Ch 6

"When will you allocate the funds to the economic sector?" Animesh asked, looking at the finance minister.

"Sir, the funds will be allocated to the country by next week," the finance minister replied.

"Okay, show me the list of where the country's money is going," Animesh said, asking him for the file on the country's financial distribution.

"Sir, wait a moment. I will bring the file soon!" He quickly got up and said to Animesh.

Animesh nodded, and the finance minister left the room.

Animesh then turned his head toward the Minister of Commerce.

"Are there any companies investing in any parts of the country? And how much is the tax actually for new companies and foreign countries?" Although he didn't fully understand the specifics, Animesh had some ideas about it.

"Sir, there are only a few foreign companies investing in our country. As for the tax, it's almost 30% of the revenue for foreign companies, and for Indian companies, it's 25%," the Minister of Commerce replied, giving the data to Animesh.

Animesh listened and frowned. If the country demands such hefty taxes on companies, only a few will come to India. And if there is another country with lower taxes, or even no taxes, those companies will definitely go there instead of India.

Thinking of this, he turned his head back to the Minister of Commerce and asked, "Can we attract major companies to our country if we decrease our taxation on new or foreign companies, even offering no taxes for the first three years? Do you think those companies would invest in our country?"

After hearing the words of Animesh, the Commerce Minister considered the proposal. The idea of reducing taxes, or even offering a tax holiday to attract foreign investment, was bold, and it had its risks. However, in the current economic climate, something drastic was needed to put India on the map as a desirable destination for foreign companies.

"Prime Minister," the Commerce Minister began cautiously, "your proposal is certainly attractive. Reducing taxes for new companies, especially foreign investors, could give us an advantage in attracting businesses that are currently looking at other countries in Asia, like China or Vietnam. If we offer a tax holiday for the first three years, we may see a surge in investment, particularly in sectors like technology and manufacturing. But we have to be careful."

"Careful in what way?" Animesh asked, his eyes got squinted. He needed to understand all aspects of the decision.

"Well, sir," the Minister replied, "if we lower taxes too much, we risk losing a significant amount of revenue that we need for public spending and infrastructure development. Also, local businesses might see this as unfair treatment if foreign companies get better deals. It could create an imbalance in the market."

Animesh leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the desk as he thought through the implications. He knew they needed foreign investment to grow, but he also had to balance the needs of domestic businesses and the broader economy.

"We need to find a middle ground," Animesh said after a moment. "We can't alienate our own industries, but we also can't afford to lose out on global competition. What if we offer tax holidays but tie them to performance? If a company meets certain benchmarks—like job creation, infrastructure development, or export growth—then they can qualify for continued tax relief."

The Commerce Minister nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "That may work, Prime Minister. If we incentivize companies to invest in India and meet specific targets, it will ensure that they contribute to the economy in more meaningful ways. It's a strategic move."

"Good," Animesh replied. "I want a detailed plan. Work with the Finance Ministry on this. We need to present something solid to the cabinet."

The Commerce Minister made a note and quickly left the room to start on the proposal.

Animesh sat silent for a moment, looking at the piles of reports on his desk. He had only been Prime Minister for a short time, but it already felt like years. The decisions were difficult, and the stakes were high, but he felt a deep sense of responsibility to his country.

Just then, the system panel blinked in his mind.

"New task: Formulate a plan to restructure economic policies. Reward: Unlock new infrastructure development blueprint, for the new cities.

2000 points, and the system mall unlock."

Animesh smiled to himself. The system was never disappoint him and now there is a system mall.

---

The next morning, Animesh called for a full cabinet meeting. The agenda was clear: India's economic future. As the ministers gathered around the large conference table, Animesh stood at the head, ready to lead them into what he knew would be a critical discussion.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, in the current rapidly growing world, we are at a crossroads. Our India is on the cusp of a major transformation, and we need to make decisions that will shape our economy for decades to come. Today, I want to discuss, how to attract more foreign investment, support domestic businesses, and ensure that every sector of our economy thrives."

He glanced at the Finance Minister and the Commerce Minister, who were ready with their reports.

"We have several ideas on the table," Animesh continued. "Tax incentives, infrastructure investment, and trade reforms. I want everyone's input."

The meeting went for hours as the ministers debated different strategies. Some favored aggressive tax cuts to lure foreign investors, while others warned of the risks to the government's revenue. Others still pushed for more support for agriculture and small businesses, emphasizing that growth had to be inclusive.

By the end of the day, a consensus was emerging. The plan was ambitious but balanced. India would offer selective tax holidays to attract foreign companies, but only in sectors that promised to create jobs and boost exports. Domestic companies would also receive tax breaks, especially if they invested in rural areas or helped develop infrastructure.

Animesh listened carefully to every point, making sure the final plan was one that could truly change the trajectory of India's economy. When the meeting finally ended, he felt that he had learnt a lot from this.

As the ministers went out of the room, Mahesh Verma approached Animesh.

"Prime Minister, the press is eager to hear about the outcomes of this meeting. What would you like to say?"

Animesh stood and straightened his jacket, preparing to face the media. "Tell them we have a plan—a bold, forward-thinking plan. We're going to reshape India's economy, and we'll do it in a way that benefits every citizen, from the farmer in the fields to the entrepreneur in the city."

He paused, then added with a smile, "And tell them—this is just the beginning."

[Sorry, there is something in my home, so I didn't uploaded.]