The Morning Standard - February 02, 2025

In this issue

February 02, 2025

Bihar gets bulk of the allocations

BIHAR was written all over the Union Budget as it made significant allocations for the NDA-ruled state that will face assembly polls later this year.

1 min

TAX AXE BUDGET PRODS PEOPLE TO SPEND MORE

A country is not just its soil, a country is its people-a famous line of Telugu poet and playwright Gurajada Appa Rao quoted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her speechsums up the focus of Budget 2025-26.

2 mins

NO TAX FOR UP TO ₹12.75 LAKH, MAJOR OVERHAUL IN SLABS

FINANCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday gave the middle class and the common man enough reasons to smile when she announced her personal income tax proposals.

1 min

Kejriwal asked for 10L relief, Nirmala gives ₹2L more

TEN days ago, while launching his party's manifesto, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal focused on the middle class and demanded that the Centre scrap income tax on earnings up to ₹10 lakh.

1 min

8 MLAs join BJP day after quitting AAP

AAP says some were upset over being denied a ticket

1 min

2020 riots: Court orders probe into police brutality

A Delhi court has directed a probe into allegations of police brutality during the 2020 riots, where officers were allegedly seen on video assaulting Muslim men and forcing them to chant religious and patriotic slogans.

1 min

I-T CUT MAY NOT BOOST PRIVATE CONSUMPTION

THE announcement on changes in income tax slabs involving reduction in effective income tax rates in Budget 2025-26 has expectedly made headlines in the Indian media.

2 mins

Mithilanchal matrix in Madhubani saree

Presenting her eighth consecutive Union Budget on Saturday, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a subtle yet powerful political gesture choosing to wear a Madhubani-embroidered saree symbolising her 'affection' for the Mithilanchal in Bihar.

1 min

7.5% hike in security net with ₹12K cr allocation

The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated ₹12,259.16 crore for Delhi Police, reflecting a 7.52% increase from the previous financial year.

1 min

Focus on AI Centre, Infra at IITs, Stem Labs

BROADBAND connectivity for government secondary schools, a centre of excellence for artificial intelligence and the expansion of five new IITs are among the key announcements related to the education sector made in the Union Budget 2025-26 Speech on February 1.

1 min

DMK, AIADMK on the same page

TWO Dravidian majors – the ruling DMK and the principal opposition AIADMK – struck the same note on Saturday in their attack on the BJP-led government, both alleging that Tamil Nadu was ignored in the Union Budget 2025-26.

2 mins

Telugu, Tamil Classics In Nirmala Speech

In her opening remarks, Sitharaman referenced a line from the famous Telugu poet Gurujada Apparao's Desamunu Preminchumanna: 'Desamante matti kaadoyi, desamante manushuloyi' (Country is not just mud and soil. Country means people).

1 min

Ease of Doing Business Gets Fresh Impetus

Over the past decade, the government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to improving the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in India by rationalising regulatory burdens and promoting a more business-friendly environment.

1 min

Tailored To Help Poor, Women, Youth & Farmers

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said the Union Budget presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman was tailored to benefit the poor, youth, women and farmers—the four key groups that require most focus, and give a significant boost to India's economic growth and development.

1 min

Demands ignored, a big turn off

THE Kerala government's hopes of a substantial allocation to compensate its revenue loss and to fund key initiatives were dashed with the budget ignoring most of its demands.

1 min

Perks for AP, key projects on course

WHILE Andhra Pradesh was not specifically mentioned in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech, a closer look at the document revealed that the Centre has allocated funds for several key projects in the State, including the Polavaram Irrigation Project, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, and Visakhapatnam Port.

1 min

Only ‘khaali chombu’ for K’taka, says Siddu

TERMING the Union Budget most disappointing and lacklustre, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that it has nothing for Karnataka.

1 min

BUDGET GOES BIG, GROWTH HINGES ON HOPE

GO big, or go home. It's a mantra often chanted by American sports teams facing an uphill challenge on the field.

4 mins

Prudence in the Time of Turmoil

India's political economy is peculiar, in that we have only seven income taxpayers for every 100 voters.

2 mins

PRUDENCE IN THE TIME OF TURMOIL

The global macroeconomic backdrop to the finance minister's eighth budget is a turmoil caused by protectionist policies of the US and a stock market crash caused by a Chinese startup.

2 mins

Neither A Halwa, Nor A Biryani

In his parliament speech on Budget 2024, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had taunted the government by showing a picture of the finance minister and her mostly upper-caste officers participating in the ritualistic 'budget halwa ceremony' and asked metaphorically why India's budget halwa was not being shared proportionately with the oppressed sections.

3 mins

GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION ON RIGHT COURSE

INDIA'S 2025 Union Budget marks a transformative moment in the nation's journey toward clean energy, unveiling a comprehensive vision that blends nuclear power ambitions, manufacturing prowess, and sustainable development.

1 min

Insurance, ID cards for gig workers

THE rapid growth of ecommerce companies, especially quick commerce, have increased the overall gig worker demand. In a significant step, the budget has extended healthcare benefits for gig workers.

