Don’t block chances of historic growth: Jaitley to oppn
18 March 2015 11:18 PM GMT
With a number of key reforms bills stuck, government on Tuesday appealed to the opposition not to play “obstructionist” as the country has the “historic opportunity” to grow and the GDP is expected to go beyond 8 per cent next year, overtaking China.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also rejected the charge that the government is pro-rich as it had proposed reduction of corporate tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent and sought to take the battle to the Congress camp, saying he had borrowed the idea from Direct Taxes Code prepared by UPA’s Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
He strongly justified the government’s quest for opening more sectors for foreign investment, saying more and more funds are required to create jobs, develop infrastructure and undertake social welfare programmes.
In a veiled message to RBI, Jaitley also made a case for reduction in interest rates, warning that the growth will otherwise suffer.
He was replying to a debate in Lok Sabha on Appropriation Bill which was later passed by a voice vote, thus completing the first phase of the budgetary exercise in the lower House.
“This is a historic opportunity where India has real chance of growing. The world also sees India as a bright spot. We must use this opportunity,” the Finance Minister said, adding “I appeal with folded hands... let politics of obstructionsim not go to next stage.” While talking about the “historic opportunity”, he said, “Do we go on this course. How can I obstruct this growth?
He said the global economy situation suits India as Brazil faces challenge, Europe has slowed down and China’s 7 per cent is new normal. “IMF says India will overtake China,” he added.
Jaitley’s comments assume significance as some key economic reforms legislations like Land Acquisition Bill, Coal Bill and Mines and Minerals Bills are stuck in Rajya Sabha.
Jaitley defended the move to reduce corporate tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent over four years, saying it was necessary to create a competitive climate so that investors are encouraged to pump in funds.
The effective tax rate is 23 per cent globally, 21.9 per cent in ASEAN nations and 19.66 per cent in Europe, the Finance Minister said and asked “Who will invest in India if tax is 30 per cent.”
Targeting Congress for its attack over the proposal to reduce taxes for corporates, he said, “I must confess this was not my original idea. I borrowed it from UPA.”
He said the proposal was first made in the DTC by then Finance Minister P Chidambaram. “I said it is good idea because in rest of world, it 21 per cent...But when I bring it, Congress says it is pro-corporate.”
Although the tax rate was 30 per cent, the actual realisation worked out to be only 23 per cent because of certain concessions provided to the corporates over the years, Jaitley said.
FDI doubles to $4.48 bn, highest in 29 mths
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India more than doubled to $4.48 billion in January, the highest inflow in last 29 months.
In January 2014, the country had received $2.18 billion in FDI. It was in September 2012 that India had attracted FDI that was worth $4.67 billion.
During the April-January period of the current fiscal, the foreign inflows have grown by 36 per cent, year-on-year, to $25.52 billion, according to data from Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
The inflows were at $18.74 billion during the same period a year ago.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also rejected the charge that the government is pro-rich as it had proposed reduction of corporate tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent and sought to take the battle to the Congress camp, saying he had borrowed the idea from Direct Taxes Code prepared by UPA’s Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
He strongly justified the government’s quest for opening more sectors for foreign investment, saying more and more funds are required to create jobs, develop infrastructure and undertake social welfare programmes.
In a veiled message to RBI, Jaitley also made a case for reduction in interest rates, warning that the growth will otherwise suffer.
He was replying to a debate in Lok Sabha on Appropriation Bill which was later passed by a voice vote, thus completing the first phase of the budgetary exercise in the lower House.
“This is a historic opportunity where India has real chance of growing. The world also sees India as a bright spot. We must use this opportunity,” the Finance Minister said, adding “I appeal with folded hands... let politics of obstructionsim not go to next stage.” While talking about the “historic opportunity”, he said, “Do we go on this course. How can I obstruct this growth?
He said the global economy situation suits India as Brazil faces challenge, Europe has slowed down and China’s 7 per cent is new normal. “IMF says India will overtake China,” he added.
Jaitley’s comments assume significance as some key economic reforms legislations like Land Acquisition Bill, Coal Bill and Mines and Minerals Bills are stuck in Rajya Sabha.
Jaitley defended the move to reduce corporate tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent over four years, saying it was necessary to create a competitive climate so that investors are encouraged to pump in funds.
The effective tax rate is 23 per cent globally, 21.9 per cent in ASEAN nations and 19.66 per cent in Europe, the Finance Minister said and asked “Who will invest in India if tax is 30 per cent.”
Targeting Congress for its attack over the proposal to reduce taxes for corporates, he said, “I must confess this was not my original idea. I borrowed it from UPA.”
He said the proposal was first made in the DTC by then Finance Minister P Chidambaram. “I said it is good idea because in rest of world, it 21 per cent...But when I bring it, Congress says it is pro-corporate.”
Although the tax rate was 30 per cent, the actual realisation worked out to be only 23 per cent because of certain concessions provided to the corporates over the years, Jaitley said.
FDI doubles to $4.48 bn, highest in 29 mths
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India more than doubled to $4.48 billion in January, the highest inflow in last 29 months.
In January 2014, the country had received $2.18 billion in FDI. It was in September 2012 that India had attracted FDI that was worth $4.67 billion.
During the April-January period of the current fiscal, the foreign inflows have grown by 36 per cent, year-on-year, to $25.52 billion, according to data from Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
The inflows were at $18.74 billion during the same period a year ago.
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