Parliament has passed the Finance Bill 2019 and Appropriation Bill 2019 with the Rajya Sabha returning them to the Lower House. 

The Lok Sabha has already passed the bills. The Finance bill gives effect to the financial proposals of the Central Government for the financial year 2019-20. While the Appropriation Bill seeks to authorise payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of the financial year 2919-20. 

Replying to the debate on the bills in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government brought changes related to the taxation with an aim for building new India where there is transparency, less government and more governance. 

Ms Sitharaman justified raising cess on petrol and diesel by two rupees per litre each saying inflation is at rock bottom and the government has maintained inflation at the lowest level for last five years so the move would not add any significant burden on prices. 

She said, the government has also come out in support of farmers with various measures including providing  6000 rupees to them annually under PM -KISAN. She said, the government has brought down the corporate tax from 30 per cent to 25 per cent as it had decided in 2014 and over ninety per cent of the companies have come under this tax rate. 

She said, under direct taxation, there are seven acts to which amendments have been made in the Finance Bill which are largely for ease of living and making sure that equity in redistribution takes place. 

On the issue of increase on the basic customs duty on newsprint, the Finance Minister said, it has been done to provide a level playing field to the domestic manufacturers and there is capacity in India to produce newsprint which needs to be utilized. 

She said, the government has not reduced the financial assistance to States under central sponsored schemes despite the increase in devolution funds to states from 32 per cent to 42 per cent. On direct taxation code, the Minister said, the task force has completed its work and they will submit the reports by the end of this month.  

Members from other political parties including BJP, BJD and TRS participated in the discussion. #casansaar (Source - NewsOnAir)