Photos| HTLS 2019: Nirmala Sitharaman, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Capt Amarinder Singh start Day 2
PM Narendra Modi had set the tone for the thought leaders with his inaugural address at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2019 on Day 1, connecting his government’s recent decisions to the theme of the Summit, ‘Conversations for a better tomorrow’. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is the first speaker on day two of the 17th HTLS. Hollywood couple Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas along with chief ministers of Punjab’s Amarinder Singh and Chhattisgarh’s Bhupesh Baghel will speak during the first half.
Updated on Dec 07, 2019 01:24 pm IST 9 Photos
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman began the day in conversation with R Sukumar, Editor-in-chief, Hindustan Times. “The vision of the government translates into several things, like every citizen has a home, every family has a toilet, and every citizen is healthy. The vision is what it means to an ordinary citizen,” said FM Sitharaman. “The govt’s vision is homes, energy and skills,” she said. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)
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On slowing growth, Sitharaman said her attention is to make sure more is done for greater stimulus. “Tax rate cut is one among the many things we are thinking to boost stimulus,” said FM Sitharaman. She later said that the taxation regime will be simplified, exemption free. “We are moving towards a more simplified and harassment-free taxation regime,” said the finance minister. (Burhaan Kinu / HT PHOTO)
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On GST Sitharaman said, “GST is a good law and is required for a large country like India. So, it was only right and timely that we get the GST law.” Assuring a streamlined GST that addresses the issues of assesses, the FM clarified that, “In the last GST collection, the cess fund wasn’t adequate so the states didn’t get the 14% compensation. When we collect the required cess, we will honour the compensation rate.” (Virendra Singh Gosain / HT Photo)
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“We are delighted to be back in India. This is a country which is very close to our heart,” said Catherine Zeta-Jones. “I was lucky enough to marry my best friend. The secret of our relationship was to being kind to each other and we are best friends,” she said when the secret to a long married life by Anil Kapoor. ‘Happy wife, happy life,’ was Michael Douglas’ rejoinder to Zeta-Jones. (Arvind Yadav / HT Photo)
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