Somesh Jha, Arup Roychoudhury And Shrimi Choudhary

Stories by Somesh Jha, Arup Roychoudhury And Shrimi Choudhary

Govt readies plan to boost demand with infra spend, cash transfer

Govt readies plan to boost demand with infra spend, cash transfer

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2020

This includes an infrastructure push which may lead to the government spending more than its budgeted capital expenditure for 2020-21. There are also discussions on increasing the scope and quantum of direct cash transfers to the beneficiaries who need it the most.

YES Bank fraud case: Cox & Kings top brass under ED lens

YES Bank fraud case: Cox & Kings top brass under ED lens

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2020

The probe agency found irregularities in loans amounting Rs 3,642 crore sanctioned by Yes Bank to the travel firm.

Current fiscal deficit may go up to 5.3% of GDP: CEA

Current fiscal deficit may go up to 5.3% of GDP: CEA

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2020

'Given the 50 per cent or thereabouts increase in borrowing that has been announced, it is a reasonable estimate to say that at this time, an increase of 1.7-1.8 per cent on the 3.5 per cent budgeted fiscal deficit target is being anticipated,' Chief Economic Adviser Krishnamurthy Subramanian said on Friday.

Templeton's investment in Rana Kapoor's YES Capital under ED lens

Templeton's investment in Rana Kapoor's YES Capital under ED lens

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2020

Schemes among the six wound up by the fund house had given a loan of Rs 518 crore against non-convertible debentures to the firm in March 2019, according to ED's chargesheet.

Govt unlikely to tweak GST rates on non-essential items

Govt unlikely to tweak GST rates on non-essential items

Rediff.com   1 Jun 2020

Retaining the GST rate assumes importance since states are under pressure to increase their revenues, hit hard by lockdown. Also, the Centre has not fully compensated states for their revenue losses on account of GST for 2019-20.

'This was not specifically a COVID package'

'This was not specifically a COVID package'

Rediff.com   30 May 2020

'It is a package for a new self-reliant India.'

Why RBI said no to NBFCs with funds from Mauritius

Why RBI said no to NBFCs with funds from Mauritius

Rediff.com   29 May 2020

The RBI is of the view that it cannot carry out satisfactory due diligence for granting registration because the funding is from a jurisdiction that has been identified by FATF as having weak measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

ED attaches JP Morgan India accounts worth Rs 187 crore

ED attaches JP Morgan India accounts worth Rs 187 crore

Rediff.com   28 May 2020

This follows an investigation into alleged violations of foreign exchange rules involving foreign direct investment of Rs 85 crore and Rs 140 crore by JP Morgan India and Amrapali Group firms.

Govt wants PSUs to ramp up dividends, share buybacks

Govt wants PSUs to ramp up dividends, share buybacks

Rediff.com   28 May 2020

This comes at a time when the COVID-19 crisis is expected to derail the government's revenue maths for 2020-21, hitting the mop-up from sources such as taxes and divestment.

Huge scam in YES Bank for many years, say ED

Huge scam in YES Bank for many years, say ED

Rediff.com   26 May 2020

Proceeds of the crime had been siphoned off and laundered or concealed, or layered and integrated into the main financial system through the acquisition of properties. His wife Bindu Kapoor has been charged with being aware of the source of monies that were being routed through these companies.

ILO writes to Modi, voices concerns over labour law changes

ILO writes to Modi, voices concerns over labour law changes

Rediff.com   26 May 2020

ILO acts upon a plea by 10 central trade unions objecting to the ordinances proposed to temporarily scrap labour laws in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, along with executive orders issued by at least 10 states to increase the daily working limit to 12 hours from eight hours, along with other labour law changes.

Why the recent rejig in labour laws by states won't help much

Why the recent rejig in labour laws by states won't help much

Rediff.com   25 May 2020

Labour law changes for three years may not be enough as it takes a couple of years for factories to build and operations at a proper scale start only in the third or fourth year.

How states can avail extra borrowing from the markets

How states can avail extra borrowing from the markets

Rediff.com   20 May 2020

These conditions are implementation of the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme, ease of doing business, power sector reforms, and urban local body reforms.

Govt's piece-meal approach not enough to help migrants

Govt's piece-meal approach not enough to help migrants

Rediff.com   15 May 2020

There was no announcement from the government on guaranteeing a minimum basic income, which is the need of the hour. The announcements on portability of ration cards and affordable rental housing to workers are for the long and medium terms. Migrant workers need immediate relief.

'Google tax' may be deferred till September

'Google tax' may be deferred till September

Rediff.com   14 May 2020

E-commerce giants such as Amazon, Netflix and Flipkart, whose headquarters are not in India, potentially have to pay the additional levy of 2 per cent from April 1.

Sitharaman likely to focus on poor, farm sector next

Sitharaman likely to focus on poor, farm sector next

Rediff.com   14 May 2020

Later, there may be some tax relief aimed at the middle class and measures to benefit the sectors worst hit by Covid-19 and the resultant nationwide lockdown.

Punjab 1st state to withdraw hike in minimum wages

Punjab 1st state to withdraw hike in minimum wages

Rediff.com   12 May 2020

The Karnataka government is also expected to follow suit and withdraw its decision to raise the variable DA.

Sitharaman may announce Rs 3 trillion stimulus package this week

Sitharaman may announce Rs 3 trillion stimulus package this week

Rediff.com   12 May 2020

There could be multiple measures announced in quick succession, not only by the finance minister but also other ministers regarding their respective sectors, and by the Reserve Bank of India. The total size of these announcements could rival that of other G-20 nations as a percentage of GDP.

Licence norms for contract workers relaxed in MP

Licence norms for contract workers relaxed in MP

Rediff.com   11 May 2020

11 categories of industries will be exempt from the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Relations (MPIR) Act of 1961. This includes textile, leather, cement, iron and steel, electrical goods, sugar, electricity, public motor transport, engineering including manufacture of motor vehicles, among others.

'This will lead to a law of the jungle'

'This will lead to a law of the jungle'

Rediff.com   11 May 2020

'Just as coronavirus has come to us from China, this disease is also coming from that country.' 'India is a strong democracy and you cannot compromise on labour laws in this manner.' 'These changes will be challenged in court.'