News for '-nirmala'

Ratan Tata left an indelible mark on our society: Sitharaman

Ratan Tata left an indelible mark on our society: Sitharaman

Rediff.com10 Oct 2024

Expressing condolences on the demise of the doyen of Indian industry and Chairman Emeritus of Tata Group, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said he has left an indelible mark on society. "Saddened by the passing away of Shri Ratan Tata, a leader par excellence, visionary industrialist, and philanthropist whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our society," Sitharaman said in a post on X.

The IAF Pilot Who Saved A Jaguar

The IAF Pilot Who Saved A Jaguar

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

The sky outside was a perfect blue with fair winds on that hot day in July, but inside the Jaguar an emergency was unraveling with every passing second. Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane had two options: Eject and see his beloved aircraft crash -- which would come at a great cost to the nation and cause harm to civilian life and property on the ground. Or try the limits of his training; push the aircraft and his flying skills to the edge of technical and human endurance and save them both.

Centre doubles Mudra loan ceiling to Rs 20 lakh under new category

Centre doubles Mudra loan ceiling to Rs 20 lakh under new category

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

The government on Friday doubled the limit of Mudra loan amount under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh under a new 'Tarun Plus' category to promote entrepreneurship in the country.

Tax dept invites public suggestions for I-T Act review

Tax dept invites public suggestions for I-T Act review

Rediff.com7 Oct 2024

The Income Tax department on Monday invited public inputs for review of the six-decade old I-T Act with regard to simplification of language, litigation reduction, compliance reduction, and obsolete provisions. Pursuant to the Budget announcement by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for a comprehensive review of the Income-tax Act, 1961, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had set up an internal committee to oversee the review and make the Act concise, clear, and easy to understand, which will reduce disputes, litigation, and provide greater tax certainty to taxpayers.

'Lending rate cut still some time away'

'Lending rate cut still some time away'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's call for making lending rates affordable may not resonate anytime soon as banks still struggle with margin compression, and await clues from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on liquidity and rate action. Hinting that any lending rate cut was some time away, State Bank of India (SBI) managing director Vinay M Tonse said there was still some aggression in the market regarding deposit pricing.

What Are New RBI Governor's Challenges?

What Are New RBI Governor's Challenges?

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

'Challenge is basically near-term growth as the outlook has turned a bit adverse.'

Get the 'big fish' sending drugs to India: Nirmala to officials

Get the 'big fish' sending drugs to India: Nirmala to officials

Rediff.com5 Dec 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday asked enforcement agencies to go after 'big fish' involved in drug trafficking, saying they need to find who is sending 'mountains' of illegal drugs into the country.

Remove 18% GST on life, medical insurance premium: Gadkari to Sitharaman

Remove 18% GST on life, medical insurance premium: Gadkari to Sitharaman

Rediff.com31 Jul 2024

Both life insurance and medical insurance premiums are subject to an 18 per cent GST rate.

Nirmala Sitharaman: More HITS than MISSES

Nirmala Sitharaman: More HITS than MISSES

Rediff.com10 Aug 2021

Nirmala Sitharaman is proving to be a better finance minister than her initial rookie status might have led people to expect, observes T N Ninan.

The Hotelier Who BJP Apologised To

The Hotelier Who BJP Apologised To

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

Sree Annapoorna Sree Gowri Shankar is a familiar name across the country. With over 1,500 employees, it is renowned for its filter coffee and Keerai Vada throughout Tamil Nadu. Its operating revenues range from Rs 100 crore to Rs 500 crore.

Will GST Council cut taxes on insurance premium?

Will GST Council cut taxes on insurance premium?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

The GST Council, in its meeting on Saturday, is likely to decide on reducing tax rates on life and health insurance premiums, while hiking it on high-end wrist watches, shoes and apparels, besides considering a separate 35 per cent tax slab for sin goods. The 55th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state counterparts, is likely to discuss rate rejig in about 148 items, besides, it will also deliberate on bringing Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), a major component for airline industry's operation cost, in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) fold.

Sitharaman to present Modi 3.0's 1st budget on July 23

Sitharaman to present Modi 3.0's 1st budget on July 23

Rediff.com6 Jul 2024

This will be the first budget presented by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in its third term amid high anticipation following President Droupadi Murmu's assertion that it will be marked by many historic steps.

Manmohan Singh's last rites to be performed with full State honours

Manmohan Singh's last rites to be performed with full State honours

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday. He will be given a state funeral with full state honors at Nigambodh Ghat on Saturday. Singh served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014 and was known for his role in India's economic reforms. Leaders from across the political spectrum paid their respects to the departed leader, highlighting his contributions to the nation.

