Budget 2020: As it happened
By Lokmat English Desk | Updated: February 1, 2020 14:22 IST2020-02-01T09:02:44+5:302020-02-01T14:22:52+5:30
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her second Union Budget today. Budget includes detailed statement of the estimated revenues ...

Budget 2020: As it happened
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her second Union Budget today. Budget includes detailed statement of the estimated revenues and expenditures to be incurred by the government in a particular fiscal year.
01 Feb, 20 : 02:21 PM
Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry expresses disappointment with the Union Budget 2020. "Industry was expecting much more more," said GCCI president Manoj Caculo.
01 Feb, 20 : 02:21 PM
Customs duty on tableware/kitchenware made of porcelain or China ceramic, clay iron, steel, copper doubled to 20%.
01 Feb, 20 : 02:18 PM
Customs duty on catalytic converters, parts of commercial vehicles, other than EVs, hiked.
01 Feb, 20 : 02:09 PM
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi: Maybe this was the longest #Budget speech in history but it had nothing, it was hollow.
Rahul Gandhi on Budget: The main issue facing is unemployment. I didn't see any strategic idea that would help our youth get jobs. I saw tactical stuff but no central idea. It describes govt well, lot of repetition,rambling-it is mindset of govt, all talk, but nothing happening. pic.twitter.com/IJv5LdYJsW
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 02:06 PM
Markets down following Budget announcements, Sensex plunges over 600 points, Nifty below 11,800
01 Feb, 20 : 02:05 PM
Nirmala Sitharaman cuts short her Budget speech after feeling unwell towards the end (PTI)
01 Feb, 20 : 01:51 PM
FM Sitharaman concludes her speech
01 Feb, 20 : 01:51 PM
FM announces health cess on import of medical equipment
01 Feb, 20 : 01:50 PM
Custom duty raised on footwear and furniture: FM
01 Feb, 20 : 01:39 PM
Direct taxes are lowest, simplest and smoothest says, Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:36 PM
Vivad se Vishwas' scheme for direct tax payers whose appeals are pending at various forum, says, Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:35 PM
Income Tax Act to be amended to allow faceless appeals against tax orders on lines of faceless assessment: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:32 PM
The government will bring out a policy for data centre parks throughout the country, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. The government has provided Rs 6,000 crore for BharatNet in FY21, she said adding that fibre-to-home through BharatNet will link 1 lakh gram panchayats this year. Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 01:30 PM
Date of approval of affordable housing projects for availing tax holiday on profit earned by developers extended by 1 year: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:27 PM
Affordable housing tax breaks extended by one year
01 Feb, 20 : 01:23 PM
DDT (dividend distribution tax) to be removed. Dividend shall be taxed at the hands of the recipients: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:22 PM
Concessional tax rate of 15% extended to power generation companies.
01 Feb, 20 : 01:22 PM
Govt proposes 100 pc tax concession to sovereign wealth funds on investment in infra projects
01 Feb, 20 : 01:19 PM
Government reduces tax slabs sharply
01 Feb, 20 : 01:19 PM
A person earning Rs 15 lakh per anum and not availing any deductions will now pay Rs 1.95 lakh tax in place of Rs 2.73 lakh: Nirmala Sitharam
01 Feb, 20 : 01:18 PM
Rs 40,000 crore per annum will be revenue foregone from new income tax rates for individuals, says Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:17 PM
New income tax slab for FY 2020-21: ₹5-7.5 lakh: 10%, ₹7.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh: 15%, ₹10 lakh-12.5 lakh: 20%, ₹12.5 lakh-15 lakh: 25%. For those earning above ₹15 lakh, 30%.
