Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
Let's look at the announcements FM Nirmala Sitharaman made yesterday, and see if the economy will get any relief in this time of slowdown because of the unprecedented conditions.
Let’s look at the announcements FM Nirmala Sitharaman made yesterday, and see if the economy will get any relief in this time of slowdown because of the unprecedented conditions.
As the country goes into complete lockdown to battle the exponential spread of deadly Corona virus, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced today a slew of economic measures to provide some relief to the industry as well as common people.
I have quickly listed the gist of the measures themselves first, followed by a short discussion on how these may help – so please read through to the bottom.
Here are some of the important announcements:-
Those who have not filed their income tax returns for the last financial year i.e. 2018-19 can now do so till June 30, 2020. Earlier this deadline was March 31, 2010. The penalty on delayed filing would now be 9% instead of 12%.
For delayed filing of TDS the interest rate is reduced to 9% from 18%.
Aadhar and PAN linking deadline is extended to June 30 from March 31.
Last date for Vivad Se Vishwas scheme also extended to June 30. Additional amount of 10% will no longer be required to be paid. The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill 2020 was tabled on February 5 in the parliament and its key objective is to collect taxes and minimise litigation. It offers a complete waiver on interest and penalty to the taxpayers who pay their disputed taxes on or before March 31, 2020.
All compliances under Income Tax Act, Wealth Tax Act, Benami Transaction Act, Black Money Act, Vivaad se Vishwaas, have been extended to June 30, 2020
All ATM withdrawals for the next three months will be free of charges, irrespective of the bank. This will help reduce avoidable crowding at bank branches and ease urgent withdrawals.
Minimum balance requirements waived off. State Bank of India has already done away with penalties for not maintaining a minimum balance in bank accounts.
GST return deadline for March, April, May extended to June 30.
Companies with turnover up to Rs 5 crore will not have to pay interest, penalty or late fee for filing delayed returns. Those with turnover above 5 crores will, however, be required to pay interest at 9%.
Mandatory requirement of holding a Board meeting is put off by sixty days for the next two quarters.
A moratorium is being issued regarding the MCA21 registry from April 1 till Sep 30. No additional fees will be levied for late filing.
Threshold for default under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) raised by ten times to to Rs 1 crore. Currently, the threshold of triggering insolvency cases stands at Rs 1 lakh.
Sec 7, 9, 10 of the IBC will be suspended for a period of six months if this situation continues beyond April.
Deadline for Sabka Vishwaas scheme for indirect taxes has been extended to June 30,2020. No interest will be levied.
Customs clearance, till June 30, will be done 24/7.
General economy
These measures may seem irrelevant and unrequired at the moment given that life will be mostly at a standstill during these 21 days of absolute lockdown (except essential services which will continue to be functional).
But normal life will exist even after the severity of the pandemic slowly diminishes. We will still need money for the basic necessities and medicines, to pay our taxes and bills, rent and EMIs, for businesses to be run, and hence it is essential that the government takes adequate corrective measures at the right moment.
How women’s lives will be affected
It may also seem irrelevant to talk about how this pandemic is affecting women because after all this deadly virus doesn’t differentiate between genders but come to think of it, the impact of this total shutdown is greater on women.
Schools and offices are shut down for days now meaning that women are not only working FROM home but working more AT home too, sharing the larger part of household chores without any house helps.
Many women have micro businesses, some of which they run from home. Some of them are even sole earners supporting their families. Their work not only makes them financially independent but also raises their status within the family and society. But with restricted movement and limited purchasing power, their work will also suffer. Hence, it is a matter of concern how this pandemic and resultant loss of business and jobs, are going to impact women in the near future.
As the Finance Minister said in her address, an economic package was to be announced sooner than later, and it is hoped that the Task Force will announce more such relief measures soon to prevent the economy from crashing completely.
Let’s gear up ourselves to collectively fight out the evil virus. As the PM exhorted in his speech, let’s do our part by staying indoors, staying safe. Let’s stay positive even in these trying times and spread only positive vibes.
Stay home and stay safe, folks.
Curious about anything and everything. Proud to be born a woman. Spiritual, not religious. Blogger, author, poet, educator, counselor. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
Love cannot be imposed Stalkers speak of love, which in a few minutes turns deadly when they are rejected by the woman.
Trigger Warning: This speaks of stalking, violence against women, and murder by a stalker, and may be triggering to survivors.
Justice prevailed after 6 long years.
A ‘NO’ once said or said over a thousand times holds only the same meaning when uttered by a woman.
Please enter your email address