PSBs clocked 11% growth in H1FY25

PSBs clocked 11% growth in H1FY25

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The Union Finance Ministry on Tuesday said that aggregate business of public sector banks (PSBs) has shown strong growth of 11 per cent in the first half of the financial year 2024-25 (H1FY25) to touch Rs 236 trillion. The operating and net profit were also robust. At Rs 1.5 trillion, operating profit grew by 14.4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) while the net profit saw an impressive 25.6 per cent jump at Rs 85,520 crore in the first half of FY25.

Fadnavis meets Shinde ahead of crucial BJP meet

Fadnavis meets Shinde ahead of crucial BJP meet

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Ahead of the crucial legislature party meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis met with caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday, the first in-person meeting since their discussions in Delhi last week for government formation.

What Does RBI Want To Discuss With Private Banks?

What Does RBI Want To Discuss With Private Banks?

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Senior bankers anticipate discussions on issues related to technology, cyber security, and customer protection.

Shinde signals exit from power as Fadnavis aide visits

Shinde signals exit from power as Fadnavis aide visits

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

The name of the Maharashtra chief minister will be announced on Wednesday, a day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government, after the Bharatiya Janata Party elects its legislature party leader, a senior functionary said on Monday.

Nirmala, Kejriwal take COVID-19 vaccine

Nirmala, Kejriwal take COVID-19 vaccine

Rediff.com4 Mar 2021

Here's a look at just some of the bigwigs who took the anti-Covid jab.

Will RBI's new Guv usher a growth-propping rate cut in 2025?

Will RBI's new Guv usher a growth-propping rate cut in 2025?

Rediff.com22 Dec 2024

The RBI under former governor Shaktikanta Das resisted pressures to cut interest rates through 2024 as it kept its 'Arjuna's eye' trained on inflation, but the central bank under a new detail-oriented head will soon have to take a call if it can continue sacrificing growth. Das, a career bureaucrat who in 2016 oversaw Prime Minister Narendra Modi's highly disruptive demonetisation move, left a lasting legacy as he demitted office towards the end of 2024 after expertly navigating monetary policy for six years, the highlight of which was steering India's recovery through the pandemic.

Prez poll: Nirmala votes wearing PPE kit, Sunny Deol among absentees

Prez poll: Nirmala votes wearing PPE kit, Sunny Deol among absentees

Rediff.com19 Jul 2022

Bharatiya Janata Party MPs Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dhotre were among those who missed casting their votes in the presidential poll on Monday.

ATMs to loans: All eyes on the road for finance world

ATMs to loans: All eyes on the road for finance world

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

In the Union Budget for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had held forth on the need for better governance and investor protection in the banking sector. She had proposed certain amendments to the Reserve Bank of India Act (RBI Act), 1934; the Banking Regulation Act (BR Act), 1949; and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970.

Cabinet clears Union Budget 2024-25

Cabinet clears Union Budget 2024-25

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the full Budget for 2024-25, sources said.

Can't accept FDI blindly, need safeguards: Sitharaman

Can't accept FDI blindly, need safeguards: Sitharaman

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

India will place restrictions on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the national interest to ensure safeguards because of its location in a highly sensitive neighbourhood, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during an interactive session at the Wharton Business School in the US on Tuesday. "I cannot blindly accept FDI simply because we need investment, unmindful of where it is coming from. "We want business, we want investment, but we also need some safeguards, because India is located in a neighbourhood that is very, very sensitive," Sitharaman said.

Will RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das get an extension?

Will RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das get an extension?

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

The December meeting of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will start on Wednesday even as there is no clarity on whether Governor Shaktikanta Das, the chair of the panel, will continue in office after his term ends next week. The outcome of the meeting will be announced on Friday by Das at 10 in the morning.

Budget: Rs 3 lakh crore for schemes benefitting women

Budget: Rs 3 lakh crore for schemes benefitting women

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

For promoting women-led development, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the Budget carries an allocation of more than Rs 3 lakh crore for schemes benefitting women and girls.

Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0 will start from Oct 1

Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0 will start from Oct 1

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

The government has notified October 1 as the starting date for direct tax dispute resolution scheme Vivad Se Vishwas 2.0. Vivad Se Vishwas scheme 2.0 was originally announced in Budget 2024-25 presented in July for resolution of certain income tax disputes pending appeal.

