Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed parliament on Monday with details of the Union Budget 2021. This is the first budget report after a challenging year for the economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coming to the infrastructure, the FM has announced to spend Rs 1.41 lakh crore for Urban Clean India Mission. The outlay of Rs 1.18 lakh crore for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and to spend Rs 1.1 lakh crore for Railways in FY22.
The Centre announced customs duty cut to 2.5% and 5% on copper scrap and solar lanterns respectively. The Customs duty has been increased on some auto parts to be increased to 15% and on cotton to 10% and silk to 15%.
Sitaraman also announced that the Senior citizens above 75 years of age with only interest income will not have to file income tax returns. However, no tax relief has been given for the salaried class. The FM did not announce a change in income tax slabs for individuals in the Union Budget 2021.