Health care, vaccine, relief for senior citizens: Major highlights of Budget 2021

Union Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday presented the Union Budget for 2020-21. The FM said the proposals rest on six pillars, including health and well-being –physical and financial capital.

• Senior citizens above 75 yrs of age with only pension income exempted from filing tax returns.

• Govt announced Aatmanirbhar packages totalling Rs 27.1 lakh crore to deal with Covid pandemic

• FM proposes the introduction of the Aatmanirbhar health program with an outlay of Rs 64,180 cr; this in addition to the national health mission.

• Govt to provide Rs 35,000 cr for Covid-19 vaccination in 2021-22; committed to providing more funds.

• Swachh Bharat 2.0 will be implemented with outlay of Rs 1,41,678 cr over 5 years.

• Capital expenditure budget to increase to Rs 5.54 lakh cr in FY’22 from Rs 4.39 lakh cr in RE for FY’21.

• FM announces Rs 25,000 cr road projects in poll-bound West Bengal. FM allocates Rs 65,000 cr for road, highway projects in Kerala, Rs 3,400 cr for Assam.

• FM announces Rs 18,000 cr scheme to augment public transport in urban areas.

• FDI in insurance increased to 74 pc from 49 pc

• LIC IPO will be brought in FY22

• FM puts disinvestment receipts at Rs 1.75 lakh cr for fiscal year beginning April 1, 2021

• Govt committed to welfare of farmers. 43.36 lakh wheat growing farmers benefited from govt procurement under MSP as against 35.57 lakh previously

• Allocation to rural infra development increased to Rs 40,000 cr in next fiscal from Rs 30,000 crore in FY21

• Rs 1.5 lakh deduction on payment of interest for affordable housing extended by 1 year