News for '-economic-affairs'

Next round of G20 meetings in Gujarat from March 27

Next round of G20 meetings in Gujarat from March 27

Rediff.com22 Mar 2023

Gujarat will host the next round of G20 meetings from March 27 to April 4, during which three conclaves will be held in the state on a range of issues, where delegates from different countries will converge for participation, an official said.

Ex-finance secy booked for corruption in currency security thread supply

Ex-finance secy booked for corruption in currency security thread supply

Rediff.com12 Jan 2023

The CBI, in its FIR, alleged that Mayaram, the UK-based company De La Rue International Ltd and unidentified officials of the finance ministry and RBI hatched a criminal conspiracy to extend undue favour to the firm.

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Govt posts Manipur cadre officer as aviation secretary, rejigs bureaucracy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

The Centre has appointed senior IAS officers Vumlunmang Vualnam and Neeraj Mittal as new secretaries in the ministry of civil aviation and the department of telecommunications respectively in a major secretary-level bureaucratic reshuffle, a government order stated.

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Ravneet Kaur: An IAS officer with varied experience

Rediff.com17 May 2023

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has named Ravneet Kaur, a Punjab cadre IAS officer of 1988 batch, as chairperson of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Kaur will hold the post for five years or until attaining the age of 65. She is the second woman to serve in an 'economic regulator' role after Madhabi Puri Buch, who was appointed chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India last year and the first woman to head the country's chief national competition regulator.

Was Messi also a post-graduate in history, asks RBI Guv

Was Messi also a post-graduate in history, asks RBI Guv

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday replied to the 'history major central bank governor' taunt faced by him, questioning if Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi is also a post-graduate in history. An interviewer anchoring a fireside chat at a summit organised by Business Standard compared his position to an opponent facing Messi at a football arena in Qatar, to which Das replied with wit. "Don't mind it, but was Messi also a post-graduate in history? Not often, but I am sometimes reminded by people that I am supposed to have done history," Das said.

ED's scope of probe under PMLA increased 2.5 times in six years

ED's scope of probe under PMLA increased 2.5 times in six years

Rediff.com29 Apr 2022

Recently, Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 757.8 crore of Amway India Enterprises in connection with an alleged marketing scam. It claimed that Amway was running a multi-level marketing scam. The ED provisionally attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 411.83 crore and bank balances of Rs 345.94 crore from 36 different accounts belonging to Amway. Data from the Department of Economic Affairs shows that in 2021-22 (until December 2021), ED had provisionally attached Rs 8,989.3 crore worth of assets.

Centre gives nod to Delhi minister Atishi for UK visit

Centre gives nod to Delhi minister Atishi for UK visit

Rediff.com7 Jun 2023

The counsel for the Centre said the proposal has been sent to the economic affairs department for further approvals, which would also be processed and the petitioner can apply for requisite visa permits.

Govt lifts expenditure curbs linked to Covid-19

Govt lifts expenditure curbs linked to Covid-19

Rediff.com24 Sep 2021

The finance ministry on Friday withdrew expenditure curbs on various departments and ministries imposed in June in the wake of the COVID-19 second wave, reflecting improvement in public finances and the urgency to step up growth.

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Top-level bureaucratic reshuffle at Centre, Pant named new health secretary

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Pant, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Rajasthan cadre, is currently secretary in the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.

Senior-level bureaucratic rejig at Centre, Rajendra Kumar made ESIC chief

Senior-level bureaucratic rejig at Centre, Rajendra Kumar made ESIC chief

Rediff.com25 Sep 2022

Kumar, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, is currently an additional secretary in the ministry of electronics and Information Technology.

Budget 2023-24: T V Somanathan to Ajay Seth, meet the FM's crack squad

Budget 2023-24: T V Somanathan to Ajay Seth, meet the FM's crack squad

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

Coming Wednesday, Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 2023 Union Budget - the last full Budget ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While India exited 2022 as a relatively bright spot in the global economy, the FM will endeavour to present a Budget that insulates India's economy against global headwinds and recession in advanced economies, while sticking to the path of fiscal consolidation. In this, she is being helped by her core team of trusted advisors.

Spotted! The Taliban's Mullah Baradar

Spotted! The Taliban's Mullah Baradar

Rediff.com25 May 2022

Present at the signing ceremony was the Taliban's rarely seen Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who lost out in a power struggle last year to be prime minister.

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

During his first Union Budget in July 2014, former finance minister Arun Jaitley announced the setting up of an institution called 3P India, with an allocation of Rs 500 crore. The intention was to mainstream public-private partnerships (PPPs) in India. The plan was to bring together the capacities of the government and private sector to push PPP projects.

'Private Sector Is Not Firing At 100%'

'Private Sector Is Not Firing At 100%'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2023

'They have started becoming an important player, but not at the same level as they were in the earlier part of the decade.'

