Arup Roychoudhury &Amp; Somesh Jha

Stories by Arup Roychoudhury &Amp; Somesh Jha

Gig workers set to come under labour laws

Gig workers set to come under labour laws

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2019

According to draft Code on Social Security, 2019, gig and platform workers will be entitled to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, among others.

Bibek Debroy retained as chairman of PM's economic council

Bibek Debroy retained as chairman of PM's economic council

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2019

Sajjid Chenoy, India economist at JP Morgan is the new part-time member.

PM's economic advisory council may be rejigged

PM's economic advisory council may be rejigged

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2019

Among possible new members, former chief economic advisor Arvind Virmani's name is doing the rounds.

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2019

PSB chiefs tried to argue that liquidity is in surplus in the system and the problem was related to lack of demand in the economy, instead of banks' reluctance to lend, but 'the FM said it is a perception issue that loan is not available, which we need to dispel,', reports Somesh Jha.

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

The NDA government will be following the footsteps of its predecessor, the UPA, which had introduced the concept of "loan mela" to boost credit by directing banks to lend to people through public meetings.

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

In the latest draft of the Code on Social Security Bill, 2019, the government has decided to stick to the current thresholds for providing social security benefits to workers by industry.

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2019

The government is set to ask PSBs to expeditiously introduce repo-rate linked products "to step up affordable credit".

NITI Aayog's artificial intelligence proposal gets FinMin's nod

NITI Aayog's artificial intelligence proposal gets FinMin's nod

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2019

NITI Aayog had been asking for Rs 7,500 crore for three years to set up an AI framework.

Why your take-home salary may rise soon

Why your take-home salary may rise soon

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2019

The government wants to reduce the rate of contribution - part of the employee's share - for a class of workers depending upon age, income or gender, without changing the contribution from the employer's share.

Banks may seek your OK for fund transfer to your account

Banks may seek your OK for fund transfer to your account

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2019

Under the proposed mechanism, the finance ministry has said banks will notify customers when someone tries to deposit money in their accounts, a government official said.

As FM, Jaitley will be remembered for fiscal rectitude

As FM, Jaitley will be remembered for fiscal rectitude

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2019

For his first Budget in July 2014, Jaitley inherited a fiscal deficit target of 4.1 per cent of GDP. From 4.1 per cent, the fiscal deficit came down to 3.4 per cent by 2018-19, with two slippages from the budgeted targets, in 2017-18 and 2018-19, the former due to introduction of the GST, says Arup Roychoudhury.

Unlike other UTs, Jammu & Kashmir to get funds from Centre's divisible pool

Unlike other UTs, Jammu & Kashmir to get funds from Centre's divisible pool

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2019

Sources in the Fifteenth Finance Commission said that they will implement the provisions after the bill is enacted and the President makes a reference to it.

How Sitharaman plans to tackle economic slowdown

How Sitharaman plans to tackle economic slowdown

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2019

As the government plans to take sector-specific steps to tackle the slump, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will soon hold talks with representatives from various sectors to get and take steps so that the confidence of those sectors can be restored.

FM to meet all bank heads on Monday to discuss NBFC crisis

FM to meet all bank heads on Monday to discuss NBFC crisis

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2019

Credit to priority sectors as well as small and medium industries will be discussed to find ways to accelerate economic growth.

Overseas sovereign bonds are happening, but in tranches

Overseas sovereign bonds are happening, but in tranches

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2019

An official said that people in the government were aware of the benefits as well as the drawbacks of issuing overseas sovereign bonds, and there will be consultations with all stakeholders.

What is the future of GST?

What is the future of GST?

Rediff.com   30 Jul 2019

With less than five months left for the report of the Fifteenth Finance Commission to be submitted, its chairman N K Singh said the report will have fiscal road map for states, depending on their current situation.

No overtime without employee consent

No overtime without employee consent

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2019

The Bill states a worker will be paid twice his or her wage if he or she is allowed to work overtime. A majority of workers in India worked more than 48 hours in a week, which is higher than the International Labour Organisation's prescribed time-limit.

Garg leaves without signing off on Jalan panel report

Garg leaves without signing off on Jalan panel report

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2019

Garg had refused to sign on the report finalised by the former Reserve Bank of India governor Bimal Jalan-led committee reviewing the central bank's economic capital framework (ECF).

As finance secretary, Garg rubbed too many the wrong way

As finance secretary, Garg rubbed too many the wrong way

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2019

Owing to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman being new to her role, a number of crucial announcements in the Budget bore Garg's imprint, especially the decision to borrow in overseas markets, reduce the fiscal deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product, and resort to off-Budget borrowing to meet that target, says Arup Roychoudury.

To ease compliance, govt plans major labour reforms

To ease compliance, govt plans major labour reforms

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2019

Single registration will be coupled with single licence, along with a single return, for executing projects for five years.