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Frustrated Pakistani Army now wants Shah Rukh Khan to pay attention to them

Sanghamitra
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Frustrated Pakistani Army now wants Shah Rukh Khan to pay attention to them

Calling Pakistan a parody nation is fast becoming an insult to the word itself. Pakistan is where all logic, reasoning, common sense and human intelligence come to die. Parody needs some level of wit and sarcasm, but Pakistan is that abyss of lunacy that probably their own neurons keep blowing themselves up like their suicide bombers.

After crying themselves hoarse over India’s internal decisions regarding abrogation of Article 370 and reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan got zero attention and zero sympathies from the United Nations, the Muslim countries and their imaginary friends in the world, Pakistan, its army, its media and its political leaders have been internalising their frustration. But the frustration levels are so high, it keeps spilling out of their neuron-less brains into their social media rants and media statements.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, the official spokesperson of the Pakistani army who thinks it is his patriotic and religious duty to be a Twitter troll, has now directed his ranting towards Shah Rukh Khan and his upcoming Netflix series.

One would expect that an official spokesperson of an army, however sad and pathetic that army may be, should be focused on strategic affairs and crucial information, but Pakistan being the global anomaly zone when the rules of the universe get flipped into grotesque anomalies on their own, Ghafoora (as he is popularly known) has found it perfectly ok to beg for attention from a Bollywood star.


Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan had on August 22, shared the trailer of the upcoming Netflix series Bard of Blood, starring Imran Hashmi and Shobhita Dhulipala. The trailer shows a group of 3 Indian spies going on a secret mission to some undeveloped desert region where a band of terrorists are running wild.

For some inexplicable reason, Ghafoora took offence at a band of desert terrorists being shown as the bad guys. Whether that is an admission of guilt or some deep-rooted identity crisis in his psyche, it is not clear, but offended he has been. He has also asked Shah Rukh to “stay in Bollywood syndrome”, again for some unknown reason because Bollywood is exactly where Shah Rukh lives and works but then, it is Pakistan and it is Ghafoora, so let us cut poor Ghafoora some slack.

Then, Ghafoora asks Shah Rukh to see the reality in Kulbhushan Yadav, Abhinandan and 27 Feb. I became slightly surprised at the spark of honesty but then realised, Ghafoora was not admitting their failure, he genuinely, honestly believes that the incidents he has listed down somehow show Pakistan’s superiority. Let us discuss a bit:

  1. Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case has been taken to the ICJ where the ICJ ruled in favour of India, granted India consular access and halted the death sentence awarded to Jadhav by Pakistan’s shoddy military court. While Pakistan had grudgingly offered to grant India consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav after the ICJ order, the External Affairs Ministry had rejected it as it came with riders. Pakistan may delay the procedure, but any harm to Jadhav will now result in a global condemnation for Pakistan and as PM Modi has proven, will not go without ruthless punishment.
  2. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s capture and the images of locals beating him are used by Pakistanis as some kind of self-appreciation. But they forgot that their military HAD to keep him safe and unharmed. Pakistan had desperately hoped to use Abhnandan as a bargaining chip, even they had begged for bilateral dialogues to start by claiming that they would return him but India refused to budge. Abhinandan’s ramrod straight gait and sheer courage at the face adversity made him an instant star in India. And Pakistan had to escort him back to Wagha Attari border soon. If anything, the Abhinandan episode should put Pakistanis to shame, but then, they are a country that finds pride in selling donkeys to China, so, let’s not expect anything much.

The fact that WC Abhinandan had blown up a Pakistani F-16 from his vintage Mig-21 Bison will be the stuff of AirForce legend for decades to come, but Pakistan is, well, Pakistan.

3. 27 February witnessed a dogfight between Indian and Pakistani air force. While India lost a Mig-21 Bison and its Pilot had to parachute into hostile territory, Pakistan lost an F-16. While Abhinandan was celebrated, awarded and hailed in India as a hero, the unfortunate Pakistani pilot was not even named or remembered by the country he gave his life for. Pakistan never even bothered to own their dead fighter.

Yes, Pakistani jets did try to venture into India, but they were chased back. Unlike 26 Feb, when Indian fighter jets flew deep inside Pakistan and bombed a terrorist camp in Balakot, Pakistan could do nothing, all they achieved was global humiliation.