Govt withdraws equalisation levy of 2%: FinMin

Govt withdraws equalisation levy of 2%: FinMin

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The government on Tuesday announced withdrawal of the 2 per cent equalisation levy or digital tax on overseas e-commerce supplies.

'Would like to move on': Annapoorna Hotel on owner's video with FinMin

'Would like to move on': Annapoorna Hotel on owner's video with FinMin

Rediff.com15 Sep 2024

Sri Annapoorna Hotel on Saturday appealed to the people to put to rest unnecessary assumptions and political misunderstanding after a video of its owner apologising to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over his remarks on Goods and Services Tax (GST) went viral on September 13.

Govt announces 9 priorities in Budget

Govt announces 9 priorities in Budget

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced nine priorities in the Union Budget 2024-25 for generating ample opportunities in the economy. The nine priorities include productivity, jobs, social justice, urban development, energy security, infrastructure, innovation and reforms.

Govt plans to skill 20 lakh youth over 5 years

Govt plans to skill 20 lakh youth over 5 years

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The government on Tuesday announced a new centrally-sponsored scheme for skilling 20 lakh youth over the next five years. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2024-25. The minister said that model skilling loan scheme will be revised to facilitate loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh.

Budget 2024: What economists want from Nirmalaji

Budget 2024: What economists want from Nirmalaji

Rediff.com20 Jun 2024

The Budget for 2024-25 should focus on employment generation, besides promoting the manufacturing sector, economists attending the pre-Budget consultation meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here on Wednesday said. The meeting was attended by National Co-convenor Swadeshi Jagran Manch Ashwani Mahajan, Director and Chief Executive of the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development (ISID) Nagesh Kumar, and TCA Anant among others.

Govt to undertake comprehensive review of Income Tax Act: FM

Govt to undertake comprehensive review of Income Tax Act: FM

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The government on Tuesday announced that it will undertake a comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act to make it easy to read. Presenting the Union Budget for 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also said the government will come out with SoP (standard operating procedure) for TDS defaults and simplify and rationalise compounding of such offences.

We Haven't Seen This In 39 Years!

We Haven't Seen This In 39 Years!

Rediff.com22 Aug 2024

Dr T V Somanathan is the first finance secretary to be appointed Cabinet secretary since 1985. His appointment at this juncture seems to carry much meaning for the forthcoming trajectory of reforms and restructuring of India's steel frame.

155,000 Apply For 91,000 Internships

155,000 Apply For 91,000 Internships

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

A shortlist using artificial intelligence would be prepared to identify eligible candidates and match them to the suitable internship opportunity. The shortlist would be shared with the companies on Tuesday, October 15.

Capital gains exemption limit to be hiked: Sitharaman

Capital gains exemption limit to be hiked: Sitharaman

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the government plans to raise capital gains exemption limit on certain financial assets to Rs 1.25 lakh per year for middle and upper middle class.

Budget: How Sitharaman plans to boost the MSME sector

Budget: How Sitharaman plans to boost the MSME sector

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The government will come out with a credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs to facilitate term loans without collateral or third party guarantee, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. Presenting her seventh straight Union Budget, she also said that public sector banks to build in-house capability for credit assessment of MSMEs.

India To Go For Small Modular Reactors

India To Go For Small Modular Reactors

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

The Indian government has come out with a nice name for its tried and tested 220MW pressurised heavy water reactor -- Bharat Small Reactor.

Watch Raj Kapoor's Films On OTT

Watch Raj Kapoor's Films On OTT

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

The world is celebrating Raj Kapoor's birth centenary, but when was the last time you watched an RK film?

28% GST on online gaming spiked revenue by 412%: Sitharaman

28% GST on online gaming spiked revenue by 412%: Sitharaman

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that GST collection from online gaming has increased 412 per cent in six months from October 1, 2023, when 28 per cent tax was levied on these services. Briefing media on the decisions taken at the 54th meeting of the GST Council, Sitharaman said the status on revenue collection from casinos, online gaming and horse races after six months of implementation of 28 per cent GST was presented to the Council. "The revenue from online gaming has increased by 412 per cent and reached Rs 6,909 crore in just for six months.

Survey on how India can build quality infrastructure

Survey on how India can build quality infrastructure

Rediff.com22 Jul 2024

A higher level of private sector financing and resource mobilisation from new sources will be crucial for India to build quality infrastructure, according to the Economic Survey 2023-24. The Economic Survey 2023-24 was tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday.