Nivedita Mookerji And A K Bhattacharya

Stories by Nivedita Mookerji And A K Bhattacharya

Budget 2026: Nirmalaji's Challenges, Opportunities

Budget 2026: Nirmalaji's Challenges, Opportunities

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2025

The best course for the government at this time would be to tighten the seat belt a little more, without compromising on its investments in creating better infrastructure and giving a push to privatisation, points out A K Bhattacharya.

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2025

'I will not be surprised if there is a 7 per cent handle in front of the decimal place for the full financial year.'

Will Tata Sons Go Public?

Will Tata Sons Go Public?

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2025

Clarity on Tata Sons' position on listing, as of 2025, would help define the future of the group better, irrespective of the RBI stand. As of now, the ball is in the RBI's court, and everyone is watching the space, points out Nivedita Mookerji.

The Story Behind India's National Anthem

The Story Behind India's National Anthem

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2025

Nehru had requested Tagore to compose a national anthem. But the poet died soon after and with that died the idea of a new song from Tagore that could be India's national anthem. It is remarkable that Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose agreed on Bharoto Bhaagyo Bidhaataa as India's national anthem.

'Petrol, Diesel In GST? Not In Immediate Future'

'Petrol, Diesel In GST? Not In Immediate Future'

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2025

'Tax cannot be emotional.'

Nirmalaji, Streamline GST Assessment Machinery!

Nirmalaji, Streamline GST Assessment Machinery!

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2025

'It must become faceless, just as the entire direct tax assessment system has already become fully online, without any human intervention in the normal course,' recommends A K Bhattacharya.

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2025

'It was like rigorously preparing for a solid, good exam...' 'I don't know what marks I will get, but I felt the rigorous preparation of an exam.' 'You may sweat, but I feel rejuvenated.'

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2025

'I am doing the drive in making sure that people pass this on. So the drive is not with distrust. The drive is just in case.' 'Just in case it doesn't get passed on, I am here.'

'I Won't Wait For Decades To Get Reform Done'

'I Won't Wait For Decades To Get Reform Done'

Rediff.com   19 Sep 2025

'That is going to have an impact on literally every one, whether you buy a toothpaste, a safety pin, a car, shoes or medicines or you go to a diagnostic centre.'

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2025

'I can sanction projects worth Rs 20 trillion annually as of today.' 'But my system is only capable of executing projects worth Rs 3 trillion to Rs 4 trillion.'

Three Mega IPOs Set To Rewrite India Inc Story In 2026

Three Mega IPOs Set To Rewrite India Inc Story In 2026

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2025

IPOs have been the flavour of the season for some time. But the coming together of three mega IPOs, from diverse businesses and historic relevance, could tell a story that's still in the making, points out Nivedita Mookerji.

'Bureaucrats Resist Meeting Public...'

'Bureaucrats Resist Meeting Public...'

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2025

'...as then it brings them closer to the complaints and grievances that the public faces.'

AI 171 Crash: No Closure In Sight As Questions Linger

AI 171 Crash: No Closure In Sight As Questions Linger

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2025

The truth about what triggered the fatal crash of the Dreamliner should not only help bring the guilty to book, but also outline the future course of action in aviation safety, notes Nivedita Mookerji.

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

'I've No Desire To Be Prime Minister'

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2025

'I am not an aspiration-oriented politician.' 'This is the time to redefine politics.' 'Politics of power is not real politics.'

'My Job Is To Be A Facilitator'

'My Job Is To Be A Facilitator'

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2025

'My job is to provide people with a bouquet of options they can choose from.'

No Digital Data Protection Act Change Likely

No Digital Data Protection Act Change Likely

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2025

The "construct of the DPDP Act" cannot be changed at this stage, though there may be some minor tweaks in the language of the Rules and formats in certain legitimate cases.

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2025

'Spend, but create assets, spend but make sure that people benefit from it.' 'This has been a beautiful guiding principle. And I think as a finance minister I owe so much to the prime minister for keeping this path clear before us.'

'Budget's Main Objective Was To Honour Taxpayers'

'Budget's Main Objective Was To Honour Taxpayers'

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2025

'Our attempt to honour the taxpayer has been since 2014 and more actively since 2019-2020 onwards.'

The Regret About This Budget Is...

The Regret About This Budget Is...

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2025

'... that it once again shies away from renewing its commitment to strategic divestment,' points out A K Bhattacharya.

Budget 2025: What Nirmalaji Needs To Fix

Budget 2025: What Nirmalaji Needs To Fix

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2025

If the fiscal deficit target of 4.9% of GDP has to be met for 2024-2025, which the government must in view of the uncertainties and challenges emerging both domestically and globally, the finance ministry may see in the composition of the current year's capex a sliver of hope, notes A K Bhattacharya.