Reduced to the status of international beggars, Pakistan has in the last few weeks begged for attention from literally anyone, only to be ignored and shooed away. Facing insult after insult, they have now started to direct their frustration at Bollywood celebs. Their minister for Human Rights (yes, they have one, we were shocked to find out too) had begged the UNICEF to delist Priyanka Chopra as a UN Goodwill ambassador, now Ghafoora wants SRK to pay some attention to his whining. Ghafoora may next beg Kamal R Khan to mention him in one of his popular movie reviews.

Ghafoora is offended by desert terrorists being shown in Indian TV as bad guys. As a bold move against India, Ghafoora might as well motivate the Pakistani Army to make their own web series where desert terrorists will blow themselves up joyfully in their quest for 72 Pakistani women in Pakistani heaven.

Their news anchor Kiran Naz will make a spectacular female lead in that web series. Her passionate meltdowns are already very popular in India.


For all the behavioural anomalies and neurological malfunction, Pakistanis do seem to be consuming some potent narcotic. That is the only explanation for the blissful self-satisfaction displayed by its people at the face of utter ruin.

Despite restrictions, delegation of opposition leaders to go to Jammu & Kashmir

OpIndia Staff
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Despite restrictions, delegation of opposition leaders to go to Jammu & Kashmir

A delegation of opposition leaders including former Congress President Rahul Gandhi will visit Jammu and Kashmir to ‘verify’ government claims that things are normal in the valley following the abrogation of Article 370. Earlier this month, the government had fully integrated the state as part of India and bifurcated it into two union territories, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.

The opposition leaders are visiting the valley despite a request from the Jammu & Kashmir administration to not visit the valley as the security forces are busy trying to protect the people from terror attacks, cross border terrorism as well as attacks by militants and separatists.


The administration also said how there are restrictions in certain parts of the valley and the political leaders going there would violate these restrictions and they could add inconvenience to other people.


Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also part of the delegation going to Jammu & Kashmir, said “On one hand Govt says situation is normal, and on the other hand they don’t allow anyone to go.Never seen such contradictions. If things normal then why political leaders are under house arrest?”

NCP leader Majid Memon, who is also part of the delegation said that the opposition leaders’ motto is not to create disturbance in the valley. “We aren’t going in government’s opposition, we are going in government’s support, so that we too give suggestions as to what must be done,” he said.

The opposition leaders’ delegation consists of former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, KC Venugopal, CPM’s Sitaram Yechury, CPI’s D Raja, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, LJD’s Sharad Yadav, TMC’s Dinesh Trivedi, NCP’s Majid Memon, RJD’s Manoj Jha and JDS’ D K Reddy.

From ‘Modi doesn’t let us’ to ‘have faith in Centre’, U-turn Kejriwal is suddenly on reverse gear

OpIndia Staff
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From ‘Modi doesn’t let us’ to ‘have faith in Centre’, U-turn Kejriwal is suddenly on reverse gear

If there is someone who has learnt from Congress’ disastrous performance in the recently concluded 2019 general elections, it is Aam Aadmi Party. With state assembly elections just few months away, AAP has changed its tune and how!

First came Arvind Kejriwal’s support to abrogation of Article 370. The entire opposition, especially the left has been up in arms on Government’s decision to make Jammu & Kashmir an integral part of India without any riders. However, Arvind Kejriwal, supported the government’s decision.


This came as a huge surprise since following the abrogation of Article 370, the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, with J&K to have its own assembly, much like Delhi, but Centre still has a say in it, much like Delhi. Kejriwal also got a lot of flak for his support to government’s decision.

Then, last week when former Finance Minister P Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI and ED for his alleged involvement in INX Media Scam, Kejriwal has not uttered a word against the investigative agencies. He, unlike his peers in the opposition, has not termed the move a political vendetta. He has maintained silence. Prior to the elections, the CBI had raided Samajwadi Party leaders and various bureaucrats while investigating the illegal sand mining case. Kejriwal had then called it ‘shameless’.


Not a word on Chidambaram arrests from Kejriwal, yet.

And as if all that was not enough, in a shocking move, Kejriwal even extended support to the Centre and said that he has ‘absolute faith’ that the central government will take strict measures to revive the economy.


