John Samuel Raja D &Amp; Rituparna Bhuyan In New Delhi

Stories by John Samuel Raja D &Amp; Rituparna Bhuyan In New Delhi

Firms in non-GST states to pay higher taxes

Firms in non-GST states to pay higher taxes

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2009

If the company A is located in a non-GST state, it would pay a total tax of Rs 300 (Rs 200 on finished product and Rs 100 on input), compared to Rs 200 paid by other producers in a GST state. The Centre is hoping that in such a scenario companies in GST states would lobby for introduction of the pan-India tax, which will subsume most state and Centre-level taxes.

India's new tax rollout in troubles waters

India's new tax rollout in troubles waters

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2009

Key roadblock: Constitutional amendment required to provide wider taxation powers to Centre, states.

Govt likely to extend sops to EoUs, STPI

Govt likely to extend sops to EoUs, STPI

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2009

The move to extend the income tax benefits enjoyed by units covered by the Software Technology Parks of India Act and those set up in export oriented units by another year -- up to March 31, 2011 will benefit around 6,000 STPI units and 2,486 EoUs. In its budget-related wish list, the commerce ministry had recommended a three-year extension of the scheme, while the industry has been asking for five.

'Firms may get fiscal sops for affirmative action'

'Firms may get fiscal sops for affirmative action'

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2009

Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed said his ministry would push for affirmative action in the corporate sector through fiscal incentives.

Economists raise growth forecasts after elections

Economists raise growth forecasts after elections

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2009

Prospects of a stable government at the Centre have prompted at least six economic forecasters to raise their growth estimates for the current fiscal, citing lower-than-expected political risk after the recent general elections.

Spread fiscal deficit target over 5-6 yrs: Govt

Spread fiscal deficit target over 5-6 yrs: Govt

Rediff.com   1 Jun 2009

Under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, the Centre should have eliminated the revenue deficit and brought down the fiscal deficit to 3 per cent of gross domestic product by March 2008. This target was extended by a year. Then, due to the global economic crisis, the government decided to suspend implementation of the FRBMA. As a result, the fiscal deficit for 2008-09 crossed 6 per cent of GDP and is projected at 5.5 per cent in fiscal 2009-10.

India, Asean resolve differences over FTA

India, Asean resolve differences over FTA

Rediff.com   28 May 2009

Government officials said the Asean FTA, as well as a similar pact with South Korea involving free trade of goods, services and investment, could be signed on the sidelines of the summit of Asean nations, scheduled in October this year. The India-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is also ready for signing, sources added.

FinMin asks govt depts not to exceed allocations

FinMin asks govt depts not to exceed allocations

Rediff.com   26 May 2009

As part of its fiscal tightening measures, the finance ministry has asked all government departments not to seek any increase in their allocations for 2009-10 over and above what has already been provided for in the Interim Budget presented on February 16.

Govt to simplify SEZ approval

Govt to simplify SEZ approval

Rediff.com   21 May 2009

Developers will now be able to get their land classified as an SEZ at the initial stage of approval by submitting legal documents that prove land ownership. With exports falling sharply in the last six months, faster development of SEZs is seen as one way of increasing overseas sales of Indian goods and services, an official said.

Economic Advisory Council steps down

Economic Advisory Council steps down

Rediff.com   20 May 2009

Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister Suresh D Tendulkar, as well as other member of the apex panel submitted their resignation on Tuesday.

Follow the manifesto, don't forget the CMP

Follow the manifesto, don't forget the CMP

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

This meant targets set for primary school admissions, assured income for every family and roads, water, housing and electricity. And yearly spending of over Rs 1,20,000 crore (Rs 1,200 billion), up from Rs 36,000 crore (Rs 360 billion) in the last year of the National Democratic Alliance government.

Plan panel members to resign today

Plan panel members to resign today

Rediff.com   18 May 2009

The Planning Commission's term runs concurrently with that of the government. The commission, whose inputs are vital on important policy related matters, is likely to have new faces when the new team is announced, said a top government functionary who had earlier worked in the apex planning body.

Priceless Taj Mahal valued at Re 1

Priceless Taj Mahal valued at Re 1

Rediff.com   14 May 2009

The Taj Mahal, the timeless masterpiece built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, along with other heritage sites like the Qutab Minar, will be valued in the government books at just Re 1. This is part of the broad move to move government accounts towards accrual-based accounting system from the cash-based one within the next five years. Like a corporate balance sheet and profit and loss account statements, the government too will undertake similar book keeping.

India's exports fall 33% in April

India's exports fall 33% in April

Rediff.com   13 May 2009

India's exports have declined for the seventh consecutive month in April.

Bumpy ride for India Inc's ITI adoption plan

Bumpy ride for India Inc's ITI adoption plan

Rediff.com   12 May 2009

India Inc's initiative to adopt Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country is facing problems because of low level of cooperation on the field as well as red-tapism, industry lobby groups have claimed.

Industry lobbies divided over need for stimulus

Industry lobbies divided over need for stimulus

Rediff.com   7 May 2009

Ficci: Rationalise tax structure; CII: Space for fiscal incentives is limited.

Failed messages ring the alarm bell at MRTPC

Failed messages ring the alarm bell at MRTPC

Rediff.com   7 May 2009

The investigation arm of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission, the country's anti-trust body, has launched a probe against 10 cellular service providers, including state-owned ones, for allegedly charging customers for Short Message Services that are not delivered.

New WPI series to be ready by August

New WPI series to be ready by August

Rediff.com   30 Apr 2009

National Sample Survey Organisation, a division within the ministry of statistics, has been roped in to collect price data for the new series and a dry run is on the anvil in the next couple of months. The new series will have 2004-05 as the base year, as against 1993-94 in the present mode and will reflect a consumption basket that is relevant in today's scenario, thereby making inflation data more reliable. The new series will have 2004-05 as the base year.

New FDI norms may be revised for banks

New FDI norms may be revised for banks

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2009

The new foreign direct investment guidelines may be revised with respect to the banking sector to avoid an adverse fallout for Indian banks with majority foreign equity.

India can do little on US visa proposal: Experts

India can do little on US visa proposal: Experts

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2009

Even as India reacted strongly against the proposed changes in the US visa regime, trade experts said the country could do little in multilateral forums like the World Trade Organization to appeal against implementation of such measures.