New Delhi, Delhi, India

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday announced to make no changes in the personal income-tax slabs.

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"Govt has made many positive changes in the personal income tax rates applicable to individuals in the last three years therefore I do not wish to make any changes to this," he said.

Jaitley said that there will be a standard deduction of Rs 40,000 under transport, medical reimbursement for the salaried class.

The facility has been extended to pensioners also.

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However, for the senior citizens, the exemption of interest income on bank deposits has been raised to Rs 50,000.

During his budget speech, Jaitley informed that the number of effective tax-payers has gone up from 6.47 crore in 2014-15 to 8.27 crore in 2016-17.

He also projected the fiscal deficit for 2018-19 at 3.3% of GDP.

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"The fiscal deficit for 2017-18 was Rs 5.95 lakh crore, that is, 3.5% of GDP. I project it at 3.3% of GDP in 2018-19."

Thi is the last full budget of the ruling NDA government.