1 min

Budget a force multiplier: Modi

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed his third-term government's first general Budget as a \"people's budget\" and a \"force multiplier\" aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of 140 crore Indians.

1 min

Insurance, ID cards for gig workers

THE rapid growth of ecommerce companies, especially quick commerce, have increased the overall gig worker demand.

1 min

Budget a force multiplier: Modi

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed his third-term government's first general Budget as a \"people's budget\" and a \"force multiplier\", aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of 140 crore Indians.

1 min

Healing touch to cancer care, med infra push

1.1L UG and PG medical education seats in 10 yrs

2 mins

PM Dhan-Dhaanya Scheme for 'First Engine of Growth'

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman positioned agriculture as \"the first engine of growth\" in the Union Budget for 2025-26, announcing flagship schemes, including Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, to be implemented in partnership with state governments to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.

1 min

Politically motivated: Oppn tears into govt

GROWTH FACTOR

1 min

ECONOMY TO GET FILLIP WITH TAX CUT

FOR a middle-class that is struggling with tight cash flows and higher taxes, the finance minister has come with a bunch of measures that put more money into their pockets.

2 mins

FDI IN INSURANCE SECTOR INCREASED FROM 74% TO 100%

IN a move that could attract greater capital inflows into the insurance sector, the government has increased the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit for the insurance sector from 74% to 100%. Though the industry welcomes the move, it also raises concerns about regulatory complexities.

1 min

₹20K cr for rooftop solar installations

FINANCE minister Nirmala Sitharaman has allocated a substantial budget for various key schemes in the Union Budget 2025 across different sectors.

1 min

Listened to people's voices: FM

FINANCE minister Nirmala Sitharaman on hiking income tax exemption limit on Saturday said, \"we've listened to the voice of the people because we are a responsible government\".

2 mins

Listened to people's voices: FM

FINANCE minister Nirmala Sitharaman on hiking income tax exemption limit on Saturday said, \"we've listened to the voice of the people because we are a responsible government\".

2 mins

No cheer in stock mkts amid flat capex growth

Mix of consumption push, low capex growth

2 mins

Fiscal deficit target cut to 4.4% for FY26

THE budget has pegged fiscal deficit, which is the quantum of government borrowings, for the next fiscal at 4.4% and the same for the current fiscal retained at 4.8%.

1 min

Crypto transaction details must

VIRTUAL digital assets (VDAs) such as crypto will be included in defining undisclosed income. This means transaction details should be furnished mandatorily.

3 mins

All Set To Boost Household Sentiments

The last budget laid out a framework for a $5 trillion economy by 2024-25, and Budget 2026 builds on this with great acumen.

2 mins

Clarification on Ulips cap gain tax

LTCG

1 min

Exemptions for Life-Saving Drugs, Critical Minerals

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a series of exemptions and revisions to Basic Customs Duty (BCD) across various sectors.

1 min

TDS, TCS rates rationalised, new norms mooted

IN a significant step to simplify the tax regime and also to reduce compliance burden, the government has announced to reduce the number of TDS (tax deducted at source) rates. Also, the threshold amount for tax deduction will be increased.

2 mins

Tax benefits for NPS Vatsalya subscribers

FINANCE minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that NPS Vatsalya subscribers will receive the same tax benefits under Section 80CCD(1B) as regular NPS subscribers for their contribution, provided they opt in to remain under old income tax regime and not in the new regime, which does not allow any deductions but offers a higher tax-free income level.

1 min

Tax cut to increase consumption

CONSUMER-facing businesses—ranging from everyday consumables to big-ticket items like automobiles—are optimistic that the government's decision to cut personal income tax will lead to higher disposable income, ultimately driving demand.

1 min

₹10K cr fund will give fillip to startup eco

NEXT GEN

1 min

UDAN scheme to connect 120 new destinations

Transformative shift

2 mins

Investment, Turnover Limit for MSMEs Up

SMALL INDUSTRIES

1 min

Allocation Stands at ₹574 Cr, Census & NPR Unlikely to Begin in '25

A meagre allocation of ₹574.80 crore under the Union budget for Census, Survey and Registrar General India indicated that the delayed decadal head count exercise in the country may not be carried out this year too.

1 min

Living Texts of New Voices, Lingering Memories and Old Wounds at Lit Fest

A narrative from Kashmir to Los Angeles

2 mins

Def gets ₹6.8L cr, enhanced by ₹59.6 cr

Seven public enterprises, corporatised from Ordnance Factory Board, allocated a total of ₹1,494 crore this fiscal

1 min

Truck with 150 gas cylinders catches fire in UP

A massive fire broke out in a truck loaded with around 150 gas cylinders leading to a series of blasts for about half an hour in UP's Ghaziabad district on Saturday.

1 min

Dhami Likely to Rejig Cabinet After Civic Body Polls in Uttarakhand

DESPITE winning 10 out of 11 mayoral positions in Uttarakhand's municipal corporations, the BJP is facing growing concerns over its weak performance in key ministerial and legislative areas.

