SME Times News Bureau | 08 Aug, 2019
The government is working on a stimulus package for
the industry including a slew of financial measures ranging from tax cuts,
subsidies and other incentives, a news agency report said quoting official sources.
Official sources said the package would not only aim to reduce the cost for the
industry but would also lay out procedures that would further provide impetus
to ease of doing business.
As concerned voices rise in India Inc over a consistent fall in demand, the
measures would also try to address the issues of raising consumption by
providing more money into the hands of consumers and reducing the prices of
consumables by reducing indirect tax rates of a host of consumption items.
Already, a separate package is being looked at for the auto sector whose
representatives recently met Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The industry
has sought lower GST rates on automobiles and introduction of a scrappage
policy that incentivises new purchase. The Government has already reduced GST
on electric vehicles.
The stimulus is also likely to cover the financial markets that may get relief
from the tax on FPIs imposed in this year's Budget. While Finance Ministry
officials are unwilling to indicate what changes could be made, sources said
the matter has been discussed internally and certain changes could be announced
this week.
Sitharaman is meeting representatives of the financial sector on Friday and a
clarity is expected to emerge.
Also on the anvil for the financial sector is a relook at the long-term capital
gains tax (LTCG). Sources said the Finance Ministry is studying implications of
withdrawing LTCG after the three-year holding period.
The other taxation on the market transactions such as tax on dividend
distribution may also rejigged and so is the case with tax on share buybacks
introduced in the Budget this year.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday met industry representatives,
and the business personalities who attended the meeting said the minister has
assured them of taking steps to revive the economy.
Sajjan Jindal, Chairman and MD of JSW Group tweeted: "The @FinMinIndia has
assured that special attention will be given to the MSME and NBFC sectors as
they play a vital role in the revival of our economy. They have also committed
to address the issues of the Steel, Auto & Textile sectors on priority.
"All industry leaders left the meeting in an upbeat mood about the revival
of the Indian economy," he said in another tweet.
Sitharaman has scheduled a slew of meetings with representatives of different
sectors to hear their issues as concerns of a slowdown have only risen over the
last few months. On Wednesday, the minister met representatives of the auto
sector and on Friday she is expected to meet representatives of the financial
sector.