Somesh Jha, Arup Roychoudhury And Shrimi Choudhary

Stories by Somesh Jha, Arup Roychoudhury And Shrimi Choudhary

RBI to rejig financial year in line with government's

RBI to rejig financial year in line with government's

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2020

Taking advantage of the RBI's different accounting year, the Centre had started demanding an interim dividend till the time the latter's final balance sheet is prepared (usually in August). To address this anomaly, an expert committee led by former RBI governor Bimal Jalan had recommended aligning the RBI's financial year with that of the government.

'Getting rid of tax exemptions is a right move'

'Getting rid of tax exemptions is a right move'

Rediff.com   13 Feb 2020

'If you do quick back-of-the-envelope calculation, someone earning Rs 10 lakh can get a benefit of anywhere between Rs 35,000 and Rs 45,000, even if s/he is availing exemptions.' 'A large proportion of people do not avail full exemptions as they don't have money to invest in those schemes.'

'There should be an uptick in growth'

'There should be an uptick in growth'

Rediff.com   10 Feb 2020

'There are some encouraging signs.' 'Notice that we have not said 7%-plus, we are keeping it at 6% to 6.5%.'

WhatsApp Pay gets nod, eyes lion's share of market

WhatsApp Pay gets nod, eyes lion's share of market

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2020

Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp has secured regulatory approval for launching its digital payment platform -- WhatApp Pay -- in a phased manner, close to two years after the US-based company's pilot run.

Panel to examine fiscal, debt situation likely

Panel to examine fiscal, debt situation likely

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2020

The panel may include or seek inputs from former RBI Governor Urjit Patel, former chief economic advisor Arvind Subramanian, Sajjid Chinoy of the PM-EAC, Rathin Roy, among others.

Why EPFO blocked accounts of 1 mn employees

Why EPFO blocked accounts of 1 mn employees

Rediff.com   6 Feb 2020

The government has found about 900,000 beneficiaries of its flagship job formalisation scheme, the PMRPY, were ineligible in the first place as they were part of the formal economy even before the inception of the scheme. The EPFO has also recovered Rs 222 crore so far from the employers concerned.

Black money: SIT proposes to cap cash kept at home

Black money: SIT proposes to cap cash kept at home

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2020

The proposed measures aim to bring stricter norms to curb holding of illegal cash and mismanagement of unaccounted cash seized by the probe agencies during investigations.

Budget 2020: Govt clarifies on NRI tax

Budget 2020: Govt clarifies on NRI tax

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2020

The ministry said it was an anti-abuse provision amid growing instances of NRIs shifting their stay in low or no-tax jurisdiction to avoid tax payment in India.

Will bank customers pay for higher depositors' insurance?

Will bank customers pay for higher depositors' insurance?

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2020

'The banks cannot pass on the hike in premiums to its customers, according to the norms. The premium won't go up substantially in any case and may be hiked to 12-13 paise (per deposit of Rs 100 a year),' Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar said.

15th Finance Commission report: Devolution for FY20-21 cut marginally

15th Finance Commission report: Devolution for FY20-21 cut marginally

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2020

This is due to the newly formed Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, which will get funds from the Centre's share, which means devolution will be for 28 states compared to 29 earlier.

Tax dispute? Govt offers immunity scheme

Tax dispute? Govt offers immunity scheme

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2020

The Vivaad se Vishwas scheme is a replica of the Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Regulation) Scheme, 2019 (SVLDRS) for indirect tax litigation. The hope is that this would unlock revenue blocked in long-drawn litigation at various forums. Sources in the department say the total value at stake in these disputes would be Rs 5-6 trillion.

Govt wants Rs 10,000 cr interim dividend from RBI to bridge fiscal gap

Govt wants Rs 10,000 cr interim dividend from RBI to bridge fiscal gap

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2020

This demand comes at a time when the government is falling short of its revenue targets due to dwindling tax and low disinvestment receipts. It could account for the dividend in the upcoming Union Budget on February 1. RBI is, however, yet to take a final call on the government's demand and might decide on this at its central board meeting scheduled for February 15 in New Delhi.

15th FC may hike grants, cut devolution to states

15th FC may hike grants, cut devolution to states

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2020

Any reduction in devolution could aggravate the strained relations between the Centre and some opposition-ruled states on a number of issues, including CAA.

How DHFL diverted Rs 12,700 crore to shadowy firms

How DHFL diverted Rs 12,700 crore to shadowy firms

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2020

The ED, which is probing the DHFL promoters' role in financing funds to gangster Iqbal Memon (alias Iqbal Mirchi), said Kapil Wadhawan, former chairman and managing director of the debt-laden company, played a very crucial role in these "nefarious transactions" by way of money laundering.

Government headhunts for new Sebi chief

Government headhunts for new Sebi chief

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2020

The finance ministry has put out an advertisement seeking applications from eligible candidates for the post and gave just two weeks against the usual practice of three months. Further, the tenure of the watchdog is again being extended to five years.

In Centre's fire sale: land, factories, apartments, office space

In Centre's fire sale: land, factories, apartments, office space

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2020

Processes are at an advanced stage for a number of assets of the Centre and central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) to be monetised. The assets include office space, apartments, factories, land, power transmission assets, sports stadia, gas pipelines, and telecom assets.

Direct tax collections from Mumbai dip 13%

Direct tax collections from Mumbai dip 13%

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2020

It had declined by slightly over 4 per cent in December. The city contributes 37 per cent to the total direct tax revenues. If the trend continues, it could affect the Budget estimates of Rs 13 trillion for the current fiscal year.

Budget maths won't be hit if oil is below $70

Budget maths won't be hit if oil is below $70

Rediff.com   17 Jan 2020

Oil sank to the lowest level in a month after shedding all of its gains from the US-Iran clash as traders waited to see whether any further hostilities will disrupt exports from the East Asia.

RBI plans to put weak private lenders under the hammer

RBI plans to put weak private lenders under the hammer

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2020

The banking regulator is seeking an early exit mechanism for private banks under Prompt Corrective Action.

Budget 2020: Tax changes for charitable trusts likely

Budget 2020: Tax changes for charitable trusts likely

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2020

The new provision under the Income-Tax Act may enable the authorities to seize trustees' personal assets if there's a breach of objectives governing registered charitable trusts.