News for '-north-blocks'

Audit norms: RBI, govt not on same page

Audit norms: RBI, govt not on same page

Rediff.com8 Jun 2021

North Block is concerned that when India is trying to attract more investment, putting up restrictions on audit firms could create an avoidable bad advertisement.

Mamata meets Shah, raises Assam NRC issue

Mamata meets Shah, raises Assam NRC issue

Rediff.com19 Sep 2019

"I have not come to discuss about the NRC in West Bengal, I have come to discuss about the NRC in Assam," Banerjee said after the meeting.

Pix: New tunes, drone show among many firsts in Beating Retreat

Pix: New tunes, drone show among many firsts in Beating Retreat

Rediff.com29 Jan 2022

From the drones show to projection mapping show, this year's ceremony also presented quite a few firsts.

Govt must focus on telecom sector's sustainability: Sunil Mittal

Govt must focus on telecom sector's sustainability: Sunil Mittal

Rediff.com19 Feb 2020

The telecom industry, he said, is vital to the nation and the digital agenda of the government.

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.

Portfolio rejigs of RBI deputy governors soon

Portfolio rejigs of RBI deputy governors soon

Rediff.com10 Jan 2019

Given the pressure from India Inc and the banking fraternity, it is surmised that the portfolio rejig will take place before April.

The bizarre tale of Cairn retro tax

The bizarre tale of Cairn retro tax

Rediff.com6 Mar 2022

The levy of retrospective tax on the UK's Cairn Energy Plc is a tale of bizarre twists and turns that saw its attached shares being sold in May 2018 amid the passing of the baton from a full-time finance minister to interim one and the talks at the highest level to resolve the dispute, to claims that levy of back taxes was a result of an investigation into Panama Papers leak. The government late last month refunded about Rs 7,900 crore it had collected from selling residual shares of the British firm in its erstwhile India unit, seizing dividend and withholding tax refunds, to settle an eight-year-old dispute that had tarred the country's reputation as an investment destination. But, this did not come about easily. For seven years, the establishment vehemently justified in courts and outside seeking of Rs 10,247 crore in back taxes plus interest and penalty from a firm that gave India its biggest onshore oil discovery.

Centre recalls WB chief secretary after PM-Mamata meet row

Centre recalls WB chief secretary after PM-Mamata meet row

Rediff.com28 May 2021

Bandyopadhyay, a 1987-batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre, was scheduled to retire on May 31 after completion of 60 years of age. However, he was granted a three-month extension following a nod from the Centre.

What has gone wrong in the Northeast?

What has gone wrong in the Northeast?

Rediff.com18 Aug 2021

The Assam-Mizoram violence is an outcome of BJP trying too hard to 'integrate' distinct northeastern states, explains Shekhar Gupta.

How cash-starved Modi govt plans to prune expenditure

How cash-starved Modi govt plans to prune expenditure

Rediff.com28 Aug 2019

'If the current mood in North Block, headquarters of the finance ministry, is anything to go by, the government will now keep a closer watch on all kinds of schemes and projects undertaken by different central ministries. 'The next six months will determine which central schemes will have to be wound up and which ones will survive the axe,' says A K Bhattacharya.

The 10 pm Tuesday raid that rocked the CBI

The 10 pm Tuesday raid that rocked the CBI

Rediff.com24 Oct 2018

Around 10 pm, teams of about 15-16 officers entered the compound of the headquarters and history was made.

Why Dhoni declined to inaugurate the 'Dhoni Pavilion'

Why Dhoni declined to inaugurate the 'Dhoni Pavilion'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2019

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is quintessentially a modest man and no wonder he has politely declined to inaugurate the pavilion named after him at the JSCA Stadium, ahead of India's third ODI against Australia.

What Sitharaman did after becoming the finance minister

What Sitharaman did after becoming the finance minister

Rediff.com3 Jun 2019

This is not her first stint in North Block or in leading a major economic ministry. She started Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term as minister of state for finance, was made the commerce minister, and then became the defence minister.

Piyush Goyal to meet PSB chiefs on Monday ahead of Budget

Piyush Goyal to meet PSB chiefs on Monday ahead of Budget

Rediff.com25 Jan 2019

Goyal is expected to discuss the targets for the banks for 2019-20, as well as priority sector lending, recovery on non-performing assets, and the bankruptcy proceedings of various companies, which owe money to the banks.

FinMin asks RBI to ensure a higher dividend for govt in FY22

FinMin asks RBI to ensure a higher dividend for govt in FY22

Rediff.com25 Feb 2021

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has assured Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that the Rs 12.05-trillion gross borrowing programme for FY22 will go through smoothly.

Top bureaucrat takes a jibe at RBI

Top bureaucrat takes a jibe at RBI

Rediff.com3 Nov 2018

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Garg is the finance ministry's primary liaison with the RBI.

When Pranab clashed with Manmohan, twice

When Pranab clashed with Manmohan, twice

Rediff.com8 Sep 2020

Pranab Mukherjee's stewardship of the economy will stand out as much for the manner in which he managed controversies as for creating quite a few of them, says A K Bhattacharya.

Mamata defied protocol, misleading on chief secy row: Govt sources

Mamata defied protocol, misleading on chief secy row: Govt sources

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee defied protocol in a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the post-cyclonic situation in the state and is misleading on the controversy surrounding chief secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, said Government of India (GoI) sources.

Heritage buildings won't be demolished under Central vista: Govt

Heritage buildings won't be demolished under Central vista: Govt

Rediff.com31 May 2021

While the main building of the National Archives will remain intact, its annexe will be demolished and a new building will be constructed, officials said.

