According to a source close to the development, the investment advisory committee of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority has suggested far-reaching changes to make the investment norms more flexible, while adhering to the existing prudential investment guidelines.
The reason for the largesse, a first in the revenue department, is on account of direct and indirect tax collections exceeding the target (Budget estimate) for 2006-07. Total revenue collections stood at Rs 470,987 crore (Rs 4,709.87 billion) for the year, against the targeted Rs 439,952 crore (Rs 4399.52 billion).
In a move to check wild swings in the share prices of newly listed small-cap companies, the Securities and Exchange Board of India is considering a price band (circuit filter) for the first couple of days after listing.
This 20 per cent increase will allow a taxpayer to save up to Rs 2,000 in taxes every year, a senior government official said.
Despite increasing loan disbursements in the last three financial years, the number of farmers who were financed by banks have declined considerably.
She had shown some cash and other assets as gifts from party men "given to her out of love and affection", an argument the department rejected.
This is an initial assessment, but the actual loss to insurers will be known after the fire is completely doused and claims start pouring in.
Some sections within the government feel that it is possible to treat them as separate entities as is done in case of World Bank and its private investment arm -- the International Finance Corporation. However, RBI is of the view that there cannot be a one-off approval and Temasek and GIC cannot be considered as separate entities as they belong to the same government -- the government of Singapore.
Irda is planning credit rating for insurance companies. Such a move will enable the regulator to grade insurance companies.
RBI has come down heavily on banks and dealers that are holding government securities portfolio.
The move follows concerns raised by the Reserve Bank of India. According to sources, the central bank is concerned that most sovereign wealth funds operate in a non-transparent manner.
Under this scheme, North Block may waive both interest and penalty for defaulters and an announcement to this effect is expected in Budget 2008-09 due next month, according to a senior finance ministry source.
Mumbai leads the list of cities with highest tax collections, say the tax figures of the first nine months of this fiscal.
FM is likely to introduce tax return prepares scheme for small service tax payers in the upcoming budget.
The ministry of finance does not want a single entity to own more than five per cent in a CIB. This view is backed by the Reserve Bank of India.
The likely relaxation, however, will not apply to foreign banks.
From April 1, individual and corporate taxpayers who pay Rs 50,000 and more as tax in a single payment, may have to make the payment electronically. A formal announcement to this effect from the Central Board of Direct Taxes is expected shortly, finance ministry sources confirmed.
The Reserve Bank of India has finally cleared the long-pending transfer of Thailand-based Surachan Chawla's 38 per cent stake in Catholic Syrian Bank.
Come April 2008 and Delhi will become the first state in the country to do away with printed "stamp paper", which is currently mandatory for property-related documentation.
Petroleum products such as crude, motor spirit and diesel, and alcohol beverages will be kept outside the dual goods and service tax (GST) structure, which will be implemented from April 2010.
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