Pre-Budget Consultations To Begin Soon

Pre-Budget Consultations To Begin Soon

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

Seven of the meetings will be held in late November or early December at the finance ministry, as is the norm.

GST: Success And The Way Forward

GST: Success And The Way Forward

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

No longer a discretion of the tax administrator, the audit of returns filed by taxpayers is now based on a selection by algorithms, notes Tarun Bajaj.

Budget 2023-24: Stay on fiscal glide path, economists advise FM Sitharaman

Budget 2023-24: Stay on fiscal glide path, economists advise FM Sitharaman

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

The Union government could target a fiscal deficit of 5.8-6 per cent of nominal GDP for 2023-24, and it should continue its capital expenditure push and look to simplify the personal income tax regime, economists recommended Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team during their pre-Budget interaction on Monday. Starting last week, Sitharaman had eight pre-Budget consultations this time. More than 110 invitees representing seven stakeholder groups participated in these meetings, the finance ministry said in a statement. The stakeholder groups included representatives and experts from agriculture and agro-processing industry; industry, infrastructure & climate change; financial sector and capital markets; services and trade; social sector; trade unions and labour organisations; and economists.

Sonia constitutes committees on economy, foreign affairs, security

Sonia constitutes committees on economy, foreign affairs, security

Rediff.com20 Nov 2020

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will head all the three committees.

Pakistan-China sign pacts to strengthen 'iron-clad friendship'

Pakistan-China sign pacts to strengthen 'iron-clad friendship'

Rediff.com22 Mar 2022

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi discussed ways to further strengthen the "iron-clad friendship" between the two countries as the two sides signed five agreements to deepen their bilateral cooperation in various fields, the foreign office said on Tuesday.

Agriculture, health to be focus of Union Budget 2021

Agriculture, health to be focus of Union Budget 2021

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

The ministry of finance will kickstart its massive budgetary exercise from October 15.

Big decisions soon by MHA on PM security lapse: Thakur

Big decisions soon by MHA on PM security lapse: Thakur

Rediff.com6 Jan 2022

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is gathering information on the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab and "big and tough decisions" will be taken.

China bristles as UK minister lands in Taiwan for trade talks

China bristles as UK minister lands in Taiwan for trade talks

Rediff.com7 Nov 2022

Much on the expected lines, Beijing reacted angrily to Hands' visit, saying that it violates the one-China principle to which London is a signatory.

In 75th year of Independence, govt may shut down British India Corp

In 75th year of Independence, govt may shut down British India Corp

Rediff.com17 Aug 2022

Once the iconic red-brick building of British India Corporation (BICL), which manufactured the popular "Lal-Imli" brand of woollen products, made Cawnpore (now Kanpur) the Manchester of the East. In the 75th year of independence, the government may finally pull the curtains on the century-old, now defunct public sector enterprise. "The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has floated a draft cabinet note for closure of British India Corporation (BICL) along with National Textiles Corporation (NTC). "The Cabinet may soon tak

I have no personal ambitions: Chidambaram on Cong polls

I have no personal ambitions: Chidambaram on Cong polls

Rediff.com20 Feb 2023

The former Union minister asserted that an objective analysis of the political situation will lead to the conclusion that the Congress has to be the "pole" around which Opposition unity in the 2024 Lok Sabha election can be built.

FinMin to kick-start Budget exercise from October 10

FinMin to kick-start Budget exercise from October 10

Rediff.com8 Sep 2022

The finance ministry will kick-start the exercise to prepare the annual Budget for 2023-24 from October 10, in the backdrop of revival of the Indian economy and fears of recession in developed countries. The budget for the next year will have to address critical issues of high inflation, job creation, boosting demand, and putting the economy on a sustained 8 per cent-plus growth path. On Wednesday, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said inflation is no longer "red-lettered" and the priority for the government now is job creation and boosting growth.

Infra Brushstrokes For The Budget

Infra Brushstrokes For The Budget

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

7 key areas that the Budget must address to re-energise the infrastructure sector, suggests Vinayak Chatterjee.

China sends warplanes near Taiwan as US delegation visits Taipei

China sends warplanes near Taiwan as US delegation visits Taipei

Rediff.com31 May 2022

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said 30 Chinese warplanes made incursions into its air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, the highest daily figure in more than four months.

Ramping up vax cover key to restoring economic activity: FinMin

Ramping up vax cover key to restoring economic activity: FinMin

Rediff.com10 Jul 2021

Maintaining a rapid pace of the vaccination drive and quickly bridging healthcare infrastructure gaps across both urban and rural areas would emerge as the most sustainable stimulus for durable recovery of the Indian economy, says a report by the department of economic affairs.

Ukraine war poses upside risk to inflation: FinMin

Ukraine war poses upside risk to inflation: FinMin

Rediff.com16 Mar 2022

The finance ministry said on Tuesday that high energy and commodity prices due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine may provide an upside risk to inflation and continued vigil is required. "Going forward, elevated energy and commodity prices may act as an upside risk to the inflation outlook in the near-medium term. "Given the inherently unsustainable nature of high prices, international commodity prices are expected to level off early with an increase in supplies outside the crisis zone," the department of economic affairs said in its latest monthly economic report for February.

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

'When the average growth in the last three years was just 2.5%, how does that make us the fastest growing country?' 'They only tell you what has happened in the last 2 years; they are not taking into account what happened in FY21 on account of their mistakes.'

Budget 2022: Industry groups want Sitharaman to rationalise I-T slabs

Budget 2022: Industry groups want Sitharaman to rationalise I-T slabs

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

Rationalisation of income tax slabs, infrastructure status for digital services and incentives to hydrogen storage as well as fuel cell development were some of the suggestions made by various stakeholders at the pre-Budget consultation meeting convened by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The customary pre-Budget consultation meetings were held with the finance minister virtually between December 15 and December 22, as per the finance ministry statement. More than 120 invitees representing seven stakeholder groups participated in eight meetings, scheduled during this period, it said.

Tamil Nadu bureaucrat K Rajaraman is new telecom secretary

Tamil Nadu bureaucrat K Rajaraman is new telecom secretary

Rediff.com1 Oct 2021

Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer K Rajaraman on Friday took charge as the new telecom secretary. His joining comes following the superannuation of Anshu Prakash on September 30. "Shri K Rajaraman, IAS (TN:89) takes charge as Secretary, @DoT_India in presence of senior officials of the department," a PIB tweet said. He was serving as the additional secretary for investments at the Department of Economic Affairs before being promoted to the position of secretary, DoT.

Govt invites applications for chief economic adviser post

Govt invites applications for chief economic adviser post

Rediff.com26 Oct 2021

The government has invited applications for the post of chief economic adviser (CEA) to replace K V Subramanian, who will complete his three-year tenure next month. Subramanian was appointed as CEA on December 7, 2018, while he assumed charge on December 24 in the same year. As per the public notice dated October 24, 2021 issued by Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, officer of central, state governments, RBI and public sector banks holding analogous post on regular basis in parent cadres or department are eligible to apply for the post.

Trade settlement in rupee: Fearing sanctions by West, banks seek clarity

Trade settlement in rupee: Fearing sanctions by West, banks seek clarity

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

Banks have raised concerns over the new international trade settlement in rupee, fearing that facilitation of such a mechanism could result in them facing the ire of economic sanctions by the West, people aware of the matter said. Large banks with overseas operations have sought clarity and assurance from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that they will not be targeted with sanctions for facilitating rupee trade with a sanction-hit country such as Russia. The present payment mechanism is a shift from earlier such arrangements, like the one with sanction-hit Iran, which involved banks facilitating settlement of international trade that did not have business in the sanctioned nation.

LIC IPO to hit markets by March

LIC IPO to hit markets by March

Rediff.com13 Jan 2022

The government will launch the mega public offer of LIC by March and file draft papers with market regulator Sebi by the end of this month, an official said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had last week reviewed the progress of the initial public offering (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in a meeting with top officials of the ministry. The official said the September 2021 quarter financials of LIC are getting finalised as well as fund bifurcation is in progress.

Bimal Jalan to head expert panel on RBI reserves

Bimal Jalan to head expert panel on RBI reserves

Rediff.com26 Dec 2018

The panel will include Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg and RBI Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan.

How a tortoise made due diligence process NPA-free

How a tortoise made due diligence process NPA-free

Rediff.com28 Dec 2022

Only NIIF has stayed the course as a viable infrastructure financing institution.

Meet FM's A-team behind Budget 2022

Meet FM's A-team behind Budget 2022

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the much-awaited 2022-23 Union Budget on February 1. While there has been strong recovery in some sectors, touch services like hospitality, tourism and leisure continue to suffer after two Covid-19 waves. Household savings have been hit due to increased spending on health care. Consumption has still not reached pre-pandemic levels.

Is The BJP Stung By Rahul's Walk?

Is The BJP Stung By Rahul's Walk?

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

Nowadays, our politics is habituated to sitting on a high pedestal, hobnobbing with world leaders, generating impressions of a superpower and returning to earth for the purpose of winning elections. In contrast, the yatra never left earth, observes Shyam G Menon.

'We are closing loopholes exploited by highest level of taxpayers'

'We are closing loopholes exploited by highest level of taxpayers'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

'...Market-linked debentures, high-value insurance, exemptions from capital gains by investment in real estate, etc.' 'So, there are a number of measures directed at collecting a fair share from higher income individuals.'