[Highlights] Finance Minister announce Special economic package to support businesses, especially MSMEs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday announced a Special economic package of ₹ 20 lakh crores – equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP. He 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.

Today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the special economic package measures for relief and credit support related to businesses, especially MSMEs to support Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19.

Following measures were announced today:-

1. Rs 3 lakh crore Emergency Working Capital Facility for Businesses, including MSMEs
   Additional working capital finance of 20% of the outstanding credit as on 29 February 2020, in the form of a Term Loan at a concessional rate of interest will be provided. This will be available to units with upto ₹25 crore outstanding and turnover of up to ₹ 100 crore whose accounts are standard. The units will not have to provide any guarantee or collateral of their own. The amount will be 100% guaranteed by the Government of India providing a total liquidity of ₹ 3.0 lakh crores to more than 45 lakh MSMEs.

2. Rs 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs
   Provision made for ₹ 20,000 cr subordinate debt for two lakh MSMEs which are NPA or are stressed. Government will support them with ₹ 4,000 Cr. 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 lakhs.

3. Rs 50,000 crores equity infusion through MSME Fund of Funds
   Govt will set up a Fund of Funds with a corpus of ₹ 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 crores.

4. New definition of MSME
   Definition of MSME will be revised by raising the Investment limit. An additional criteria of turnover also being introduced. The distinction between manufacturing and service sector will also be eliminated.

Revised Definition of MSMEs

5. Other Measures for MSME
   e-market linkage for MSMEs will be promoted to act as a replacement for trade fairs and exhibitions. MSME receivables from Government and CPSEs will be released in 45 days.

6. No Global tenders for Government tenders of up to ₹ 200 crores
   General Financial Rules (GFR) of the Government will be amended to disallow global tender enquiries in procurement of Goods and Services of value of less than ₹ 200 crores.

7. Employees Provident Fund Support for business and organised workers
   The scheme introduced as part of PMGKP under which Government of India contributes 12% of salary each on behalf of both employer and employee to EPF will be extended by another 3 months for salary months of June, July and August 2020. Total benefits accrued is about ₹ 2500 crores to 72.22 lakh employees.

8. EPF Contribution to be reduced for Employers and Employees for 3 months
   Statutory PF contribution of both employer and employee reduced to 10% each from existing 12% each for all establishments covered by EPFO for next 3 months. This will provide liquidity of about ₹ 2250 Crore per month.

9. Rs 30,000 crores Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFC/HFC/MFIs
   Government will launch ₹ 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme, liquidity being provided by RBI. Investment will be made in primary and secondary market transactions in investment grade debt paper of NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs. This will be 100 percent guaranteed by the Government of India.

10. Rs 45,000 crores Partial credit guarantee Scheme 2.0 for Liabilities of NBFCs/MFIs
    Existing Partial Credit Guarantee scheme is being revamped and now will be extended to cover the borrowings of lower-rated NBFCs, HFCs, and other Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs). The government of India will provide a 20 percent first loss sovereign guarantee to Public Sector Banks.

11. Rs 90,000 crore Liquidity Injection for DISCOMs
    Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation will infuse liquidity in the DISCOMS to the extent of ₹ 90000 crores in two equal installments. This amount will be used by DISCOMS to pay their dues to Transmission and Generation companies. Further, CPSE GENCOs will give a rebate to DISCOMS on the condition that the same is passed on to the final consumers as a relief towards their fixed charges.

12. Relief to Contractors
    All central agencies like Railways, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and CPWD will give an extension of up to 6 months for completion of contractual obligations, including in respect of EPC and concession agreements

13. Relief to Real Estate Projects
    State Governments are being advised to invoke the Force Majeure clause under RERA. The registration and completion date for all registered projects will be extended up to 6 months and maybe further extended by another 3 months based on the State’s situation. Various statutory compliances under RERA will also be extended concurrently.

14. Tax Relief to Business
    The pending income tax refunds to charitable trusts and non-corporate businesses and professions including proprietorship, partnership, and LLPs and cooperatives shall be issued immediately.

15. Tax-related measures

• Reduction in Rates of ‘Tax Deduction at Source’ and ‘Tax Collected at Source” – The TDS rates for all non-salaried payment to residents, and tax collected at source rate will be reduced by 25 percent of the specified rates for the remaining period of FY 20-21. This will provide liquidity to the tune of ₹ 50,000 Crore.

• The due date of all Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2020-21 will be extended to 30 November 2020. Similarly, the tax audit due date will be extended to 31 October 2020.
• The date for making payment without additional amount under the “Vivad Se Vishwas” scheme will be extended to 31 December 2020.