₹5-7.5 lakh | 10% |
₹7.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh | 15% |
₹10 lakh-12.5 lakh | 20% |
₹12.5 lakh-15 lakh | 25% |
Above 15 lakh | 30% |
01 Feb, 20 : 01:12 PM
Those earning ₹5 lakh will not pay any tax: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:09 PM
Tax rate of 30% on income above Rs 15 lakh will be continued: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:07 PM
Similarly, for income between Rs 10-12.5 lakh, the tax rate is currently 30%. This has now been bought down to 20%: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:06 PM
To provide significant relief to individual taxpayers, I propose to bring a new simplified personal income tax regime wherein I-T rates will be decreased: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:06 PM
Presently, an individual pays 20% of tax on income between Rs 5-10 lakh and 30% on income beyond Rs 10 lakh: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:03 PM
RE (Revised Estimates) expenditure for FY20 at Rs 26.99 lakh crore, receipts at Rs 19.32 lakh crore: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 01:02 PM
A fiscal deficit of 3.8% estimated: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:59 PM
GDP nominal growth has been estimated at 10%: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:56 PM
Government will sell part of its stake in LIC through IPO: Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:55 PM
Scheme to provide subordinate debt for entrepreneurs of MSMEs to be introduced, says Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:54 PM
Govt has asked RBI to extend Debt restructuring window for MSME by a year to March 31, 2021
01 Feb, 20 : 12:53 PM
Government pension trust will be separated from PFRDA: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:52 PM
Balance govt holding in IDBI banks to be sold to pvt retail investors: Nirmala Sitharam
01 Feb, 20 : 12:51 PM
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said that the Union Budget 2020 provides an additional Rs 69,000 crore for the health sector... Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 12:49 PM
Anganwadis, health and wellness centres, government schools, PDS outlets, post offices and police stations to be provided digital connectivity.
01 Feb, 20 : 12:47 PM
₹30,757 crore allocated for Jammu and Kashmir, and ₹5,958 for Ladakh for fiscal 2020-21
01 Feb, 20 : 12:45 PM
A robust mechanism is in place to monitor the health of all scheduled commercial banks. The deposited money of individuals is absolutely safe: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:44 PM
Insurance cover for a depositor will be raised to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:43 PM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday hailed the Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying that the new tax regime has resulted in efficiency gains in transport and logistics sector... Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 12:39 PM
Rs 100 crore to be allocated for G20 preparations: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:38 PM
Tax harassment cannot be tolerated: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:37 PM
Promoting ease of living is the main aim of Modi government: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:35 PM
Sitharaman has a ₹4,400 cr solution to Delhi's pollution
01 Feb, 20 : 12:33 PM
National security is the top priority of the government: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:30 PM
Nirvik (Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana) scheme to provide enhanced insurance cover and reduce premium for small exporters: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:29 PM
1,150 trains will run under the public private partnership (PPP) mode, also four stations will be redeveloped with the help of the private sector: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:28 PM
Allocation of ₹9,500 crores for senior citizens and 'Divyang' to be enhanced: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:25 PM
3,150 crore allocated for the ministry of culture in 2020-21
01 Feb, 20 : 12:24 PM
Ranchi to get a tribal museum
01 Feb, 20 : 12:23 PM
5 archeological sites will be developed as iconic sites with on-site museum: Nirmala Sitharaman.
01 Feb, 20 : 12:20 PM
Govt provides Rs 53,700 crore for development and welfare of Scheduled Tribes
01 Feb, 20 : 12:19 PM
Propose to provide Rs 35,600 crore for nutrition-related programmes in 2020-21: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:17 PM
Over 6 lakh anganwadi workers have been equipped with smartphones to upload the nutrition status of 10 crore households: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:14 PM
Rs 1.7 lakh crore provided for transport infrastructure in 2020-21
01 Feb, 20 : 12:14 PM
Nirmala Sitharaman proposes Rs 8,000 crore outlay over 5 years for National Mission of Quantum Technology and Application
01 Feb, 20 : 12:11 PM
Government has harnessed new technology to enable Direct Benefit Transfers on a scale like never before: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:10 PM
Emphasising on doubling the farm income of farmers across the country by 2022, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her 2020-21 budget speech... Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 12:07 PM
100 more airports to be developed by 2024: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:07 PM
Delhi-Mumbai expressway and two other projects will be completed by 2023: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 12:00 PM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech: With renewed vigour, under PM's leadership, we commit ourselves to present the people of India with all humility and dedication. People have reposed faith in our economic policy. pic.twitter.com/g3Ai0fsgFi
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 11:58 AM
Health Sector To Get Rs 69,000 Crore: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:53 AM
IND-SAT test proposed for foreign students wishing to pursue higher education in India: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:53 AM
Key Highlights