He even said that his Delhi government will even cooperate to overcome it. Well, elections are round the corner and if there is one learning from Congress’ performance it was perhaps that negative campaigning against PM Modi ends up working in his favour and leads to a humiliating defeat. AAP has only one MP in the Lok Sabha and it is quite unlikely that he AAP will get 66 out of 70 seats in Delhi assembly in the upcoming elections.

In the past, the Delhi Chief Minister has picked a bone quite a few times with the Delhi Lieutenant Governor. So, perhaps to save some seats and in a bid to perhaps crawl through the majority mark, Kejriwal seems to have cut down on the rhetorics and anti-Modi tirade. No wonder he has gone from ‘Modi doesn’t let us‘ to ‘we have faith in Modi’.

Parody country Pakistan’s ex-minister Rehman Malik exposes his low IQ, falls for a parody account who fools him like a pro

OpIndia Staff
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Parody country Pakistan’s ex-minister Rehman Malik exposes his low IQ, falls for a parody account who fools him like a pro

For all their machismo and psyops over Twitter, creating an atmosphere of being on war against India, Pakistani leaders seem to have a really tiny brain. It can be seen how this Twitter user flawlessly fooled him by tricking him into believing that he is on Pakistan’s side. Popular Twitter user @being_humor, and co-founder of satire website, The Fauxy, yesterday posted a few screenshots on Twitter.

Screenshot of Direct Messages between @being_humor and @senrehmanmalik (image: @being_humor)

In this image, it can be seen that in response to a tweet by Rehman Malik where he claimed that P. Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI and ED for ‘raising his voice against PM Modi’ against abrogation of Article 370. @being_humor sent Rehman Malik an image where he said that what Malik is saying about Chidambaram is correct. He even added that Chidambaram was being badly beaten up by the CBI in custody. He even shared an image with it. Rehman Malik then asked @being_humor for a verifiable proof and even promised anonymity for the same.

Screenshot of Direct Messages between @being_humor and @senrehmanmalik (image: @being_humor)

More curious, he asked whether it is the CBI office and who is this man being beaten up. @being_humor replied that it is indeed Chidambaram being beaten up in CBI office. He even requested anonymity to appear genuine.

Screenshot of Direct Messages between @being_humor and @senrehmanmalik (image: @being_humor)

Soon enough, Malik fell for it. He asked for more pictures where it is more clearly visible that Chidambaram is being beaten up in custody. He even asked if he could get WhatsApp number of any of his family members.

Screenshot of Direct Messages between @being_humor and @senrehmanmalik (image: @being_humor)

@being_humor then said that he does not have contact details of Chidambaram’s family but urged him to tweet the picture and if anyone knows the contact details, they would send him. He even added that Malik posting the above image may control the ‘atrocity by police’ against Chidambaram. Rehman Malik then added that he will share the image with the United Nations.


@being_humor then very cheekily tweeted how Rehman Malik follows him on Twitter and even tipped off the United Nations that should they receive any such image from Rehman Malik claiming atrocities by the police against P Chidambaram, they shouldn’t take it seriously because it is a scene from a movie.

Ever since India abolished Article 370 from its constitution, Pakistani politicians including Pakistan PM Imran Khan are having a hard time digesting the fact that India has decidedly altered the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir. As a result, most of them are suffering from an extended mental collapse that is evident on their social media pages. While Senator Rehman Malik’s Twitter meltdown in last two days has been amusing to say the least, the above exchange was just cherry on the cake.

Tirupati Bus tickets with Jerusalem, Hajj ads on them withdrawn, AP government orders probe into the matter

OpIndia Staff
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Tirupati Bus tickets with Jerusalem, Hajj ads on them withdrawn, AP government orders probe into the matter

Facing severe flak from the Hindu pilgrims for the advertisements of Jerusalem and Hajj pilgrimage on Tirupati Bus tickets, the administration has responded to the criticism by withdrawing the tickets on which Jerusalem and Hajj ads were printed.


The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) took cognisance of the sentiments of the people and promptly withdrew the tickets on which Hajj and Jerusalem ads were printed on the reverse side. In addition to this, the administration has also ordered an inquiry into the matter to collect more information and avoid future occurrence of such incidents.

