of real gross fixed investment, at 22.2 per cent of GDP.
20. To summarize, Mr. Speaker Sir, our economy today is growing faster than 6 per cent per year. Industry is growing rapidly. Agricultural production is strong. Food stocks are high. Employment growth is buoyant. Poverty is declining. Inflation is at its lowest ebb in many years. Exports are booming. Foreign investment is buoyant. Foreign exchange reserves are comfortable. And the level of savings and investment is high.
21. These are all impressive economic achievements. They are the direct result of the political leadership and vision of the Prime Minister in bringing about an evolution in our policies, which has enabled our workers and our farmers, our entrepreneurs and our managers, our scientists and other professionals to demonstrate their inherent potential. The dynamism that has been unleashed augurs well for the future. And yet, the tasks of economic reform are by no means over. Whichever government comes to power after the elections, will face the challenge of maintaining and improving on the strong record of economic performance of the past few years. The task will not be easy. A further reduction in the fiscal deficit will be essential to keep inflation low, reduce interest rates and prevent pressure on the balance of payments. We have begun the process of inducting private investment into key infrastructure sectors such as power, telecommunications, petroleum, roads and ports. There has already been strong response to our initiatives in the power and telecommunications sectors and private investment in roads, bridges and ports has also begun. But we will need to build on these initiatives and undertake further reforms of the policy framework for key infrastructure sectors to ensure high levels of public and private investment, efficient operation and expanded provision of reliable services, in adequate supplies and at affordable prices. Systematic reforms will have to be pursued in power, coal, petroleum, roads and ports, if the current buoyancy in economic growth, employment and exports is to be sustained. Further reforms in trade and industrial policy are necessary. Restructuring and reform of public enterprises must be pursued with vigour. Our system of industrial relations also needs reform. The performance of our social sectors, especially primary education and health, has to improve further substantially. The same goes for irrigation and other forms of rural infrastructure, whose extent and quality determine the conditions within which three-quarters of our citizens live and work.
22. These and other challenges will face the Government, which will take office after the elections. On our part, I can only say that our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri P.V. Narasimha Rao, has shown that it has the will and vision to face the challenges ahead and do what is necessary for India’s economic and social progress to forge ahead.
23. I shall now briefly go over the Revised Estimates for 1995-96.
24. Budget Estimates for 1995-96 had placed the total expenditure at Rs. 172,151 crore. This is now expected to go up to Rs. 183,004 crore, showing an increase of Rs. 10,853 crore.
25. Plan expenditure in the year 1995-96 was estimated at Rs. 48,500 crore in the Budget Estimates. It is now expected to go up to Rs. 48,684 crore. To provide for the increased requirement of rural development sector and for schemes announced during the year, I have had to make some adjustments in allocations. The revised estimates show an increase of Rs. 551 crore for Plan expenditure in rural development and an increase of Rs. 679 crore in education. Central assistance to State and U.T. Plans, which was estimated at Rs. 19,506 crore is now expected to increase to Rs. 19,854 crore.
26. On the non-Plan side I have provided for an additional sum of Rs. 1,085 crore on account of food and fertilizer subsidies. I have also had to make provision for Rs. 3,112 crore for increased loans to States and Union Territories as their share in small savings collections, which have far exceeded budget expectations. The Interim Relief granted to the Central Government employees and pensioners will result in additional expenditure estimated at about Rs. 1,650 crore in the current financial year. A sum of Rs. 1,010 crore has been provided as write off of loans of State Governments. An additional sum of Rs. 1,379 crore has been provided for defence expenditure, to keep up the level of defence preparedness. I have also had to provide an additional Rs. 266 crore for expenditure on police in keeping with our heightened internal security requirements. There has also been an increase in expenditure of Rs. 745 crore on account of loans to public sector enterprises mainly for payments of salaries and wages. Total non-Plan expenditure has entailed an additional provision of Rs. 10,669 crore.