Aim To Attach Medical College To District Hospital In PPP Mode
National Police & Forensic Science Universities Being Proposed
To Start Online Education Programme For Deprived Section
Urban Local Bodies To Provide Internship To Engineers For 1 Year
Aim To Attach Medical College To District Hospital In PPP Mode
There Is Huge Overseas Demand For Teachers, Nurses, Caregivers
Rs 3,000 Crore allocated for skill development in FY21
01 Feb, 20 : 11:51 AM
Nirmala Sitharaman announces Rs 99,300 crore outlay for education sector in 2020-21 and Rs 3,000 crore for skill development
01 Feb, 20 : 11:50 AM
Nirmala Sitharaman proposes to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendras in all districts of country to provide medicines at affordable rates
01 Feb, 20 : 11:49 AM
Anti-TB campaign to be launched to eliminate TB by 2025: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:47 AM
Degree-level full-fledged online education programme to be offered by the top 100 institutions in the country: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:46 AM
Proceeds from taxes on medical devices would be used to support setting up of hospitals: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:44 AM
By 2030, India is set to have the largest working age population in the world: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:42 AM
The total allocation for Swachh Bharat Mission is Rs 12,300 crore in 2020-21: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:42 AM
Village Storage Scheme run by Self Help Groups, will provide holding capacity for farmers, women in villages can regain their status as 'Dhaanya Lakshmi.' : Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:40 AM
'Jal Jeevan Mission' and sanitation programme 'Swachh Bharat Yojna' have been launched to tackle health concerns: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:39 AM
Food Corporation of India and Warehousing Corporation of India to build warehousing facility on their land: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:37 AM
By 2022-23, I propose raising fish production to 200 lakh tonnes: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:36 AM
Themes of Union Budget 2020: Aspiration, economic development, caring society: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:35 AM
Agricultural credit target has been set at Rs 15 lakh crore: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:32 AM
Will be setting up Kisan rail so that farm goods can be quickly transported across the country: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:31 AM
Comprehensive measures for 100 water-stressed districts being proposed: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:30 AM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lists 16-point action plan for farmers
01 Feb, 20 : 11:28 AM
We shall help 15 lakh farmers solarize their grid-connected pumpsets: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:27 AM
GST resulted in Rs 1 lakh crore gains to consumers, removed inspector raj and helped transport sector: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:26 AM
We have moved on from a growth rate of just over 4% to around 7% in 2014 -2019: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:24 AM
We are committed to Doubling farmers' income by 2022: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:23 AM
India uplifted 271 million people out of poverty: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:21 AM
The Union Budget is woven around three primary themes -- Aspirational India, Economic development for all and a caring society: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:19 AM
FM Sitharaman says central govt's debt has come down to 48.7% in March, 2019 from 52.2% in March, 2014
01 Feb, 20 : 11:16 AM
FM @nsitharaman on the forward march of GST
— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 1, 2020
Watch LIVE: https://t.co/TN71mvbfGt#Budget2020#JanJanKaBudgetpic.twitter.com/LJQ3215KhK
01 Feb, 20 : 11:14 AM
Between 2006-16, India was able to pull 271 million people out of poverty: FM
01 Feb, 20 : 11:14 AM
The milestones achieved under Modi government have been unprecedented and were globally recognized: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:13 AM
40 crore GST returns were filed in this financial year: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:12 AM
Guided by Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, our govt scaled up the implementation of schemes that directly benefited the poor and disadvantaged: Nirmala Sitharaman
01 Feb, 20 : 11:10 AM
We have added 16 lakh new taxpayers, reveals FM
01 Feb, 20 : 11:09 AM
"For every member of the schedule caste and schedule tribe, for every women, for every individual from minority section of the society, this budget aims to give wings to your aspirations: Nirmala Sitharaman."
01 Feb, 20 : 11:07 AM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech: With renewed vigour, under PM's leadership, we commit ourselves to present the people of India with all humility and dedication. People have reposed faith in our economic policy. pic.twitter.com/g3Ai0fsgFi
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 11:04 AM
#WATCH Live via ANI FB: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the full Budget of the second term of the Narendra Modi government. https://t.co/3mo97GEPcV (Source: Lok Sabha TV) pic.twitter.com/RzuEOBusaD
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 11:03 AM
LS session begins. FM Sitharaman's speech shortly
01 Feb, 20 : 11:02 AM
दिल्ली के लोगों को पूरी उम्मीद है कि केंद्र सरकार बजट में दिल्ली के हितों की रक्षा करेगी। चुनाव के मद्देनजर दिल्ली को और भी ज़्यादा मिलना चाहिए। बजट बताएगा कि भाजपा को हम दिल्लीवालों की कितनी परवाह है।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 10:57 AM
BJP MPs Hema Malini,Ravi Kishan, and Sunny Deol arrive in Parliament.
01 Feb, 20 : 10:51 AM
Cabinet approves Union Budget 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 10:50 AM
Trivia: The longest speech was delivered by Manmohan Singh, comprising 18,650 words
01 Feb, 20 : 10:47 AM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's family including her daughter Parakala Vangmayi arrive in Parliament.
01 Feb, 20 : 10:46 AM
Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at the Parliament, ahead of the presentation of #Budget2020pic.twitter.com/2Pt6xMTXJW
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 10:43 AM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Parliament, ahead of presentation of Union Budget 2020-21.
01 Feb, 20 : 10:28 AM
Our effort has been to bring the best for people and country, says MoS Anurag Thakur ahead of Budget session
Ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2020-21 in the Parliament on Saturday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur offered prayers at his residence and said the government has attempted to bring the best for the people and for the country."The Modi government believes in 'sabka sath, sabka vikas.' We received suggestions from across the country. The government has made efforts to ensure that this Budget will be good for all, good for the people and the country," Thakur told . Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 10:23 AM
#WATCH Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS Finance Anurag Thakur arrive at the Parliament, to attend Cabinet meeting; Presentation of Union Budget 2020-21 at 11 am pic.twitter.com/J217IqrVUr
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 10:22 AM
Delhi: The printed copies of the Union Budget 2020-21 have been brought to the Parliament pic.twitter.com/06Nb7Gl8Wn
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 10:08 AM
Cabinet meets at 10.15 am ahead of Union Budget
The Union Cabinet meeting will be held at 10:15 am on Saturday here, ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2020-21 in Parliament.Finance Minister and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget in. It will be her second Budget. Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 09:58 AM
Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba arrives at the Parliament.
01 Feb, 20 : 09:57 AM
Will the Union Budget 2020 make it India's decade?
Indications from statements made by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the start of the Parliament's Budget session may presage a Budget woven around the theme of the start of a new decade and the building of a New India.PM Modi kicked off the "new decade" theme on Friday morning in his customary statement before the beginning of the Budget session.He asked the Members of Parliament to work towards laying a strong foundation for a "bright future of the country in the new decade". Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 09:57 AM
N Hiranandani,CMD,Hiranandani Group: "I've never seen a liquidity crisis as bad as it is today. No matter how good the budget is if the oil in the mechanism of the economy is not working, the economy can't move. If the oil comes back and we get boost of budget then we will see recovery."
01 Feb, 20 : 09:52 AM
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman calls on President Ram Nath Kovind before presenting the Union Budget 2020-21
01 Feb, 20 : 09:50 AM
Budget 2020: Tax slabs tweak, higher basic exemption on agenda
As clamour grows for more money into the pockets of consumers and households to boost consumption in the economy, the government is discussing multiple options on cuts in personal income tax (PIT) in the forthcoming Union Budget.A final decision was to be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Read More
01 Feb, 20 : 09:27 AM
Sensex at 40,576, down by 140 points ; Nifty at 11,910, down by 126.50 points
01 Feb, 20 : 09:24 AM
MoS Finance Anurag Thakur: Modi govt believes in 'sabka sath, sabka vikas.' We received suggestions from across the country. The government is making efforts that this budget is good for all. #Budget2020https://t.co/h72WcINpkKpic.twitter.com/0oOKqo8bfj
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 09:24 AM
#WATCH Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with the 'Bahi-Khata'. #Budget2020 ; She will present her second Budget today. pic.twitter.com/jfbSSHPMSy
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 09:16 AM
Delhi: Cabinet meeting to be held at 10:15 am today in the Parliament House, ahead of the presentation of Union Budget 2020-21.
01 Feb, 20 : 09:15 AM
Ministry of Finance: The gross GST revenue collected in the month of January, 2020 is Rs 1,10,828 crores. The total number of GSTR 3B Returns filed for the month of December up to 31st January, 2020 is 83 lakh.
01 Feb, 20 : 09:13 AM
#WATCH Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Ministry of Finance; She will present her second Budget today. #UnionBudget2020pic.twitter.com/seVY46OanS
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020
01 Feb, 20 : 09:12 AM
Anurag Thakur leaving his residence after offering prayers ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2020-21 in the Parliament today.
01 Feb, 20 : 09:09 AM
Today, trading will begin from 9:15am and will close at 3:30pm. As per the notice issued by the exchanges, pre-opening orders will be placed between 9:00 and 9:08am, and will be matched from 9:08 am and 9:15 am. This is not the first time that markets are open on a Saturday. Back in 2015, markets were open for trade on Saturday when former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Budget.
01 Feb, 20 : 09:06 AM
FM Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at ministry of finance.