1 min

8 Naxals gunned down in C'garh's Bijapur encounter

EIGHT cadres of the banned outfit CPI (Maoist) were killed in an intense gun battle with the security forces in the Bijapur district, about 400 km south of Raipur, on Saturday.

1 min

On fast track: Fillip to infra, 200 new Vande Bharat trains

THE Union Budget for 2025-26 on Saturday made significant provisions for the rail sector, with the government planning to introduce 200 new Vande Bharat trains, including both sleeper and chair versions, along with 100 Amrit Bharat and 50 Namo Bharat train sets, besides numerous projects and infrastructure development.

1 min

Look Northeast: Assam to get urea plant, CMs of seven states elated

THE Chief Ministers of the states in the Northeast and industry bodies hailed the Union Budget, 2023.

1 min

Won't accept Gaza residents: Arab nations

Reject Trump's plan to re-locate residents of war-torn territory to Egyp and Jordan

2 mins

3 Israelis, 183 Palestinian prisoners freed in fourth swap after truce

HAMAS militants freed three male hostages held for more than a year in the Gaza Strip on Saturday and Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in the fourth such exchange of a ceasefire deal that has halted 15 months of intense fighting.

1 min

6 Dead in Second US Plane Crash in as Many Days

A medical transport jet with a child patient, her mother and four others aboard crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood shortly after takeoff on Friday evening, exploding in a fireball that engulfed several homes.

1 min

Italy forced to take back 43 migrants as court blocks their expulsion

AN Italian navy ship on Saturday took migrants to Italy from asylum processing centres in Albania following a court decision in Rome.

1 min

18 Pakistani soldiers killed during clashes with terrorists

AT least 18 security personnel and 23 terrorists were killed during clashes between the two sides in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province.

1 min

Dems to elect new leader as they seek to revive party

DEMOCRATS, desperately seeking a new message and messengers to push back against the Trump administration, will elect a new leader Saturday in a low-profile Democratic National Committee election that could have big implications for the party's future.

1 min

Budget boost but time for ministry to take new approach to Khelo India

IT was far from a great campaign for Indian sports last year. From the Paris Olympics, where India could not match Tokyo 2020 in terms of medal, to feuding Indian Olympic Association, infighting in few National Sports Federations (NSFs) and ambiguity over their recognition by the sports ministry, it had not been that great.

2 mins

No second outing for Kohli as Delhi win

OFF-SPINNER Shivam Sharma grabbed five wickets as Delhi ended their Ranji Trophy league campaign on a high, sealing a bonus point win over Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Saturday.

2 mins

Ramkumar and Mukund put India in command

INDIA made a strong start to their Davis Cup 2025 campaign on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead over Togo on the opening day of the World Group I Playoffs at the DLTA Complex.

1 min

Punjab's Arjun and Ojasvi take spotlight

Punjab's Arjun Babuta & Ojasvi Thakur won the 10 air rifle mixed team gold

1 min

Lifetime achievement award for Sachin

FORMER India captain and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was honoured with the Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI annual awards in Mumbai on Saturday.

1 min

Wood hits hat-trick as Forest hammer Brighton 7-0

CHRIS Wood netted a hat-trick as Nottingham Forest thrashed Brighton 7-0 to reignite their charge towards next season's Champions League at the City Ground on Saturday.

1 min

A Fair to Remember

From Pakistani-American sculptor Huma Bhabha to Polish queer artist Liactuallee, IAF director Jaya Asokan picks her favourites

3 mins

Between Nature and Humanity

The fearlessness that reflects in artist GR Iranna's experimental mediums creates a deep aesthetic which elevates the canvas into a third dimension

2 mins

Wake Up to the Importance of AI in Education

For a couple of years or so the brouhaha about AI has been on us. The one worry that consistently nags me is the lack of readiness in terms of expertise and acceptance in terms of use of AI in education in my country.

2 mins

The Secret Sauce to Lasting Friendships

In the first week of January, I received an Lunexpected phone call from a cherished family friend, someone I hadn't met in 17 long years.

2 mins

Increasing Man-animal Conflict is a Sign of Disasters Waiting to Happen

I am writing this from my farm in Wayanad as the villages around me are in the grip of terror of wildlife incursions.

4 mins

Eating with Eyes Wide Shut

Find yourself gaining weight and feeling excessively full in the mornings for no explicable reason? You may be suffering from sleep-related eating disorder.

2 mins

Eating with Eyes Wide Shut

Find yourself gaining weight and feeling excessively full in the mornings for no explicable reason? You may be suffering from sleep-related eating disorder

2 mins

A Heady Mix of Ambition and Academia

The narrative explores the venerable institution and walks the precipice between aspiration and necessity

2 mins

Battles, Imagination and a Little History

The Cholas held power over a large geography, spanning the Lakshadweep in the west to Malaysia in the east

3 mins

Brothers in Arms

While cinematographer Ranabir Das trained his lens on All We Imagine as Light, brother Dhritiman scored the perfect music for the Golden Globe-nominated film

2 mins

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