Finance Minister Speech Today: EPF relief, TDS rate cut; ITR filing deadline extended

-15 measures to be announced today – EPF, small sector enterprises, MFIs, discoms, contractors, real estate and tax measures.

-Banks are not shying away from disbursing loans, but many customers are saying that they will avail loans after end of lockdown, this is one reason why sanctioned loans are not being released, explains FM

-No time to estimate the extent of damage due to coronavirus. We are now busy responding to the situation: FM

-The change in definition of MSMEs is to allow inclusion of more businesses into MSMEs, Sitharaman explains.

-Due date for filing income tax returns (ITR) extended from July 31 to November 30: Sitharaman

-All pending payments shall be issued immediately: FM

-The TDS reduction will infuse liquidity of ₹50,000 crore: FM

-The TDS rate cuts will apply for all purposes. It comes into force from tomorrow: FM

-Till 31 march 21, TDS, TCS rates by 25%: Sitharaman

-In a major relief to contractors, all Central agencies to provide an extension of up to 6 months, without cost to contractor, to obligations like completion of work covering construction and goods and services contracts: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

– ₹45,000 crore liquidity infusion, first 20% loss will be borne by govt. of India, even unrated papers will be eligible for investment, enabling NBFCs to reach out even to MSMEs in far-flung areas: FM

– ₹90,000 crore liquidity injection for Power Distribution Companies (DISCOM)

-Partial credit guarantee scheme for NBFCs

– ₹30,000 crore liquidity scheme through debt papers, HFCs and micro-finance institutions: Sitharaman

-The reduction of statutory EPF contribution will increase take home pay and also increase liquidity

-CPSEs will continue to maintain EPF at 12%: FM

-The statutory PF contribution is being reduced from 12% to 10% for 3 months: Sitharaman

-Govt of India will pay for EPF for another 3 months. 72 lakh employees will benefit from it: FM

-Liquidity relief is being given for all EPF establishments. 12% of contribution which is paid by employer, and 12% by employee is now extended for another 3 months.

-Global tenders to be disallowed in government procurement up to ₹200 crores. This will make self-reliant India, will also then be able to serve ‘Make in India’: Sitharaman

-The new MSME definition address MSMEs’ fear of losing benefits due to outgrowing the MSME definition. Now, MSMEs need not worry about growing in size, they can continue to receive MSME benefits: Sitharaman.

– ₹50,000 cr. equity infusion for MSMEs through Fund of Funds; to be operated through a Mother Fund and few daughter funds; this will help to expand MSME size as well as capacity: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman