By Neha Yadav
Published Jul 23, 2024

Hindustan Times
In Focus

Photo Credits: PTI

Nirmala Sitharaman announces Union Budget 2024: 13 key highlights

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024 on July 23, 2024. This is her seventh consecutive budget speech. Here are some key highlights of the budget.

New Tax Regime

0-  3 lakh - Nil

3-7 lakh - 5%

7-10 lakh - 10%

10-12 lakh - 15%

12-15 lakh - 20%

Above  15 lakh - 30%

Sitharaman said that the tax payers would save up to 17,500 in tax with the revised structure. She also announced an increase in the standard deduction to 75,000 under the new tax regime. 

The government proposed 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment, and skilling and 11 lakh crore for capital expenditure for infrastructure development.

The nine priorities in the Union Budget include productivity, jobs, social justice, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation, and reforms.

The government will provide financial support for loans up to 10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions.

The government proposed to abolish 'angel tax', a tax levied on the investment received by startups from angel investors.

Announcing the comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act, of 1961, the finance minister also proposed to increase the exemption on capital gains tax for certain assets to 1.5 lakh.

Sitharaman proposed to reduce customs duty on mobile phones and chargers to 15%. Customs duty on gold and silver to be reduced to 6%, platinum to 6.4%.

The Union minister proposed to set up street food hubs in select cities. She also announced 11,500 crore for Bihar for flood control measures.

The Union government proposed 26,000 crore for various road projects in Bihar. Sitharaman said that the government will arrange 15,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh's capital needs.

Sitharaman said, "India's inflation continues to be stable and moving towards the 4 percent target."

The government will provide incentives to 30 lakh youth entering the job market by providing 1 monthly PF contribution, she said.

The government will launch an initiative to provide internship opportunities to 1 crore youth in 500 top companies with 5000 per month as internship allowance and one-time assistance of 6000.