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New Delhi : Union Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on May 13, 2020, announcd measures for relief and credit support related to businesses, especially MSMEs ,to support Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19. Sitharaman while addressing a presser on May 13 announced a Rs 3 lakh crore Emergency Working Capital Facility for Businesses, including MSMEs. There will be no global tenders for Government tenders of up to Rs 200 crore, the FM announced.
Rs 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs : Provision made for Rs 20,000 crore subordinate debt for two lakh MSMEs which are NPA or stressed. 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 lakh.
The Government will also 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 crore.
The FM also announced that EPF contribution will be reduced for Employers and Employees for 3 months to 10% from 12% for all establishments covered by EPFO for next 3 months. In a relief to Real Estate Projects, the FM announced that the registration and completion date for all registered projects will be extended up to six months.
PM Narendra Modi had on May 12, 2020, announced a Special economic and comprehensive package of Rs 20 lakh crores, equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP, and gave a clarion call for आत्मनिर्भर भारत अभियान or Self-Reliant India Movement. He also outlined five pillars of Aatmanirbhar Bharat – Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography, and Demand.
Sitharaman while addressing the presser said that PM Narendra Modi had laid out a comprehensive vision in his address to the Nation on May 12, 2020. She said that after spending considerable time, the Prime Minister has himself ensured that inputs obtained from widespread consultation form a part of economic package in 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,” she said. Citing the pillars on which we seek to build Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, Sitharaman said the 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,” Sitharaman said. She further said that we are going to build on this package. Sitharaman on May 13, 2020, announced measures focused on Getting back to work i.e., enabling employees and employers, businesses, especially Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, to get back to production and workers back to gainful employment.
Efforts to strengthen Non-Banking Finance Institutions (NBFCs), Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), Micro Finance Sector and Power Sector were also unfolded. Other than this, the tax relief to business, relief from contractual commitments to contractors in public procurement and compliance relief to real estate sector were also covered.
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 October 31,2020. The date for making payment without additional amount under the “Vivad Se Vishwas” scheme will be extended to December 31, 2020, according to a PIB release.