15-point plan to boost Indian economy: What Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced for MSMEs, tax payers and others

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday (May 13) announced about Rs 6 lakh crore package, including Rs 3 lakh crore of collateral-free loans for small businesses and a Rs 30,000 crore lifeline to non-bank and housing finance companies (NBFCs) as part of measures to help the economy tide over disruptions caused by the coronavirus lockdown.

In her opening remarks, the Finance Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid out a comprehensive vision in his address to the nation yesterday. She said that after spending considerable time, the Prime Minister has himself ensured that inputs obtained from widespread consultation form a part of an economic package in the fight against COVID-19.

“Essentially, the goal is to build a self-reliant India that is why the Economic Package is called Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. Citing the pillars on which we seek to build Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, FM Sitharaman said that our focus would be on land, labour, liquidity and law."

“Soon after Budget 2020 came COVID-19 and within hours of the announcement of lockdown 1.0, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY) was announced,” she said, adding "we are going to build on this package."

The Finance Minister unveiled the Prime Minister’s vision for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat:

1. Rs 3 lakh crore Emergency Working Capital Facility for Businesses, including MSMEs

To provide relief to the business, additional working capital finance of 20% of the outstanding credit as on 29 February 2020, in the form of a Term Loan at a concessional rate of interest will be provided. This will be available to units with up to Rs 25 crore outstanding and turnover of up to Rs 100 crore whose accounts are standard. The units will not have to provide any guarantee or collateral of their own. The amount will be 100% guaranteed by the Government of India providing total liquidity of Rs. 3.0 lakh crores to more than 45 lakh MSMEs.

2. Rs 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs

Provision made for Rs 20,000 cr subordinate debt for two lakh MSMEs which are NPA or are stressed. The government will support them with Rs 4,000 crore to Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE). Banks are expected to provide the subordinate-debt to promoters of such MSMEs equal to 15% of his existing stake in the unit subject to a maximum of Rs 75 lakhs.

3. Rs 50,000 crores equity infusion through MSME Fund of Funds

The government will set up a Fund of Funds with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore that will provide equity funding support for MSMEs. The Fund of Funds shall be operated through a Mother and a few Daughter funds. It is expected that with leverage of 1:4 at the level of daughter funds, the Fund of Funds will be able to mobilise equity of about Rs 50,000 crores.

4. New definition of MSME

Definition of MSME will be revised by raising the Investment limit. An additional criterion of turnover also being introduced. The distinction between manufacturing and service sector will also be eliminated.

5. Other Measures for MSME

e-market linkage for MSMEs will be promoted to act as a replacement for trade fairs and exhibitions. MSME receivables from Government and CPSEs will be released in 45 days

6. No Global tenders for govt tenders of up to Rs 200 crore

General Financial Rules (GFR) of the Government will be amended to disallow global tender enquiries in the procurement of Goods and Services of the value of less than Rs 200 crores

7. EPF support for business and organised workers

The scheme introduced as part of PMGKP under which Government of India contributes 12% of salary each on behalf of both employer and employee to EPF will be extended by another 3 months for salary months of June, July and August 2020. Total benefits accrued is about Rs 2500 crores to 72.22 lakh employees.

8. EPF contribution to be reduced for employers, employees for 3 months

Statutory PF contribution of both employer and employee reduced to 10% each from the existing 12% each for all establishments covered by EPFO for the next 3 months. This will provide liquidity of about Rs 2250 Crore per month.

9. Rs 30,000 crores Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFC/HFC/MFIs

The government will launch Rs 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme, liquidity is provided by RBI. The investment will be made in primary and secondary market transactions in investment-grade debt paper of NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs. This will be 100 percent guaranteed by the Government of India.

10. Rs 45,000 crore Partial credit guarantee Scheme 2.0 for Liabilities of NBFCs/MFIs

Existing Partial Credit Guarantee scheme is being revamped and now will be extended to cover the borrowings of lower-rated NBFCs, HFCs and other Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). Government of India will provide 20 percent first loss sovereign guarantee to Public Sector Banks.

11. Rs 90,000 crore Liquidity Injection for DISCOMs

Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation will infuse liquidity in the DISCOMS to the extent of Rs 90000 crores in two equal instalments. This amount will be used by DISCOMS to pay their dues to Transmission and Generation companies. Further, CPSE GENCOs will give a rebate to DISCOMS on the condition that the same is passed on to the final consumers as a relief towards their fixed charges.

12. Relief to contractors

All central agencies like Railways, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and CPWD will give an extension of up to 6 months for completion of contractual obligations, including in respect of EPC and concession agreements

13. Relief to Real Estate projects

State governments are being advised to invoke the Force Majeure clause under RERA. The registration and completion date for all registered projects will be extended up to 6 months and may be further extended by another 3 months based on the State’s situation. Various statutory compliances under RERA will also be extended concurrently.

14. Tax relief to business

The pending income tax refunds to charitable trusts and non-corporate businesses and professions including proprietorship, partnership and LLPs and cooperatives shall be issued immediately.

15. Tax-related measures

A- Reduction in Rates of ‘Tax Deduction at Source’ and ‘Tax Collected at Source” - The TDS rates for all non-salaried payment to residents, and tax collected at source rate will be reduced by 25 percent of the specified rates for the remaining period of FY 20-21. This will provide liquidity to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore.

B- The due date of all Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2020-21 will be extended to November 30, 2020.  Similarly, tax audit due date will be extended to 31 October 2020.

C- The date for making payment without additional amount under the “Vivad Se Vishwas” scheme will be extended to December 31, 2020.
 
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the announcements made by the Finance Minister for the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan economic package worth Rs 20 lakh crore and said that the measures will go a long way for businesses and MSMEs.

PM Modi tweeted, “Today’s announcements by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will go a long way in addressing issues faced by businesses, especially MSMEs. The steps announced will boost liquidity, empower the entrepreneurs and strengthen their competitive spirit.” 

Today’s announcements by FM @nsitharaman will go a long way in addressing issues faced by businesses, especially MSMEs. The steps announced will boost liquidity, empower the entrepreneurs and strengthen their competitive spirit. #AatmaNirbharBharatAbhiyan — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2020

The Finance Minister's announcements came a day after Prime Minister Modi introduced massive financial incentives on top of the previously announced packages for a combined stimulus of Rs 20 lakh crore. 

Click here for the detail PPT presentation made by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.