News for '-the-union'

Govt proposes to lower debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6%

Govt proposes to lower debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6%

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The government has proposed to lower debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6 per cent in FY27, from 56.1 per cent in the current fiscal year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday.

Showdown in Parliament as Rahul, Kharge 'not allowed to speak'

Showdown in Parliament as Rahul, Kharge 'not allowed to speak'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day following a dispute between the government and the opposition regarding Rahul Gandhi's request to speak before the Union Budget discussion commenced.

Mumbai mayor vows action against illegal Bangladeshis; Uddhav Sena says...

Mumbai mayor vows action against illegal Bangladeshis; Uddhav Sena says...

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has vowed to take strict action against illegal immigrants who have obtained fake birth certificates, as well as the agents and officials who assisted them. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has already cancelled 237 fake birth certificates and is working to recover the original documents.

Agencies bust 8,000 mule accounts in J-K; warn of terror funding risk

Agencies bust 8,000 mule accounts in J-K; warn of terror funding risk

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Security agencies have uncovered a vast network of 'mule accounts' in Jammu and Kashmir used to launder money for global scams, raising concerns about potential links to separatist activities.

'Nationwide network?' SC asks Centre to probe missing children cases

'Nationwide network?' SC asks Centre to probe missing children cases

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the central government to investigate the possibility of a nationwide network or state-specific groups involved in the increasing number of missing children cases across India.

Small taxpayers get relief window for foreign asset disclosure

Small taxpayers get relief window for foreign asset disclosure

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed a six-month foreign asset disclosure scheme for small taxpayers like students, tech professionals and relocated NRIs as she presented the Union Budget 2026-27.

Gold, silver futures plummet 9% to hit lower circuit

Gold, silver futures plummet 9% to hit lower circuit

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Gold and silver prices plunged up to 9 per cent in futures trade on Sunday, hitting their lower circuit levels ahead of the Union Budget for 2026-27, as investors extended profit booking after the recent record-breaking rally.

Govt raises FY27 capex target to Rs 12.12 lakh cr

Govt raises FY27 capex target to Rs 12.12 lakh cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The government also proposes to set up risk guarantee fund for infrastructure sector, she added.

Budget 2026 boosts healthcare spend, drugs relief

Budget 2026 boosts healthcare spend, drugs relief

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The government on Sunday gave a strong push to upgradation and expansion of healthcare infrastructure, medical education and pharma sector with the Union Budget 2026-27 announcing a slew of steps, including those aimed at making India a global hub for allied healthcare professionals and biopharma manufacturing.

White-collar terror: Doctors formed 'Ansar Interim' to target J-K, beyond

White-collar terror: Doctors formed 'Ansar Interim' to target J-K, beyond

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a 'white-collar' terror module, revealing that doctors arrested in the case had been radicalized since 2016 and formed a new terror organization named 'Ansar Interim' to carry out subversive activities.

Equity Markets' Challenges: Weak Demand, High Valuation

Equity Markets' Challenges: Weak Demand, High Valuation

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Trade deals ease risks for Indian equities, but weak demand and stretched valuations raise questions over whether optimism -- especially in smallcaps -- can turn into a sustained bull run, points out Debashis Basu.

STT on futures hiked, share buyback taxed as capital gains

STT on futures hiked, share buyback taxed as capital gains

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The FM also said the government has proposed a joint panel of Corporate Affairs Ministry and CBDT for incorporation of income computation and disclosure standards.

HC seeks video access to actor Celina Jaitly's brother detained in UAE

HC seeks video access to actor Celina Jaitly's brother detained in UAE

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre to explore video conferencing options for an Indian citizen detained in the UAE, to facilitate legal assistance. The court is hearing a petition filed by the detainee's sister, actress Celina Jaitly, seeking legal representation for her brother.

Budget 2026: Lokpal gets Rs 30 crore

Budget 2026: Lokpal gets Rs 30 crore

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Lokpal, India's anti-corruption ombudsman, has been allocated Rs 30 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has been allocated Rs 54.56 crore.

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Gold prices are likely to trade firm next week as traders await key economic data, including US inflation numbers, for fresh cues on interest rate outlook, while silver may remain volatile amid shifting risk sentiment and speculative activity, analysts said.

Tejasvi Surya detained during Bengaluru Metro fare hike protest

Tejasvi Surya detained during Bengaluru Metro fare hike protest

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was detained for protesting against a metro fare hike in Bengaluru, demanding affordable public transport. The protest followed a statement by the Deputy Chief Minister and highlighted the issue of public transport costs.

Budget 2026: Prez Murmu offers 'Dahi-Cheeni' to Sitharaman

Budget 2026: Prez Murmu offers 'Dahi-Cheeni' to Sitharaman

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Sitharaman continues with the tradition she set in 2019, carrying the budget speech in a 'bahi-khata', which she used after dropping the briefcase tradition.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sitharaman took charge of the Finance Ministry on May 31, 2019, and has steered the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turmoil, making India the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Budget: Where the rupee comes from, where it goes

Budget: Where the rupee comes from, where it goes

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Around 24 paise will come from borrowings and other liabilities, 10 paise from non-tax revenue like disinvestment, and 2 paise from non-debt capital receipts, the Budget documents showed.

GIFT IFSC captures 65% of ECBs in FY26 on lower taxes, lighter rules

GIFT IFSC captures 65% of ECBs in FY26 on lower taxes, lighter rules

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Nearly two-thirds of external commercial borrowings (ECBs) raised so far in the ongoing financial year (2025-26/FY26) have been routed through Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), a sharp jump from the 36 per cent recorded in 2024-25.

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

How investors will benefit if banks start lending to Reits

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday proposed to allow banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with certain prudential safeguards to deepen the financing pool for the real estate sector.

11 Items That Got Cheaper Post-Budget

11 Items That Got Cheaper Post-Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

What items did Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman make cheaper?

Sitharaman takes part in customary halwa ceremony

Sitharaman takes part in customary halwa ceremony

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday participated in a traditional 'halwa' ceremony, marking the final stage for the preparation of the Union Budget 2026-27, to be unveiled on February 1 in the Lok Sabha.

6 Facts About The Budget You Didn't Know

6 Facts About The Budget You Didn't Know

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

With the Union Budget 2026, India's 74th, fast approaching, all eyes are once again on New Delhi's North Block as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is preparing to table it on February 1, 2026, marking her ninth Budget presentation in a row.

Supreme Court Clears Assam's Encroachment Drive

Supreme Court Clears Assam's Encroachment Drive

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The ruling comes against the backdrop of an intensified anti-encroachment campaign launched by the Assam government since May 2021.

Budget clubs IT services, offers 15.5% safe harbour to woo global firms

Budget clubs IT services, offers 15.5% safe harbour to woo global firms

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

India is a global leader in software development services, IT enabled services, knowledge process outsourcing services and contract R&D services relating to software development, Sitharaman said noting these business segments are quite inter-connected with each other.

Key factors that will drive the markets this week

Key factors that will drive the markets this week

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Inflation data, trading activity of foreign investors and global trends would dictate sentiment in the stock market this week, according to analysts.

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi said that had an INDIA Bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told US President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal.

With Nirmala Sitharaman In This Pic Are...

With Nirmala Sitharaman In This Pic Are...

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

We know what Mrs Sitharaman and Mr Chaudhary (who may soon be moving out of the finance ministry to head to Lucknow to take charge as president of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Uttar Pradesh unit) look like, but who are the others in these photographs?

FPIs invested Rs 8,100 cr in a week on US trade deal

FPIs invested Rs 8,100 cr in a week on US trade deal

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

After three consecutive months of heavy selling, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) turned net buyers in the first week of February, infusing more than Rs 8,100 crore in Indian equities, aided by improving risk sentiment, along with a trade deal with the US.

Govt plans to cut TCS rate to 2% for education, medical purposes

Govt plans to cut TCS rate to 2% for education, medical purposes

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed to reduce the tax collection at source (TCS) rate to 2 per cent for education and medical purposes under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) as well as on sale of overseas tour program package.

Budget 2026: Modest Relief For Students, Travellers

Budget 2026: Modest Relief For Students, Travellers

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

No income tax relief, but compliance burden eased for youth and middle class through lower TCS.

Oppn to meet Speaker before deciding on removal notice

Oppn to meet Speaker before deciding on removal notice

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

Opposition leaders are set to decide on giving notice for a resolution to remove the Lok Sabha Speaker after a meeting with Om Birla, following disputes over speaking rights and MP suspensions.

Rahul calls Ravneet Bittu 'traitor'; He responds with 'Desh ke dushman' jibe

Rahul calls Ravneet Bittu 'traitor'; He responds with 'Desh ke dushman' jibe

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The incident took place right outside Parliament's Makar Dwar, the main entrance which MPs take to enter the new Parliament building, where Gandhi was standing in solidarity with suspended Congress MPs, mostly from Punjab.

Big Labour Budget: 61% Unspent

Big Labour Budget: 61% Unspent

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Of the Rs 31,820.80 crore allocated to central sector schemes and projects, only Rs 11,868.05 crore was utilised, according to the revised estimates.

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Don't Expect Tax Relief In This Budget!

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

After the last Budget's announcement of a major tax relief for those earning an annual salary of less than Rs 12 lakh, there is not much that individuals can look forward to in the forthcoming Budget, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Congress party has strongly criticized the Union Budget, calling it 'lacklustre' and 'disappointing,' claiming it fails to address the needs of farmers, unemployed youth, and other key sectors.

'FIR or privilege motion, I will fight for farmers': Rahul Gandhi

'FIR or privilege motion, I will fight for farmers': Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being 'anti-farmer' and 'selling' the country through the India-US interim trade deal, vowing to stand strongly with farmers.

Trade union strike sees mixed response; normal life unaffected

Trade union strike sees mixed response; normal life unaffected

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

A nationwide strike called by central trade unions saw a mixed response across India, impacting various sectors and states differently, with some areas experiencing disruptions while others remained largely unaffected.

Gaurav Gogoi 'key player' in anti-India network: Himanta

Gaurav Gogoi 'key player' in anti-India network: Himanta

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi of being a key player in an anti-India network and his wife of being a Pakistani agent, leaving it to the 'people's court' to decide on Gogoi's activities against the country.