News for 'Department of Finance'

Kailash Gehlot presents Delhi budget, remembers Sisodia

Kailash Gehlot presents Delhi budget, remembers Sisodia

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the preceding year.

CBI searches home of Satya Pal Malik's ex-aide, others in insurance scam

CBI searches home of Satya Pal Malik's ex-aide, others in insurance scam

Rediff.com17 May 2023

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday conducted searches at the premises of Sunak Bali, who was an aide of Satya Pal Malik when he was the governor of Jammu and Kashmir, and 11 other locations in Delhi and Rajasthan in the alleged insurance scam case, officials said.

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.

Airlines told to share international fliers' PNR with customs

Airlines told to share international fliers' PNR with customs

Rediff.com9 Aug 2022

With this, India joins 60 other countries that collect PNR details of international passengers.

'Govt equity in Vodafone Idea hinges on stock recovery'

'Govt equity in Vodafone Idea hinges on stock recovery'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2022

The conversion of interest into equity stake for the government in Vodafone Idea (Vi) will be decided after the telecommunications (telecom) company's stock price stabilises above Rs 10, India's largest mobile tower installation company Indus Towers has said in its second-quarter report. The board of Vi had, in January, approved the conversion of Rs 16,130 crore worth of interest on adjusted gross revenue dues into equity for the government. This will give the government around 33 per cent stake in Vi.

India sets ball rolling for monetising govt assets

India sets ball rolling for monetising govt assets

Rediff.com16 Mar 2021

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (Dipam) has asked ministries, government departments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to send a list of assets that can be monetised under the proposed National Monetisation Pipeline. The list will be used for creation of an asset monetisation dashboard, which will keep a track of such assets. The government, meanwhile, has asked CRISIL to prepare a road map for monetising assets of PSUs and government departments.

'Rajapaksa is unlikely to depart the political stage'

'Rajapaksa is unlikely to depart the political stage'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2015

'The path to a resolution of the ethnic conflict is likely to be complicated and controversial with the majority Sinhalese community, and will become less likely if delayed.' 'It will certainly give Rajapaksa fresh political oxygen with which to revive himself and rally the opposition.'

Financial stability, waste management top Delhi municipality's agenda

Financial stability, waste management top Delhi municipality's agenda

Rediff.com23 May 2022

According to senior officials, nine additional commissioners have been allocated departments and office spaces at different floors of the Civic Centre, while three deputy commissioners were also appointed.

Probe report mentions Sameer Wankhede's Rolex watch, properties

Probe report mentions Sameer Wankhede's Rolex watch, properties

Rediff.com19 May 2023

The SET's findings have now been taken on record by the Central Bureau of Investigation which recently raided the 2008-batch Indian Revenue Service officer after it filed an FIR against him for corruption and alleged violation of rules in the raids that took place at the Cordelia cruise berthed at the Mumbai coast on October 2, 2021.

10% stake in HDFC Capital sold to ADIA for Rs 184 crore

10% stake in HDFC Capital sold to ADIA for Rs 184 crore

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

Mortgage firm HDFC Ltd on Wednesday announced sale of a 10 per cent stake in its private equity arm HDFC Capital Advisors to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) for about Rs 184 crore. ADIA is also the primary investor in the alternative investment funds managed by $3 billion-HDFC Capital. Set up in 2016, HDFC Capital is the investment manager to HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Funds 1, 2 and 3; and is aligned with the government's goal to increase housing supply and support the Pradhan MantriAwas Yojana - 'Housing for All' initiative, HDFC Ltd said in a statement.

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Pranab, Modi, Demonetisation

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

'Modi had not discussed demonetization with me prior to his announcement on 8 November 2016. 'I learnt of it along with the rest of the country. 'I was not surprised when he did not discuss the issue with me prior to making the public announcement. 'It fitted in with his style of making dramatic announcements.' A fascinating excerpt from Pranab Mukherjee's The Presidential Years: 2012-2017.

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

The government on Wednesday asked ministries and departments to clear dues of debt-laden Air India immediately and henceforth purchase tickets only in cash. The government earlier this month decided to sell Air India to Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of salt-to-software conglomerate Tata group, for Rs 18,000 crore. The Department of Expenditure, under the Finance Ministry, in a 2009 order, had said that in cases of air travel (both domestic and international), including LTC where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials may travel only by Air India.

Do we need so many income tax staffers?

Do we need so many income tax staffers?

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

The preliminary processing of tax returns is already undertaken with the help of technology. There is now greater scope of using more technology to reduce the human interface even further, notes A K Bhattacharya.

FinMin to kick-start Budget 2022-23 exercise on October 12

FinMin to kick-start Budget 2022-23 exercise on October 12

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

The finance ministry will kick-start the exercise to prepare the Union Budget for financial year 2022-23 (FY23) from October 12, according to an official notification released on Monday. "The pre-Budget meetings as well as the meetings to discuss the revised estimates will start from October 12 and will continue till the second week of November," according to the Budget circular of the Department of Economic Affairs' Budget Division. The Union Budget is expected to be announced on February 1, as has been the practice of the past few years.

Vodafone Group applies for settlement of retro tax dispute

Vodafone Group applies for settlement of retro tax dispute

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

Vodafone further said it has "always been confident" that no tax is due on the company. The government in August enacted a law to end all retrospective taxation imposed on indirect transfer of Indian assets. The rules under the law seek to withdraw tax demands made using a 2012 retrospective legislation to tax the indirect transfer of Indian assets and also refund the amount paid in these cases without any interest. Asked if the company has filed an application with the Indian government to settle the retrospective tax dispute, a Vodafone spokesperson said, "We can confirm we have filed an application".

CBI calls J-K ex-governor Satya Pal Malik for questioning in insurance 'scam'

CBI calls J-K ex-governor Satya Pal Malik for questioning in insurance 'scam'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2023

The Central Bureau of Investigation has asked former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik to answer certain queries in connection with an alleged insurance scam in the Union Territory, officials said on Friday.

5 changes that will impact your finances in 2015-16

5 changes that will impact your finances in 2015-16

Rediff.com6 Apr 2015

There will be higher charges for bank account-holders.

FBI finds more classified documents from Biden's home

FBI finds more classified documents from Biden's home

Rediff.com22 Jan 2023

The total number of classified documents found in the residences and private offices of Biden has now increased to nearly a dozen and a half. All documents, including from his term as vice president from 2009 to 2016, have now been taken into possession of federal agents.

'After the devastation of Covid, I had expected a higher budget for health'

'After the devastation of Covid, I had expected a higher budget for health'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

'...to address the serious faultlines that had got exposed during the pandemic.' 'If the economy is looking up this year, we could have been allocated an increase of at least 20%.'

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.

FIIs seek tax waiver, govt refuses to relent

FIIs seek tax waiver, govt refuses to relent

Rediff.com21 Apr 2015

The revenue department had sent notices to FIIs demanding 20 per cent MAT

J-K sacks 4 govt employees, bank manager for anti-national activities

J-K sacks 4 govt employees, bank manager for anti-national activities

Rediff.com15 Oct 2022

The dismissal of the five --most of whom have cases registered against them for terror activities -- was ordered under Article 311 of the Indian Constitution.

Why prices of petrol, diesel are likely to rise

Why prices of petrol, diesel are likely to rise

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

A proposal in the Union Budget 2022-23 to raise excise duty on dirtier, unblended retail petrol and diesel has met with some resistance from the petroleum ministry. However, finance ministry officials say no such communication arguing against the levy of extra duty on diesel has been received from the oil ministry. Until there are discussions between the two departments, the proposal will not be tweaked in the Finance Bill. The Rs 2 per litre additional excise duty proposed on unblended fuels in the Finance Bill will result in a uniform hike of diesel prices across the country from October 1.

'Biren Singh must step down and President's rule imposed immediately'

'Biren Singh must step down and President's rule imposed immediately'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

'The central government can stop further destruction... if they have the political will to do so.'

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh said it is a major step to place the right talent for the right role.

Jharkhand govt forms panel to probe ropeway accident

Jharkhand govt forms panel to probe ropeway accident

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

The committee will submit its report in two months and its chairperson can invite any expert of any institution in the country to help in the probe into the April 10 tragedy, a notification by Jharkhand tourism department said.

Support Agniveers with jobs after tenure, govt tells public sector banks

Support Agniveers with jobs after tenure, govt tells public sector banks

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

Department of financial services secretary Sanjay Malhotra held a meeting with heads of PSBs, insurance companies and financial institutions for identifying ways to support Agniveers on completion of their tenure of duty.

Infosys given time till Sep 15 to resolve I-T portal glitches

Infosys given time till Sep 15 to resolve I-T portal glitches

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday conveyed to Infosys CEO Salil Parekh in no uncertain terms the government's "deep disappointment and concern" over the continuing glitches in the new income tax filing portal and set September 15 as the deadline for the software major to resolve all snags. As glitches continued to mar the functioning of the portal even after over two months of its launch, Sitharaman summoned Infosys MD & CEO Parekh at her office here to know the reasons for not resolving the snags in the portal. A statement issued by the Income Tax Department said that during the meeting the finance minister emphasised that there is a need for putting in more resources and efforts on the part of Infosys so that the much delayed delivery of agreed services is ensured.

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday allocated portfolios to the new ministers, keeping 14 departments with himself and giving home affairs to deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and health to other deputy O P Soni.

K V Kamath appointed chairperson of Rs 20,000-cr NaBFID

K V Kamath appointed chairperson of Rs 20,000-cr NaBFID

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

The government on Wednesday announced the appointment of veteran banker K V Kamath as chairperson of the newly set up Rs 20,000 crore development finance institution NaBFID to catalyse investment in the funds-starved infrastructure sector. Parliament had in March cleared the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill 2021 to support the development of long-term non-recourse infrastructure financing in India, including the development of the bonds and derivatives markets necessary for infrastructure financing.

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

Rediff.com10 Jan 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will soon start public consultation for a national retail trade policy, which is likely to include an insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection against losses caused by theft, accidents or natural calamities. The policy will also spell out ways to give traders access to low-cost finance, promote digital inclusion, and create necessary infrastructure to support them, a senior government official told Business Standard. This is expected to offer relief especially to traditional traders, who are facing stiff competition from large e-commerce players.

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Strengthening the portfolios of the home minister and the finance minister is a message that should not be missed, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Raising funds for jihad is treason, rules Lahore HC

Raising funds for jihad is treason, rules Lahore HC

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

Inciting the public to raise funds for jihad (holy war) is not allowed to individuals or any organisation in Pakistan and is considered as treason, the Lahore high court has ruled even as it dismissed appeals of two terrorists convicted for raising funds for a proscribed terror outfit.

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

Rediff.com11 May 2022

The number of times public sector undertakings (PSUs) have held conference calls with investors, their capital management, and debt financing are among the parameters that the Centre will use to judge their performance for the first time, a senior official in the know said. The government will evaluate PSUs for FY22 based on new parameters that were finalised by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in consultation with the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) last year, the official said. The government had included more conditions in the memorandum of understandings (MoUs) - used to set annual targets - that public sector enterprises sign with the DPE every year. These included a consistent dividend policy, which seeks to transfer dividends by PSUs every quarter; and market capitalisation or share price improvement over the sectoral index on an annual average basis for listed companies.

Vi's fundraising put on hold as govt delays equity call

Vi's fundraising put on hold as govt delays equity call

Rediff.com7 Dec 2022

Vodafone Idea's (Vi's) search for a lifeline has turned longer and tougher even as it continues to lose customers and delay vendor payments. Vi's much-needed Rs 1,600-crore fundraising plan got stuck due to the government's silence on picking up a proposed 33 per cent equity in the financially stressed telco. The development spells further trouble for the company, which has an overall debt pile of Rs 2.2 trillion, including hefty dues to the government.

Govt saved Rs 10,000 crore in interest costs in FY22

Govt saved Rs 10,000 crore in interest costs in FY22

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

Union finance secretary T V Somanathan recently said the Centre had saved Rs 10,000 crore in FY22 on interest payments after adopting new accounting mechanisms for central government agencies and centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) for state governments. Speaking at an event, Somanathan said due to these, there was an unspent balance of Rs 1.2 trillion with state agencies from CSS as on March 31, 2022. This means this amount will be reduced from the Centre's borrowing for now and it can be considered a short-term saving for the exchequer.

Faceless Assessment Scheme To CHANGE?

Faceless Assessment Scheme To CHANGE?

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

The finance ministry has initiated an internal survey of the faceless regime to examine its effectiveness.

Taxmen clear the air on TDS levy on cryptos

Taxmen clear the air on TDS levy on cryptos

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued detailed guidelines on facilitating tax deducted at source (TDS) on virtual digital assets (VDA) or crypto assets, under which date of transfer and mode of payment will have to be specified. From July 1, TDS of 1 per cent will be levied on payments towards virtual digital assets or cryptocurrencies beyond Rs 10,000 in a year, as the Finance Act 2022 has introduced Section 194S in the income tax (I-T) Act. The department has explained different scenarios through six questions to remove difficulties.

Rishi Sunak warns of 'very difficult decisions' in first cabinet meet

Rishi Sunak warns of 'very difficult decisions' in first cabinet meet

Rediff.com26 Oct 2022

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday held his first Cabinet meeting with the new team as he prepares for his debut at Prime Minister's Questions, the first big test of Britain's Indian-origin premier's leadership.

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

The finance ministry on Thursday raised concerns over the possible impact of El Nio conditions on India this year, saying if recent forecasts came true, the country could see lower agricultural output and higher inflation. "Some meteorological agencies predict the return of El Nio conditions in India this year. "If these predictions are accurate, then monsoon rains could be deficient, leading to lower agricultural output and higher prices," the ministry said in its monthly economic review.