Manojit Saha, Harsh Kumar, Ashutosh Mishra

Stories by Manojit Saha, Harsh Kumar, Ashutosh Mishra

CPSE dividend likely to cross record FY24 tally

CPSE dividend likely to cross record FY24 tally

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2024

The Centre may overshoot the Rs 56,260 crore target for dividend receipts from central public-sector enterprises (CPSEs) set for FY25 and is likely to end up getting around Rs 65,000 crore this financial year, according to a senior government official. This excludes dividend from nationalised banks and financial institutions. As on October 21, the Centre collected Rs 28,913 crore as dividend and other investment from CPSEs, accounting for over 50 per cent of the Budget Estimate for FY25.

Centre doubles Mudra loan ceiling to Rs 20 lakh under new category

Centre doubles Mudra loan ceiling to Rs 20 lakh under new category

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2024

The government on Friday doubled the limit of Mudra loan amount under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh under a new 'Tarun Plus' category to promote entrepreneurship in the country.

RBI report confident of festival boost to economy

RBI report confident of festival boost to economy

Rediff.com   22 Oct 2024

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) State of the Economy report for October acknowledged a slowdown in some high-frequency indicators but expressed confidence in a recovery, aided by consumption demand during the festival season. "In India, aggregate demand is poised to shrug off the temporary slowdown in momentum in the second quarter of 2024-25 as festival demand picks up pace and consumer confidence improves," said the report released on Monday.

Indian banks in Canada fear biz loss amid row

Indian banks in Canada fear biz loss amid row

Rediff.com   21 Oct 2024

If there is a decline in the number of Indian students pursuing higher studies in Canada due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, it may have implications for Indian banks operating in the North American country, senior bank officials said.

RBI bars Navi Finserv, 3 other NBFCs from extending loans

RBI bars Navi Finserv, 3 other NBFCs from extending loans

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred four non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), including two microfinance institutions (MFIs), from sanctioning and disbursing loans for charging exorbitant interest rates to the borrowers. These four entities are Asirvad Microfinance, Arohan Financial Services (also an MFI), DMI Finance, which provides personal, consumption, and micro, small and medium enterprises loans, and Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal's Navi Finserv, which offers home and personal loans. The ban will take effect on October 21 to "facilitate closure of transactions in the pipeline", the regulator said in a statement.

De-risking loan portfolio likely a top priority for new Bandhan CEO

De-risking loan portfolio likely a top priority for new Bandhan CEO

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2024

Partha Pratim Sengupta, who will be taking charge as the MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank in early November, has his task cut out. The Kolkata-based lender, which converted itself from a microfinance institution to a universal bank, is in its 10th year of operation. The bank was able to cut down the share of the micro loan book over these years.

'Preparing to enter affordable housing loans space'

'Preparing to enter affordable housing loans space'

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2024

'Focus will be on smaller loan amounts to meet the needs of affordable homebuyers.'

How Government Is Making Use Of AI

How Government Is Making Use Of AI

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2024

The National Informatics Centre uses AI to automate document analysis and detect fraud in government departments.

Supreme Court allows claiming input tax credit on construction expenses

Supreme Court allows claiming input tax credit on construction expenses

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2024

In a development that may encourage increased investment in commercial real estate, the Supreme Court on Thursday gave the industry relief by permitting input tax credit (ITC) on construction expenses for buildings meant to be leased. "If the construction of a building was essential for carrying out the activity of supplying services, such as renting or giving on lease or other transactions in respect of the building or a part thereof, which are covered by clauses (2) and (5) of Schedule II of the CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) Act, the building could be held to be a plant," said Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Sanjay Karol.

13 candidates in fray for PNB top job

13 candidates in fray for PNB top job

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2024

At least 13 candidates are in the race for the position of managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) of Punjab National Bank (PNB), the second-largest public sector bank (PSB), according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. "Among the candidates, some are executive directors (EDs) and managing directors in major PSBs. "Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) will conduct the interviews next month," said a source.

Consensus eludes GoM on GST rate rationalisation, over 100 items discussed

Consensus eludes GoM on GST rate rationalisation, over 100 items discussed

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2024

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on goods and services tax (GST) rate rationalisation, which convened in Goa on Wednesday, reviewed the GST rates for over 100 items, including textiles, handloom goods, agricultural products, fertilisers, and educational materials. However, no consensus was reached on any of the items, with further discussions scheduled for next month in Delhi.

India Working on 30,000 cr Maritime Development Fund

India Working on 30,000 cr Maritime Development Fund

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2024

The fund will promote domestic shipbuilding of all types and sizes to reduce India's dependence on foreign ships.

Are I-T Returns Details Private?

Are I-T Returns Details Private?

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2024

Disclosing an individual's income-tax returns is tantamount to violating the person's fundamental right to privacy as recognised by the Constitution.

GST Gamed For Rs 81,875 cr, Finds Report

GST Gamed For Rs 81,875 cr, Finds Report

Rediff.com   16 Sep 2024

The highest-ever goods and services tax (GST) evasion has been done by the online money gaming industry.

Tax notices to employees a 'discrepancy', says TCS

Tax notices to employees a 'discrepancy', says TCS

Rediff.com   16 Sep 2024

Information technology major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Friday termed the tax demand notices received by several of its employees a "discrepancy," and the tax department will be reprocessing the returns. "We understand that the tax authorities will be reprocessing the returns, post which TDS shall be in sync with Form 26AS issued by the Income Tax Department, and Form 16 Part A issued by TCS. Associates that received the notice will receive a rectification intimation in due course and are not required to pay any demand amount.

'We want to build best housing finance company of future'

'We want to build best housing finance company of future'

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2024

'Opportunity is there in each segment of the market. There is opportunity in affordable and specifically governed by government initiatives as well as for housing for all.'

India pitches for more info sharing on int'l payments

India pitches for more info sharing on int'l payments

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2024

India is pushing for greater disclosures by credit card companies, fintech firms, and payment aggregators (PAs) at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), so that the sender and recipient in a cross-border financial transaction can be easily identified and the information shared with law enforcement agencies. Separately, the inter-governmental group, which sets standards to curb money laundering, will release the fourth round of its mutual evaluation report on India on September 19. FATF in June had adopted the mutual evaluation report on India and placed the country in the "regular follow-up" category - the highest rating given by the global watchdog and a distinction shared by only four other G20 countries.

RBI seen warming up for a neutral shift in stance

RBI seen warming up for a neutral shift in stance

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2024

With concern on food inflation ebbing with the monsoon progressing well, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is warming up to the idea of a change in stance to "neutral" from "withdrawal of accommodation", according to economists. In his speech on Thursday during the annual event of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry-Indian Banks' Association, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said: "The balance between inflation and growth is well-poised."

Can Setty Take SBI To New Heights?

Can Setty Take SBI To New Heights?

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2024

It is to be seen if SBI under Setty, who will have a three-year term, can ride the economic cycle to take SBI to new heights, navigating some of these challenges.

''Growth Expected To Be 1% Below Last Year'

''Growth Expected To Be 1% Below Last Year'

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2024

'A possible post-election growth momentum may be lost.'