A raging controversy erupted after bus tickets to Tirupati, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimages, were seen emblazoned with advertisements of Jerusalem and Hajj on them. Alleging that Jagan Mohan Reddy is a non-Hindu, the BJP leaders have accused him and his government of pushing his agenda for minority religions.


Andhra Pradesh endowments minister Vellampalli Srinivas issued a clarification these ticket bundles were printed before the elections, during the previous TDP government. He added these bundles were meant for Nellore and Kadapa and not for Tirumala-Tirupati. The minister has assured the issue is being taken with utmost seriousness and the guilty will be punished.

Srinagar District Magistrate rebuts The Wire report claiming shortage of life saving medicines in Kashmir

OpIndia Staff
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Srinagar District Magistrate rebuts The Wire report claiming shortage of life saving medicines in Kashmir

Leftist propaganda portal The Wire has been propagating lies and negativity in a bid to create fear among the people over the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Headed by an American citizen Siddharth Varadarajan, the portal acts as propaganda machinery peddling lies and demonizing the Modi government.

Ever since the government of India repealed draconian Article 370, which granted separate status to J&K, The Wire has been toeing Pakistan line by publishing agenda based stories to show the Central government’s decision in bad light. It has been caught lying and pushing its agenda with ferocious intensity.

Today once again, it published a story on Kashmir that suggested a shortage of life-saving drugs. In the article titled “Kashmir Running Short of Life Saving Drugs as Clampdown Continues,” it suggested that local drug shops have run short of supplies in Srinagar district.

The article talks about the depleting medicine stocks, how the pharmacists in the valley have not been able to restock their supplies from Jammu as airliners and transporters are refusing to lift consignments for Kashmir.

However, Shahid Choudhary, District Magistrate of Srinagar, quoted The Wire’s story and tweeted, “All concerns and worries are deeply appreciated but we were not low on medical stocks even for a single day. No interruption in supplies. Still open to help individual cases, if any.”


The DM had stressed that there was never any shortage of medicine in the state for even a day, and said that the administration is ready to help any individual case of difficulty in procuring medicines.

This one tweet from valley’s bureaucrat demolishes the lies of the propaganda portal, which leaves no opportunity to peddle it’s agenda of fear-mongering over the present situation in Kashmir.


Last week also, Shahid Choudhary had denied reports of wide-scale unavailability of medicines in Kashmir, informing that as many as 1166 medicine shops are open. He had informed that stocks were being replenished as demanded, and although some people were facing some difficulties, the administration was addressing every single problem brought to their notice.

Pakistan embarrassed as UK and Maldives acknowledge that Kashmir is an internal matter of India

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan embarrassed as UK and Maldives acknowledge that Kashmir is an internal matter of India

In a major embarrassment for Pakistan, which has been running from pillar to post to gather support against India’s decision to abrogate Article 370, the United Kingdom (UK) today categorically washed its hands off. The UK, issued a formal statement on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Kashmir move by China and Pakistan and denied lending support to call a special session or issue a formal public statement on the issue.

The UK refused to mediate between India and Pakistan, leaving Pakistan red faced.


Ever since Home Minister Amit Shah announced the bold decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019, Pakistan has been trying hard to sum up international support claiming India has suppressed the voice of Kashmiris in the state. Pakistan has been pushing its propaganda about Indian Army committing atrocities on the people of J&K, however to its misfortune, it is finding no takers except China.

Earlier today, both Pakistan and China were criticised at the United Nations meet on safety of religious minorities for suppressing religious freedom of minorities. The UK, the United States and Canada were highly concerned about the extensive restrictions imposed by these countries on religious minorities. The UN underlined the partisanship that China exercises on Uyghur Muslims and Pakistan imposes on Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis among others.

In fact, even Maldives has snubbed Pakistan over Kashmir stating that repealing Article 370 is an internal matter of India. This was conveyed to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Quereshi by his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid over a telephonic conversation.


Pakistan, in a bid to demolish India on global platforms, is now left alone to fend support on Kashmir. Its move to shame India by internationalising Kashmir issue has backfired massively as the global community stands firm in support of India over Kashmir and Article 370.

