The New Pension Scheme (NPS) has so far not seen too many takers after the government opened the scheme to the public in 2009. However, the investment scenario will most likely change in favour of NPS once the proposals under the latest Direct Taxes

Under the DTC Bill, the annual deduction has been raised to Rs. 1.5 lakh. From the bill It appears that investments in PPF, PF, NPS, pure life insurance policies, savings schemes as notified by the government are eligible for this deduction under EEE category.

With the Union Cabinet clearing the the new Direct Taxes Code (DTC) on Thursday, tax benefits on ELSS investments up to Rs 1 lakh are expected to go by next April. And investors looking for greener investment pastures are retreating from ELSS.

Government of India has constituted a seven member Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects (TAGUP) on June 1, 2010, headed by the Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Shri Nandan Nilekani to address various technological and systemic issues relating to the reliable, secure and efficient functioning of IT intensive systems in Government such as Tax Information Network (TIN),

The New Pension Scheme (NPS) is likely to get a makeover if the revised Direct Tax Code is implemented. However, the government is doing its bit to lure investors to take a close look at the NPS. Recently, the government announced the ‘Swavalamban’ scheme through which it would add Rs 1,000 co-contribution every year for the next three years for everyone who joins the New Pension Scheme in this financial year. Any NPS subscriber who invests Rs 1,000-12,000 per annum between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011, will get Rs 3,000 free from the government.

The New Pension Scheme (NPS) for the unorganised sector got a much-needed fillip with the revised discussion paper on the Direct Taxes Code proposing that the end proceeds under this scheme be exempt from tax. Under the existing tax structure, the maturity proceeds under the NPS are taxed. That is, an EET (exempt-exempt-tax) method is followed. This put the scheme at a disadvantage vis-a-vis other savings instruments where the exempt-exempt-exempt (EEE) method was followed.

Ministry of Finance has constituted the Technical Advisory Group for Unique Projects (TAGUP). This Committee has been constituted in pursuance of the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech 2010-11 wherein he proposed to set up a Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects under the Chairmanship of Shri Nandan Nilekani for an effective tax administration and financial governance system through creation of IT projects which are reliable, secure and efficient.

The interim pension regulator has sought tax relief on investments in the New Pension Scheme (NPS) to make it more attractive to employees of private sector firms. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has written to the finance ministry seeking level playing field for NPS with other long-term savings schemes that will get tax benefits under the proposed Direct Taxes Code. “All we want is equal treatment,” a PFRDA official said.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation is switching to an electronic payment system, which will allow it to credit the PF amount to the members’ bank accounts within two days of claim authorisation. EPFO is becoming more customer-friendly these days as it is trying to stave off competition from the new pension scheme, or NPS.

The Department of Posts, Government of India, has been enlisted as a Point of Presence (PoP) for distribution of the New Pension System (NPS) by Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA). The Department of Posts (DOP) would, to start with, make the NPS available at over 800 of its branches all over the country, and expand the distribution network to more branches in a phased manner in its endeavour to make NPS available to all citizens in all parts of the country.