Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has reassured the public that the new Income Tax Bill, set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, retains the core essence of the original bill. This statement comes after concerns were raised following the withdrawal of the initial Income Tax Bill from the Lok Sabha on Friday. Rijiju clarified that the new bill incorporates the 285 suggestions made by a Select Committee, addressing any anxieties that previous work on the bill would be disregarded.

Rijiju emphasized that incorporating amendments into a bill is a standard parliamentary procedure. When numerous changes are suggested and accepted by the government, it is customary to withdraw the original bill and introduce a new one that includes all the accepted amendments. This approach streamlines the parliamentary process, making it easier for the Parliament to consider and pass the bill.

The Select Committee of the Lok Sabha, led by BJP member Baijayant Panda, proposed 285 suggestions to the Income Tax Bill, all of which have been accepted by the government. Rijiju affirmed that the new bill is not entirely new but rather the same bill with the incorporated amendments. He dispelled any fears that the hard work and suggestions from the past six months would be wasted, stating that they would be reflected in the new Income Tax Bill.

The Income Tax Bill, 2025, was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13 with the aim of replacing the existing Income Tax Act, 1961. It seeks to simplify India's tax structure, reduce legal ambiguities, and help individual taxpayers and MSMEs avoid unnecessary litigation. The new measures are expected to establish a fair and equitable direct taxation system that does not burden the working and middle classes. It is also expected to make filing taxes easier for common citizens and small businesses.

The withdrawal of the bill had sparked concerns, particularly on social media, with some presuming that the new bill would completely disregard the previous work. Rijiju's statements aim to allay these fears and ensure the public that the new Income Tax Bill is a continuation of the previous efforts, incorporating valuable suggestions to improve the tax system.