CBI sends Letters Rogatory to five counties seeking information on financial assets of P Chidambaram

OpIndia Staff
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CBI sends Letters Rogatory to five counties seeking information on financial assets of P Chidambaram

As the Central Bureau of Investigation continues the custodial investigation of P Chidambaram after a court had granted four days custody yesterday, the agency has now asked 5 foreign nations asking for information about funds parked in those countries by the Congress leader. According to reports, the CBI has sent Letters Rogatory to five different countries, where P Chidambaram and his son are accused of parking money using several shell companies.


The Letters Rogatory has been sent to UK, Switzerland, Bermuda, Singapore and Mauritius in connection with the INX Media case. Letter Rogatory means letters of request, which is used by countries to officially request for documents from a foreign country or foreign court.

According to the charges made against P Chidambaram by CBI and ED, he had granted illegal FIPB approval to six companies in return for kickbacks. And those kickback amounts were invested in movable and immovable properties in India and foreign countries. The agencies have identified several shell companies of Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, P Chidambaram’s son, formed both in India and outside India. The agencies have found that although the shell companies are registered under the names of different persons, the Chidambarams are actual beneficial owners of them.

A statement issued by CBI and ED had said that one such shell company is located at the British Virgin Islands and this company also features in Panama papers. The statement says that money parked in the shell companies have used for the personal expenditure of the Chidambaram family, opening more than 2 dozen foreign bank accounts and depositing money in them, purchasing several immovable properties in different countries like Malaysia, UK, Spain etc.

Shiv Sena chief condemns brawl over Veer Savarkar’s bust at DU, says ‘people who insult Savarkar should be beaten in public’

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena chief condemns brawl over Veer Savarkar’s bust at DU, says ‘people who insult Savarkar should be beaten in public’

The politics around the installation of Veer Savarkar’s bust in the Delhi University had reached a despicable low when the state chief of Congress’ students’ wing blackened the face of the great revolutionary and freedom fighter Swatantryaveer Savarkar and shamelessly put a garland of shoes around it. The incident had happened after busts of Veer Savarkar, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh had been put up at the North Campus of Delhi University on Tuesday.

Today, Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray has come out with a statement condemning the depraved act saying that those who do not believe in the ideology of Veer Savarkar should be ‘beaten’ in public. Thackeray said public thrashing of those insulting Savarkar, a revered figure in Maharashtra, will make them understand the value of freedom.

“Those who do not respect Savarkar should be once thrashed publicly, in chowks (square). Till then they will not realise who had toiled to what extent to attain freedom for the country,” Thackeray told reporters here.

“These people, who insulted Savarkar – whom Rahul Gandhi too had insulted – will not understand the value of freedom till then,” he added.

Unlike the Congress, who have on several occasions attempted to malign Veer Savarkar’s contributions to India’s freedom by branding him as a “loyal colonialist”, Shiv Sena has from the beginning been extremely sensitive and emotive towards Savarkar.

In fact, in 2004 when the then Petroleum Minister and Congress leader, Mani Shankar Aiyer has dared to insult the freedom fighter and the Congress government had removed plaques containing Savarkar’s statements from Andaman’s Cellular jail, the then Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray had laucnhed a ‘Joote maro Abhiyan’ (hitting with shoes campaign).

As a part of this protest, Shiv Sena members had used their shoes and slippers to attack Congress’ Mani Shankar’s effigy. Criticising the Congress leader, Bal Thackeray had then expressed melancholy over Aiyer’s ignorance over Savarkar’s contribution to the freedom struggle.

A Twitter user by the handle @iMac_too, took to Twitter to reminisce the same.


On Tuesday, a pillar with busts of Veer Savarkar, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh has been put up at the North Campus of Delhi University. The pillar was installed by the ABVP-led Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). ABVP is the RSS’ students’ wing.

The NSUI and the Left-backed All India Students’ Association had criticised the move, saying Savarkar cannot be kept on the same pedestal as that of Bose and Singh. NSUI goons had vandalised the installation, by blackening the face and putting a garland of shoes around it. They had seen the installation of Savarkar’s bust as a prelude to the installation of Nathuram Godse’s bust.

Read all the big announcements made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to boost the economy

OpIndia Staff
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Read all the big announcements made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to boost the economy

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a press conference today on the state of the economy amidst concerns of a slowdown. She attributed the slowdown to global factors and asserted that despite the bleak climate, the Indian economy is continuing to perform better than the rest.


