Shrimi Choudhary &Amp; Samie Modak

Stories by Shrimi Choudhary &Amp; Samie Modak

Overseas investors continue to cut shareholding in both HDFC, HDFC Bank

Overseas investors continue to cut shareholding in both HDFC, HDFC Bank

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2022

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) continue to cut their shareholding in both Housing Development Finance Corp (HDFC) and HDFC Bank. As per latest data, during the June 2022-23 quarter (Q1FY23), FPIs held 68.1 per cent and 65.96 per cent, respectively, in HDFC and HDFC Bank. Overseas shareholding is down 111/406 basis points (bps) and 260/412 bps on the quarter-on-quarter (QoQ)/year-to-date (YTD) basis in HDFC and HDFC Bank, respectively.

FM defends GST hike on essentials

FM defends GST hike on essentials

Rediff.com   20 Jul 2022

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the mass consumption items such as pulses, wheat, rice, flour, and curd will not attract the 5 per cent goods and services tax (GST) when sold loose, and not pre-packed or pre-labelled. The clarification came amid protests and widespread criticism by Opposition Members of Parliament over foisting GST on daily-use essentials and subsequent price rise. The all-powerful GST Council, chaired by the Union minister, had last month decided to impose GST on some mass consumption items to simplify the rate structure, which came into effect on Monday.

Start-ups trump traditional companies in value creation

Start-ups trump traditional companies in value creation

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2022

Domestic new-age companies are making their presence felt at India Inc. According to a study done by Credit Suisse, only 15 per cent of the companies in the BSE500 index were formed after the year 2000. By comparison, nearly 90 per cent of unicorns - a start-up with a value of over $1 billion - were set up after 2000.

'GST collections will be Rs 1.3 TRILLION'

'GST collections will be Rs 1.3 TRILLION'

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2022

'We revolutionised the system in a manner so that the chances of leakage will be much lower than it was in the beginning.'

India Exits $3 Trillion M-Cap Club

India Exits $3 Trillion M-Cap Club

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2022

From the peak of $3.67 trillion in January, India's market cap has eroded by $676 billion amid rising bond yields and a record-breaking sell-off by overseas investors.

FPIs allowed to deal in exchange-traded commodity derivatives

FPIs allowed to deal in exchange-traded commodity derivatives

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2022

The Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) board on Wednesday allowed foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to trade in exchange-traded commodity derivatives. The move, it said, "will enhance liquidity and market depth, as well as promote efficient price discovery." Overseas investors will only be allowed to deal in non-agricultural commodity derivatives and only cash-settled contracts.

Taxmen clear the air on TDS levy on cryptos

Taxmen clear the air on TDS levy on cryptos

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2022

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued detailed guidelines on facilitating tax deducted at source (TDS) on virtual digital assets (VDA) or crypto assets, under which date of transfer and mode of payment will have to be specified. From July 1, TDS of 1 per cent will be levied on payments towards virtual digital assets or cryptocurrencies beyond Rs 10,000 in a year, as the Finance Act 2022 has introduced Section 194S in the income tax (I-T) Act. The department has explained different scenarios through six questions to remove difficulties.

NRI taxpayers cannot seek MAP if they opt for Vivad se Vishwas: CBDT

NRI taxpayers cannot seek MAP if they opt for Vivad se Vishwas: CBDT

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2022

Authorities will allow the country's taxpayers to access the mutual agreement procedure (MAP) for cross-border disputes. This is even if they had settled the case under the direct tax dispute resolution scheme - Vivad se Vishwas - without deviating from the outcome of the scheme, said the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday. However, non-resident taxpayers, who opted for the resolution scheme, cannot go for MAP on the same issue, it clarified. MAP is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism under the tax treaties where competent authorities of two countries enter into discussions to resolve tax-related disputes.

'A very long time since India experienced such high inflation'

'A very long time since India experienced such high inflation'

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2022

Inflation trajectory, domestically as also globally, is what will shape the economy, and therefore the market, over the next couple of quarters.'

How Madhabi Puri Buch Is Changing Sebi

How Madhabi Puri Buch Is Changing Sebi

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2022

Industry players credit Sebi's first woman chairperson with putting special emphasis on cyber security, use of tech and data, areas where Sebi is trying to 'stay ahead of the curve'.

Ministers' group on GST agrees to disagree on pruning exempted items list

Ministers' group on GST agrees to disagree on pruning exempted items list

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2022

The GoM is likely to submit an interim report to the Council on pruning the list of items that at present do not attract the levy.

TDS imposed on gifts to social media influencers, free samples to doctors

TDS imposed on gifts to social media influencers, free samples to doctors

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2022

According to the CBDT, if a social media influencer retains a product from the manufacturing company after using for the purpose of rendering service, then it will be treated as a benefit/perquisite under newly-introduced Section 194R of the IT Act.

Fired fund managers of Axis Mutual Fund could be banned from markets

Fired fund managers of Axis Mutual Fund could be banned from markets

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2022

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) could soon issue interim orders imposing a market ban on the two former fund managers of Axis Mutual Fund (MF) for suspected front-running of trades, said people with knowledge of the development. "The market regulator has gathered prima facie evidence that demonstrates that the duo has violated the integrity of the market. "While a detailed investigation is still pending in the matter, Sebi could take action under Section 11 (4) to prevent further harm to the investors and the securities market," said a source.

Indirect tax mop-up may fall short of target

Indirect tax mop-up may fall short of target

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2022

The government expects indirect tax collection to be lower than the Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs 13.38 trillion this fiscal year, despite prospects of netting goods and services tax (GST) in large amounts, Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj has said. "Indirect tax collection may see lower realisation than budgeted on account of cuts in excise and customs duties. "We could see a shortfall of about Rs 1.5 trillion on account of those," he told Business Standard.

Clarity likely on taxing NFT as virtual digital asset

Clarity likely on taxing NFT as virtual digital asset

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2022

Ahead of the first due date of advance tax payment on June 15, the government is likely to release guidelines on what will be covered within the ambit of virtual digital assets (VDA). To remove any ambiguity in the recently established tax framework for asset holders, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is currently preparing guidelines, said government officials in the know. The apex direct tax body will define non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and whether or not they fall within the purview of VDA.

Taking on Google, FB, Apple: CCI seeks more teeth to tackle Big Tech

Taking on Google, FB, Apple: CCI seeks more teeth to tackle Big Tech

Rediff.com   31 May 2022

Ashok Kumar Gupta, chairman of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has never minced words while talking about the giant technology companies, referring to them on multiple occasions as "centres for entrenched and unchecked dominance". The anti-trust regulator has, in fact, been cracking down on big technology companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and others, after they were hauled up by regulators and lawmakers in Europe and Australia. However, in several instances, existing regulations have prevented the CCI from going all out against these companies for anti-competitive activities.

States seek legal views on SC ruling before GST Council meet

States seek legal views on SC ruling before GST Council meet

Rediff.com   31 May 2022

Some states are taking a legal view on the state GST rate and the compensation rules ahead of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting, which is likely to be held in mid-June, said people in the know. While the agenda is still being finalised, several states are likely to take up the matter related to GST compensation and may pitch for its continuation beyond the June 30 deadline. States would like to know how they would divide the compensation collected after June 2022 for payment of principal and interest of compensation shortfall borrowing and arrears to states, sources said.

FPI concerns remain as shift to T+1 settlement cycle nears: Analysts

FPI concerns remain as shift to T+1 settlement cycle nears: Analysts

Rediff.com   31 May 2022

Overseas investors, as well as other key stakeholders, such as brokers, custodians, and clearing corporations, are yet to iron out critical issues, even as the shift towards a shorter trade settlement cycle approaches new phases. Several industry players said foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) are still facing impediments over the trade confirmation timelines, foreign exchange (forex) bookings, and pre-funding requirements. This could potentially act as a roadblock when it comes to moving entirely to the new T+1 settlement cycle from next year.

16 'suspected entities' searched in Axis MF front-running case

16 'suspected entities' searched in Axis MF front-running case

Rediff.com   28 May 2022

According to sources, the two fund managers allegedly made illicit gains worth Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore through front-running.

Sebi scanner on more front-running ops by fund managers

Sebi scanner on more front-running ops by fund managers

Rediff.com   17 May 2022

Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is examining allegations of front-running and other irregularities against a host of domestic fund managers across the asset management industry, said people in the know. Developments at Axis Mutual Fund have prompted the regulator to speed up probe to ensure that there is no drop in confidence in the Rs 39-trillion mutual fund (MF) industry. "We have received complaints against a few fund managers and are looking into possible violations, including those related to code of conduct," said a regulatory source, refusing to divulge names of fund houses as things are at a preliminary stage.