27. I am happy once again to report to this august House that our tax reforms have continued to yield benefits beyond our expectations. This is shown by the much higher receipts both in direct and indirect taxes. Gross tax revenues are now expected to exceed budget estimates by Rs. 6,592 crore and reach Rs. 110,354 crore. Our strategy of tax reforms, consisting of moderate rates but tighter administration and expanded coverage, will need to be actively pursued so that we are able to get even higher returns in the years to come. Officers of the Revenue Department, whose dedication and untiring efforts have helped in achieving these exemplary results, deserve commendation.
28. Non-tax revenues, which constitute an important component of our receipts, have also shown healthy buoyancy. Receipts under this head, which were estimated at Rs. 26,413 crore in the Budget, are now expected to be Rs. 29,103 crore in the revised estimates. I am glad to inform the House that non-tax receipts include Rs. 1,850 crore as licence fee from the private operators of cellular telecom services. These receipts to General Revenues will enable the Government to provide larger resources for high priority development activities. The House is aware that the Supreme Court judgement a few days ago has vindicated the Government’s stand and cleared the way for allocation of licenses for basic telecom services. However, because of some uncertainty with regard to timing of receipts and as a matter of abundant caution, I am not taking credit for license fees from operators of basic telecom services during the current year.
29. Non-debt creating capital receipts from disinvestment of government equity in public sector undertakings will be much lower than budgeted, mainly because of somewhat depressed conditions in capital markets for much of the year. These receipts will only amount to Rs. 357 crore as compared to budget expectations of Rs. 7,000 crore.
30. Taking into account the variations in receipts and expenditures, the current year is expected to end with a budget deficit of Rs. 7,600 crore. The fiscal deficit was originally budgeted at Rs. 57,634 crore and placed at 5.5 per cent of GDP. It is now expected to be Rs. 64,010 crore. This amounts to 5.9 per cent of GDP. Most of the deterioration in the fiscal deficit compared with the budget estimates is due to the increased mobilisation from small savings. Three quarters of small savings collections are on-lent to the States. Therefore, when small savings collections exceed budget estimates, the Centre’s fiscal deficit increases. If small savings collections this year had not exceeded the budgeted level, the fiscal deficit would have been only 5.6 per cent of GDP.
31. Coming to the tax and expenditure policies for 1996-97, these must take into account the medium term objectives for accelerated economic and social development in the next five years. Broadly stated, these objectives are:
(a) To pursue macroeconomic policies seeking to accelerate the rate of economic growth to 7 to 8 percent per annum in a framework of reasonable price stability.
(b) To design a pattern of growth, which would lead to an annual increase of over 10 million new jobs.
(c) To refashion economic and social policies to reduce the proportion of people living below the poverty line to less than 10 per cent by 2001.
(d) To ensure that Indian agriculture continues to grow at an annual rate of at least four per cent per annum, with strong emphasis on the use of modern science and technology to promote diversification of cropping pattern and special efforts to increase the productivity of dry land agriculture and ecologically fragile regions.
(e) To further strengthen Indian industry to meet the challenge of international competition and ensure sustained growth of exports of about 25 per cent per year.
(f) To expand and improve the quality of economic infrastructure of power, transport, communications and roads, laying particular emphasis on speedy reduction of regional imbalances in levels of development.
(g) To strengthen and expand social safety nets to provide more effective and direct assistance to vulnerable sections.
(h) To ensure universal access to elementary education by the year 2001, laying particular emphasis on the girl child and imparting a strong vocational bias to secondary education.
(i) To expand primary health care facilities through a programme of national health insurance for those below the poverty line and with strong emphasis on reduction in infant mortality rates to the levels prevailing in States like Kerala.
(j) To expand substantially the programmes relating to provision of shelter, rural housing and slum improvement.
The realisation of these objectives will require many new programmes. However, constitutional propriety demands that these programmes, involving a mix of both tax and expenditure policies, are worked out by the government which will come into office after the forthcoming elections to the Lok Sabha. The interim Budget for 1996-97, therefore, does not include any new programmes.