She said, “Global GDP growth rate is currently 3.2% and is expected to be revised downwards. As a result of the US-China trade war and currency devaluation, very volatile situation has developed in global trade. India’s growth rate is higher in comparison with many countries.”

The Finance Minister also emphasized on the reforms being carried out by the Modi government. She said that the government has taken several steps to address issues of ease of doing business and ease of living. Continuously efforts have been made right from labour reform to tax relaxation to make the functioning easy, she said.

She stated further, “Labour law has been enforced, web-based jurisdiction, scrutiny, compounding of offences, self-certification are in place. Faster and quicker approval has been given for acquisitions and mergers. We are moving with a more human approach than the penalty.”

In a significant announcement, Sitharaman announced that from the 1st of October, income tax orders will be issued from a centralized computer system. She said, “Issue of income tax orders, summons notices from 1 October, will be issued through a centralised computer system. What this means is if there is a notice being issued at a ground level, without a central approval, cannot happen.”

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Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement on Friday.

She added, “There will be faceless scrutiny from Vijay Dashmi this year, which will mean that there shall not be even, that one odd over-enthusiastic officer who might go and sit & talk about things, which may be construed as harassment.” “That will not happen because the whole process is going to be faceless and randomized,” she said.

Addressing another recent concern of the business community, Sitharaman said that CSR violations will not be treated as a criminal matter, it will only be considered as a civil offense.


One of the most significant announcements in the press conference was the withdrawal of surcharges on long-term and short-term capital gains. These surcharges were introduced in this year’s budget.


The finance minister said, “In order to encourage investment in the capital market, it is decided to withdraw enhance surcharge levied by the Finance No. 2 Act 2019. In simple words, the enhance surcharge on FPI goes, the surcharge on domestic investors in equity goes. The pre-budget position is restored.”

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Measures to boost the economy announced by Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday.

In another major relief, Angel Tax has also been lifted for registered start-ups. She also announced other measures for start-ups. She stated, “To mitigate genuine difficulties of startup and their investors, it has been decided that section 56(2)(vii b) of the income -tax act shall not be applicable to a start-up registered with DPIIT. It has also been decided to set up a dedicated cell under member of CBDT for addressing the problems of startups. A startup having income tax issues can approach the cell for quick resolution of the same.”

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Measures to boost the economy announced by Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday.

Public sector banks will receive Rs. 70,000 crores in recapitalization immediately. She said, “We are releasing 70,000 crores upfront. Additional lending and liquidity to the tune of Rs 5 lakh crores can be made available by providing this capital for the PSBs.”

Sitharaman announced that home loans and other retail loans will get cheaper henceforth. She said, “The banks have now decided to pass on any rate cut through MCLR reduction to benefit all borrowers. This will result in reduced EMIs for housing loans, vehicles, and other retail loans, by directly linking repo rates to the interest rates.”

Measures to improve loan settlements were also announced. All documents will be returned to the customers within 15 days of loan repayment. OTS settlement (One-time loan settlement) will be improved by banks as well which will help MSMEs.


As a boost to the auto sector, the ban on government bodies from replacing old bodies has been lifted. “Go and replace all your old vehicles,” the finance minister told government bodies, adding that charity begins at home. Moreover, Sitharaman clarified that BS-IV vehicles purchased till the 31st of March 2020 can be used until registration lasts. There were rumours that BS-IV vehicles will become invalid after 2020.

Measures announced for the auto sector

The Finance Minister further clarified that although the government will continue to promote the electric vehicle sector, the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles will continue. There would not be any ban on registration of internal combustion engine vehicles.

Furthermore, it was announced that the government will clear all pending GST refunds to MSMEs within 60 days. UK Sinha Committee recommendations such as ease of credit, marketing, technology, delayed payments among others will be taken up within 30 days, it was announced.

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In another significant announcement, it was announced that 100 trillion rupees would be spent over the next 5 years for the development of infrastructure. She said, “An inter-ministerial task force has been formed by the dept. of economic affairs to finalize the pipeline for spending Rs 100 trillion for developing modern infrastructure over 5 years.”

Nirmala Sitharaman said that there will be another set of announcements next week. She said that there may be two more media briefings in the recent future.

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