While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a complete shutdown across the country to contain Covid-19, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman offered businesses regulatory relief. Experts welcome the moves but seek more clarity on measures
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman; Image: Sanjeev Verma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images​
Indian corporates and small business houses, reeling under the impact of the deadly coronavirus, have got some relief in the form of extensions in the filing of their regulatory compliances.
India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced these measures on Tuesday, which are now being seen as a precursor to a massive economic stimulus, which the economy and businesses urgently require to stay afloat. Sitharaman—and possibly even the Reserve Bank of India—are expected to announce measures to improve liquidity in the system and stimulus for key sectors that have been the hardest hit.
On Tuesday, some of the measures Sitharaman announced included an extension to file income tax returns for the fiscal year 2018-19, to June 30, 2020. Further, for companies with turnover over Rs 5 crore, there will be no late fees, penalties and interest on deferred payment.
The deadline for the filing of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns (GSTR-3B+) for March, April and May has been extended to June 30. For delayed payments, interest rates have been reduced to half—9 percent—under both income tax and GST.
Sitharaman also said no fee will be levied for not having minimum balance in savings accounts; debit card holders can withdraw cash from any bank ATM and bank charges will be reduced for digital transactions for trade and finance consumers.