TDP MPs gherao Shinde, demand inclusion of all stakeholders in GoM

TDP MPs gherao Shinde, demand inclusion of all stakeholders in GoM

Rediff.com19 Oct 2013

Four Telugu desam Party members of Parliament on Saturday gheraoed Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde outside his North Block office and demanded inclusion in the GoM on Telangana of representatives from the joint action committee protesting against the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

New dynamic lighting illuminates North, South Block

New dynamic lighting illuminates North, South Block

Rediff.com11 Oct 2017

The President's House will also be lit with such a system within three months, an official said.

Tension between FinMin and RBI on the cards

Tension between FinMin and RBI on the cards

Rediff.com2 Mar 2010

The FM's proposal on new banks and a Financial Stability and Development Council could spark tension with RBI.

Mamata writes to PM, says won't release chief secy

Mamata writes to PM, says won't release chief secy

Rediff.com31 May 2021

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to withdraw the Centre's order recalling Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, and said her government 'is not releasing' the top bureaucrat.

Archway to history: India Gate turns 100

Archway to history: India Gate turns 100

Rediff.com11 Feb 2021

The 42-metre-high sandstone monument, sometimes compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was laid down by Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught.

Indrani dubs Chidambaram's arrest as 'good news'

Indrani dubs Chidambaram's arrest as 'good news'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2019

"His (Chidambaram) arrest is good news. He is now cornered from all sides," Indrani Mukerjea told reporters in a sessions court where she was produced to attend trial in the case of killing of her daughter Sheena Bora.

Tatas win contract to build new Parliament building for Rs 861.9 cr

Tatas win contract to build new Parliament building for Rs 861.9 cr

Rediff.com16 Sep 2020

The new Parliament building will be constructed close to the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project, and it is expected to be completed in 21 months.

Amit Shah tests positive for COVID-19, admitted to hospital

Amit Shah tests positive for COVID-19, admitted to hospital

Rediff.com2 Aug 2020

'My health is fine but I am getting admitted to hospital on advice of doctors,' tweeted Shah after testing positive for COVID-19.

Enlist the army to fight the Naxalites!

Enlist the army to fight the Naxalites!

Rediff.com9 Apr 2021

'It is time to use the Indian military's decades-long expertise in fighting insurgency successfully,' advocates Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

We are paying for your misdeeds: Jaitley attacks Congress

We are paying for your misdeeds: Jaitley attacks Congress

Rediff.com9 Feb 2017

Insisting that Vijay Mallya was not given even "a rupee benefit" under the Modi government, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said that loans were reportedly given to the businessman during the previous United Progressive Alliance rule through intervention of the North Block, a reference to the finance ministry.

Can Shaktikanta Das be a peacemaker between RBI, govt?

Can Shaktikanta Das be a peacemaker between RBI, govt?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2018

If the new governor can think out of the box even as he signals that he can bat for the RBI cadre and respect its institutional memory, that will go a long way in getting out of the current impasse.

Despite rising Covid cases lockdowns are unlikely: RBI Guv

Despite rising Covid cases lockdowns are unlikely: RBI Guv

Rediff.com25 Mar 2021

The rising COVID-19 infections across the country are a matter of concern, but it may not impact the ongoing economic revival as one does not foresee lockdowns, Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Thursday. The economic revival will continue "unabated", Das said, asserting that there is no need for a downward revision of RBI's 10.5 per cent GDP growth forecast for FY22. Speaking at Times Network's India Economic Conclave, Das said, "We have 'insurance' to protect economic revival like a fast-paced vaccination drive, greater ability among people to follow COVID protocols", and one does not see lockdowns as well.

EXPLAINED: What's this row over now-retired Bengal Chief Secretary

EXPLAINED: What's this row over now-retired Bengal Chief Secretary

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

Following is the gist of the controversy over sudden transfer of West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, who retired on Monday, to Delhi and related rules.

Tripura, Mizoram sign pact for settlement of Bru tribals

Tripura, Mizoram sign pact for settlement of Bru tribals

Rediff.com16 Jan 2020

The deal was signed by representatives of Bru, the central, Tripura and Mizoram governments in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Under the agreement, over 30,000 Bru tribals will live in Tripura permanently, Shah said.

As FM, Jaitley will be remembered for fiscal rectitude

As FM, Jaitley will be remembered for fiscal rectitude

Rediff.com25 Aug 2019

For his first Budget in July 2014, Jaitley inherited a fiscal deficit target of 4.1 per cent of GDP. From 4.1 per cent, the fiscal deficit came down to 3.4 per cent by 2018-19, with two slippages from the budgeted targets, in 2017-18 and 2018-19, the former due to introduction of the GST, says Arup Roychoudhury.

Planning Commission: From glorious days to an untimely end

Planning Commission: From glorious days to an untimely end

Rediff.com19 Aug 2014

The curtains have come down on the organisation that, for 64 years, was responsible for the country's planned development.

Join hands to battle COVID: Shah tells all-party meet

Join hands to battle COVID: Shah tells all-party meet

Rediff.com15 Jun 2020

Shah apprised the leaders of four major political parties of Delhi on the steps taken to check the coronavirus pandemic and sought their views on the issue, a home ministry official said. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have attended the meeting.

Jaitley re-appointed as Finance Minister

Jaitley re-appointed as Finance Minister

Rediff.com23 Aug 2018

He underwent a renal transplant on May 14 and on the same day, his ministerial charges were given to Piyush Goyal on an interim basis.

'New govt should have balanced approach to tax administration'

'New govt should have balanced approach to tax administration'

Rediff.com28 Apr 2014

Accountability must be linked to minimising infructuous demands and tracking recovery

Bengal Guv 'apprises' PM, Shah of situation in state

Bengal Guv 'apprises' PM, Shah of situation in state

Rediff.com10 Jun 2019

Asked about the possibility of imposition of President's rule in West Bengal, he said there was no such discussion during his meetings.