Somesh Jha And Dilasha Seth

Stories by Somesh Jha And Dilasha Seth

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2019

PSB chiefs tried to argue that liquidity is in surplus in the system and the problem was related to lack of demand in the economy, instead of banks' reluctance to lend, but 'the FM said it is a perception issue that loan is not available, which we need to dispel,', reports Somesh Jha.

Day after: Corporate tax relief may worsen fiscal deficit

Day after: Corporate tax relief may worsen fiscal deficit

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2019

The immediate revenue loss could worsen the Centre's fiscal deficit, from the budgeted 3.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to 3.7 per cent of GDP -- a massive 40-basis-point increase. It was stabilised at 3.4 per cent since 2016-17, report Abhishek Waghmare and Dilasha Seth.

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

The NDA government will be following the footsteps of its predecessor, the UPA, which had introduced the concept of "loan mela" to boost credit by directing banks to lend to people through public meetings.

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

In the latest draft of the Code on Social Security Bill, 2019, the government has decided to stick to the current thresholds for providing social security benefits to workers by industry.

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2019

The government is set to ask PSBs to expeditiously introduce repo-rate linked products "to step up affordable credit".

States rule out GST cut on automobiles

States rule out GST cut on automobiles

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2019

Facing a deepening slowdown, the auto sector is pinning hopes on the GST Council meeting on September 20 for a rate cut from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. However, states including Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, and Punjab are of the view that the slowdown in the auto sector is not because of the GST rate but structural issues in the economy.

Why your take-home salary may rise soon

Why your take-home salary may rise soon

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2019

The government wants to reduce the rate of contribution - part of the employee's share - for a class of workers depending upon age, income or gender, without changing the contribution from the employer's share.

Be warned, from today you are under greater govt scrutiny

Be warned, from today you are under greater govt scrutiny

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2019

Changes in I-T rules kick in today; to help govt track taxpayers' income, reports Dilasha Seth.

Recommendations of the Direct Taxes Code panel

Recommendations of the Direct Taxes Code panel

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2019

The proposed move to withdraw the DDT would help encourage investments by addressing multiple taxation of income and bringing down the effective tax rate on companies, which is among the highest in the world.

Banks may seek your OK for fund transfer to your account

Banks may seek your OK for fund transfer to your account

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2019

Under the proposed mechanism, the finance ministry has said banks will notify customers when someone tries to deposit money in their accounts, a government official said.

Major tax relief likely for those earning up to Rs 55 lakh per annum

Major tax relief likely for those earning up to Rs 55 lakh per annum

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2019

DTC task force also favoured doing away with Dividend Distribution Tax by suggesting taxing dividends in the hands of shareholders.

Noose tightens around Chinese e-com firms evading duties

Noose tightens around Chinese e-com firms evading duties

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2019

The government is looking to plug loopholes in the Indian customs law provision that allows tax exemptions for gifts up to Rs 5,000 and trade samples up to Rs 10,000 sent to India from abroad.

CCD crisis: I-T officer draws flak for tax terrorism day before retirement

CCD crisis: I-T officer draws flak for tax terrorism day before retirement

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2019

Balakrishnan refused to react to the India Inc criticism of growing incidents of tax terrorism following Siddhartha's letter. Appearing unfazed, he said, "I only believe in doing my job well."

No overtime without employee consent

No overtime without employee consent

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2019

The Bill states a worker will be paid twice his or her wage if he or she is allowed to work overtime. A majority of workers in India worked more than 48 hours in a week, which is higher than the International Labour Organisation's prescribed time-limit.

Garg leaves without signing off on Jalan panel report

Garg leaves without signing off on Jalan panel report

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2019

Garg had refused to sign on the report finalised by the former Reserve Bank of India governor Bimal Jalan-led committee reviewing the central bank's economic capital framework (ECF).

Going gets tough for big firms wanting tax reduction

Going gets tough for big firms wanting tax reduction

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2019

Revenue foregone on account of corporation tax exemptions is estimated to grow by 16 per cent in 2018-19 (FY19) versus 8.7 per cent in the previous year and 12 per cent in 2016-17, show the Budget documents.

To ease compliance, govt plans major labour reforms

To ease compliance, govt plans major labour reforms

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2019

Single registration will be coupled with single licence, along with a single return, for executing projects for five years.

Govt to extend minimum wages to 100% of workforce

Govt to extend minimum wages to 100% of workforce

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2019

Under the New Code on Wages Bill 2019, employers will be required to give the minimum wages, notified by either the state or the Centre, to the unorganised sector, too.

Budget 2019: Income tax collection target 'too steep', say experts

Budget 2019: Income tax collection target 'too steep', say experts

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2019

CBDT has been given a collection target of Rs 5.69 trillion in personal income tax in the fiscal year 2019-20 - 19.2 per cent more than the Rs 4.77-crore collection in the previous year.

Banks likely to freeze accounts of shell firms

Banks likely to freeze accounts of shell firms

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2019

Government suspects that many of these bank accounts were used to launder money, especially after the demonetisation in November 2016.