32. I am presenting an interim Budget for the purpose of a Vote-on-Account to enable the Government to meet expenditure during the first 4 months of the next financial year. The Demands for Grants and the Annual Financial Statement, which are for the entire financial year, would be revised as necessary at the time of presentation of the regular budget.
33. I now turn to the budget estimates for 1996-97. I am proposing an increase in the estimates for Plan expenditure from Rs. 48,500 crore in BE 1995-96 to Rs. 50,521 crore in BE 1996-97. The budget support proposed for the Plan is interim and will need to be reviewed at the time of the regular budget exercise. However, the amount I am now providing will ensure that the tempo of development activities is maintained and the full year requirements of major social sector schemes launched during the course of the current year are fully provided for.
34. I have tried to ensure that increased budgetary support is provided for rural development and social sectors.
– Members may recall that in keeping with the priorities of our Government the outlay for rural development programmes during the Eighth Plan period was stepped up substantially to the level of Rs. 30,000 crore from the actual expenditure of Rs. 11,000 crore during Seventh Plan. With the proposed allocation of Rs. 8,692 crore for 1996-97, the total expenditure during the Eighth Plan will be of the order of Rs. 33,400 crore. This amounts to a more than three-fold increase over the actual expenditure during the Seventh Plan.
– I have proposed to provide an increase in budgetary support of about Rs. 880 crore for Plan expenditure in education to ensure that implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme does not in any way suffer on account of resources. 7.2 crore children are expected to benefit from this programme in 1996-97.
– I am also raising the allocation for the National Social Assistance Programme from Rs. 550 crore in 1995-96 to Rs. 932 crore in 1996-97.
– I propose to increase the allocation for Indira Awas Yojana so that more than 10 lakh houses are provided for the rural poor in 1996-97.
– A provision of Rs. 448 crore has been made for the Million Well Scheme so that small and marginal farmers who are below the poverty line are provided with remunerative assets for meeting their water needs.
– The Employment Assurance Scheme, which was launched in October1993, has elicited heartening response. A provision of Rs. 1,970 crore has been made for this scheme during 1996-97.
35. The total non-Plan expenditure during 1996-97 is estimated to be Rs. 151,503 crore compared to Rs. 134,320 crore in revised estimates for the current year. A major factor which has been contributing to the sizeable increase in our non-Plan expenditure is the interest burden. The provision for interest payments during 1996-97 is estimated to be Rs. 60,000 crore as against Rs. 52,000 crore in the current year. Interest payments represent mainly the legacy of past borrowings. Indeed, they would have been even higher but for our success in reducing the fiscal deficit in recent years. Members will appreciate that our emphasis on reducing the fiscal deficit will pay rich dividends in the form of reduction of interest burden in the years to come. There should be no slackening in our resolve to bring the fiscal deficit to a more manageable and affordable level. This together with continued reforms of our tax system, generation of more internal resources by public sector enterprises, greater disinvestment in public sector enterprises and containing subsidies to affordable levels will free resources for higher priority development needs.
36. I am providing Rs. 27,819 crore for defence in this Interim Budget as against Rs. 25,500 crore in the budget estimates for 1995-96. Defence preparedness is vital for our national security and the House can rest assured that we will not compromise with our country’s security. The provision for defence will be further revised at the time of preparation of the regular budget. I am also providing Rs. 5,774 crore for food subsidy and Rs. 6,800 crore for fertilizer subsidy. An amount of Rs. 5,000 crore is being provided to meet contingent expenditure. A sum of Rs. 400 crore has also been provided for the conduct of general elections to the Lok Sabha.
37. Coming to receipts, the estimates of tax revenues have been made at existing rates of taxation in the interim Budget. Gross tax revenue at existing levels of taxation is placed at Rs. 128,540 crore. States’ share of taxes next year is estimated at Rs. 34,027 crore compared to Rs. 29,266 crore in the revised estimates of the current year. Taking into account the maturing liability, the net small savings collections are placed at Rs. 15,716 crore in 1996-97. I am taking a credit of Rs. 5,000 crore next year as receipts from disinvestments as continuation of the policy of mobilising non-inflationary resources. I am also expecting an increase in dividends and have estimated these receipts at Rs. 4,051 crore in 1996-97.
38. Taking into account the changes in receipts and expenditure, total net revenue receipts of the Centre, at the existing rates of taxation, are estimated at Rs. 127,162 crore and total expenditure is estimated at Rs. 202,024 crore. The budget deficit during 1996-97 is estimated to be Rs. 5,000 crore and the fiscal deficit is estimated to be Rs. 62,404 crore. My proposals in the interim Budget will take us further in the direction of bringing down the fiscal deficit to more manageable proportions. I expect that on the basis of these estimates the fiscal deficit during 1996-97 will be 5 per cent of GDP. I would have liked to do better. I am restrained in my efforts because I am presenting an interim Budget at this stage. But I am sure that these efforts will provide a sound foundation for enhanced efforts in this direction.
39. I propose to introduce a Finance Bill, which seeks to continue the existing rates of Income Tax in the financial year 1996-97. I am not proposing any changes in the rates of Custom and Central Excise duties.
40. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have sought to outline our achievements, the unfinished task that lies ahead, as well as our vision of the future economic and social agenda we must pursue to realize the national goal of an India free from the fear of war, want and exploitation; an India which takes full advantage of modern science and technology to build a strong, self reliant and internationally competitive economy; an India firmly committed to the twin pursuit of excellence and social equity in the framework of an open society and democratic polity based on the rule of law and abiding faith in fundamental human freedoms.
41. In my first budget speech to this Honourable House on 24th July 1991, I had stated, quoting Victor Hugo, that no power on earth could stop an idea whose time had come. I had also suggested to this House that the emergence of India as a front ranking economic powerhouse of the world economy happened to be an idea whose time had indeed come. Despite enormous challenges and difficulties, we have worked earnestly to give concrete shape to this dream. We are already the sixth largest economy of the world. We are determined to further move up this ladder. But this will require far-sighted political leadership, sustained hard work and willingness to accept utmost discipline in our national life. We cannot afford to fritter away the vast energies of our nation in senseless communal strife or caste and class wars. Nor can we allow the national commitment to Swadeshi to be misused by the forces of obscurantism to perpetuate economic backwardness and prevent India from occupying her rightful place in the world. As Jawahar Lal Nehru taught us, in an interdependent world, Swadeshi must not be interpreted to mean economic isolation but rather self-reliance in building a prosperous India, which interacts as an equal with other countries in the world. We seek to build a new India which, in the words of Gandhiji, will be like a house with windows open on all sides; let ideas from all the cultures and civilisations of the world freely flow in; but we must refuse to be blown off our feet by any one of them. This is the true essence of Swadeshi and we shall not compromise on this essential principle.
42. India is on the threshold of exciting new opportunities. Gandhi Ji used to say that the central disease of India is its deep poverty and deeper ignorance. Thanks to recent developments in science and technology, it is now possible as never before to wage a successful war against poverty, ignorance and disease. Drawing inspiration from the high ideals and humanism of Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, our party and Government reaffirm our solemn commitment to successful pursuit of this giant national enterprise. We shall overcome.
43. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is the last session of the present Lok Sabha. Soon, our people will be called upon to exercise their sovereign democratic right to choose the next Government. Undoubtedly, their choice will have a profound bearing on the future of our polity and the well-being of our children and our grand children. Time and again, the Indian people have shown that they can be relied upon to make sound and sensible decisions. I have every reason to believe that when the time comes, our people will be discriminating enough to recognise the friendly hand that alone can help our nation to move forward on the road to peace and prosperity and preserve its unity and integrity.
Government of India – Income Tax Slab Rates for AY 1997-1998
Personal Income Tax Rates in India for the Financial Year 1996-1997 and Assessment Year 1997-1998
