HIGHLIGHTS

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 1.30 PM NATION: DEL47 BUD-TAX Nil tax for individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually under new regime: FM New Delhi: Individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually will not have to pay any income tax under the new tax regime as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday gave relief to middle class by raising exemption limit and rejigging slabs.

DEL39 BUD-INCOME TAX Govt to introduce new I-T bill in Parl next week; to raise insurance FDI to 100 pc New Delhi: The government will introduce a new Income Tax bill next week to take forward the "trust first, scrutinise later" concept, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday.

PAR2 BUD-HISTORY Nirmala Sitharaman creates history with 8th consecutive budget New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday made history as she presented a record eighth consecutive budget, which comes in the backdrop of slowdown in economy and demand for tax cuts for middle class.

DEL15 BUD-LD REFORMS Budget aims to initiate 'transformative reforms' across six domains: FM New Delhi: The government aims to initiate "transformative reforms" across six domains, including taxation and financial sector, in Union Budget 2025-26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. PAR137 LS-OPPN-WALKOUT Oppn stages brief walkout during FM's Budget speech, demands govt statement on Kumbh stampede New Delhi: Opposition MPs on Saturday staged a brief walkout from the Lok Sabha during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech, demanding a statement from the government on the Kumbh stampede.

DEL35 BUD-LD NUCLEAR OUTLAY FM announces Rs 20k cr nuclear mission; proposes amendments in law to rope in pvt players New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a slew of steps to boost atomic power in the country with a Rs 20,000-crore Nuclear mission, roping in private players by amending legal framework and development of five small modular reactors indigenously.

DEL33 BUD-FISCAL DEFICIT Fiscal deficit for FY25 at 4.8 pc of GDP; 4.4 pc for FY26: FM New Delhi: The fiscal deficit for FY25 has been pegged at 4.8 per cent of GDP and at 4.4 per cent for FY26, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday.

DEL55 BUD-LD-INVESTMENT TREATY Govt to revamp model bilateral investment treaty to make it investor-friendly New Delhi: The government on Saturday announced a revamp of the current model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to make it more investor-friendly and attract foreign players.

DEL53 NAVIN CHAWLA-2NDLD DEAD Former chief election commissioner Navin Chawla passes away at 79 New Delhi: Former chief election commissioner (CEC) Navin Chawla, whose tenure in the poll panel was mired in controversy over allegations of bias, passed away on Saturday. He was 79.

DEL49 BUD-CUSTOMS-MINERALS FM removes import duties on 25 critical minerals, 36 drugs for rare diseases New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the removal of import duties on 12 critical minerals, lithium-ion batteries scrap, cobalt products, LED, zinc and 36 drugs for cancer and rare diseases.

PAR116 BUD-HEALTH Govt to set up daycare cancer centres in all district hospitals over next 3 years: Sitharaman New Delhi: The government will facilitate setting up of daycare cancer centres in all district hospitals over the next three years and 200 of these will be established in 2025-26, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Saturday.

DEL51 BUD-EV BATTERY Sitharaman proposes to cut duty on capital goods used in lithium-ion battery production New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday proposed to extend duty exemptions on capital goods used in the production of lithium-ion batteries.

PAR131 BUD-EDUCATION Govt to create additional infra in five IITs set up after 2014, expand IIT Patna: Sitharaman New Delhi: The government will create additional infrastructure in five Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and expand IIT Patna, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Saturday.

DEL46 BUD-LD UDAN Govt announces modified UDAN scheme; to connect 120 new destinations New Delhi: To boost regional connectivity, the government on Saturday announced a modified UDAN scheme to connect 120 new destinations that will help carry 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years.

DEL26 BUD-FARMERS-CONG FM starts with agriculture but completely silent on farmers' demands: Congress New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday attacked the Union government over its announcements in the Budget pertaining to the agriculture sector, saying Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was "completely silent" on the demands of farmers, including MSP as a legal guarantee and farm loan waiver.

DEL45 BUD-CONG-BIHAR Bihar appears to have got bonanza, why Andhra Pradesh so cruelly ignored: Cong on Budget New Delhi: Taking a swipe at the Modi government over its budget announcements, the Congress on Saturday said Bihar appears to have got a bonanza and asked why the other pillar of the NDA, Andhra Pradesh, has been so "cruelly ignored".

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Source: PTI