News for 'Finance Commission Report'

FATF retains Pak in 'grey list'; asks it to prosecute Azhar, Saeed

FATF retains Pak in 'grey list'; asks it to prosecute Azhar, Saeed

Rediff.com25 Jun 2021

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Friday retained Pakistan on its 'grey list' for failing to check money laundering, leading to terror financing, and asked Islamabad to investigate and prosecute senior leaders and commanders of United Nations-designated terror groups, including Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.

Why Has RBI Scrapped Polymer Currency Notes Idea?

Why Has RBI Scrapped Polymer Currency Notes Idea?

Rediff.com9 Mar 2022

The RBI has shelved its plan for polymer notes more than a decade after it invited interest from global manufacturers for one billion pieces of Rs 10 denomination polymer banknotes, reveals Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Of power, privatisation and politics

Of power, privatisation and politics

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

As the Centre pushes reforms in the power sector, especially for the beleaguered electricity distribution segment, several states, especially those ruled by Opposition parties, are clamouring against it. Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerela have voiced their reservations against the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003. The irony is the states opposing the amendments on the ground of threat of privatisation already have private partnerships in power supply. The proposed Bill was slated to be placed on the floor of Parliament in the Monsoon session. But it still awaits Cabinet approval amid several states complaining that they have been not consulted on the issue.

Govt extends ED director S K Mishra's tenure by a year

Govt extends ED director S K Mishra's tenure by a year

Rediff.com17 Nov 2021

The government on Wednesday extended the tenure of Enforcement Directorate Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra by a year till November 18, 2022, days after the Centre brought ordinances to allow ED and Central Bureau of Investigation directors to occupy the office for up to five years.

Shah promises to 'respect' allies, says will bring 'new friends' in NDA

Shah promises to 'respect' allies, says will bring 'new friends' in NDA

Rediff.com9 Jul 2018

The BJP's relations with some alliance partners, including its oldest ally the Shiv Sena, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United, Akali Dal and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party of Union minister Upendra Kushwaha, have been somewhat tense, and Shah's comments are being seen as an attempt to smooth their ruffled feathers.

Former governor slams govt for meddling in RBI affairs

Former governor slams govt for meddling in RBI affairs

Rediff.com9 Feb 2019

'There is merit in keeping the central bank's balance sheet strong if the government's fiscal balance sheet is weak.'

As fuel prices skyrocket, it's the Centre who earned the most

As fuel prices skyrocket, it's the Centre who earned the most

Rediff.com8 Jun 2018

The finance minister has labelled about 65 per cent of the fuel excise revenue as cess, including the restructured road and infrastructure cess

Gross tax to GDP ratio dips to 10.9% in FY'19: Survey

Gross tax to GDP ratio dips to 10.9% in FY'19: Survey

Rediff.com4 Jul 2019

Revenue buoyancy of GST will be key to improve the resource position of both central and state governments.

Budget: Rs 4.78 lakh crore allocated for defence

Budget: Rs 4.78 lakh crore allocated for defence

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

Excluding the pension outgo, the allocation in the Union Budget for the armed forces stands at Rs 3.62 lakh crore.

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

The curious case of $1-billion SBI loan to debt ridden-Sri Lanka

Rediff.com31 May 2022

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on March 17 had announced that State Bank of India (SBI) would extend a term loan of $1 billion to Sri Lanka, fully guaranteed by the Indian government, and this was part of India's financial aid to the troubled island nation. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted saying by news agency PTI that the loan would be used for importing food, medicines, and other essential items. "India has always stood with the people of Sri Lanka and we will continue to extend all possible support at this juncture.

Budget 2021: Experts waiting for a debt management road map

Budget 2021: Experts waiting for a debt management road map

Rediff.com22 Jan 2021

There are various estimates of India's debt to GDP ratio, but the consensus is that that it would be over 80 per cent at the end of the current fiscal year.

US, allies cut off Russian banks from SWIFT

US, allies cut off Russian banks from SWIFT

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is the world's main banking messaging service which links around 11,000 banks and institutions in more than 200 countries, including India.

Key social and welfare schemes face fiscal surgery

Key social and welfare schemes face fiscal surgery

Rediff.com1 Mar 2015

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley more than halved the central government's financial support.

Cong asks CAG to recuse from Rafale audit, cites conflict of interest

Cong asks CAG to recuse from Rafale audit, cites conflict of interest

Rediff.com10 Feb 2019

The opposition party also said that it would be improper on the part of Mehrishi to present the report in Parliament.

India slams Pak, OIC for raising Kashmir at UN Human Rights Council

India slams Pak, OIC for raising Kashmir at UN Human Rights Council

Rediff.com15 Sep 2021

India on Wednesday hit out at Pakistan and the OIC for raising the Kashmir issue at the UN Human Rights Commission and said the grouping has 'helplessly' allowed itself to be held 'hostage' by Islamabad.

GST rate will be much more diluted than 27%: Jaitley

GST rate will be much more diluted than 27%: Jaitley

Rediff.com6 May 2015

The final rate will be worked out by the GST Council, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday.

Lokpal gets 4,244 complaints till Jan, over 80% jump from 2020-21

Lokpal gets 4,244 complaints till Jan, over 80% jump from 2020-21

Rediff.com3 Mar 2022

A total of 2,355 complaints (including format and non-format) were received through online/offline and email during 2020-21.

'Modi government is receptive to creating consensus'

'Modi government is receptive to creating consensus'

Rediff.com6 Apr 2015

The Biju Janata Dal will not oppose the government simply for the sake of opposing it, BJD Member of Parliament Bhratruhari Mahtab tells Aditi Phadnis.

Assam: Gogoi wants more funds, not visits by Union ministers

Assam: Gogoi wants more funds, not visits by Union ministers

Rediff.com27 Jun 2015

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has stated that backward state of Assam and the Northeast region as a while need more fund from the Centre instead of frequent visits of Union ministers, a new and unprecedented trend since Independence.

Gehlot, Raje, Chandrabhan file nominations for Raj polls

Gehlot, Raje, Chandrabhan file nominations for Raj polls

Rediff.com11 Nov 2013

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Vasundhara Raje and Pradesh Congress Committee president Chandrabhan were among 861 candidates who filed their nomination papers for the Assembly elections on Monday.

ED arrests Jharkhand mining secretary Pooja Singhal

ED arrests Jharkhand mining secretary Pooja Singhal

Rediff.com11 May 2022

Sources claimed that Singhal was "evasive" in her replies and hence was arrested.

Gogoi slams Narendra Modi, calls him 'irresponsible'

Gogoi slams Narendra Modi, calls him 'irresponsible'

Rediff.com10 Feb 2014

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday took on Narendra Modi today saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate was 'irresponsible' and had made 'wrong statements' at his rally two days ago.

PM Modi asks judiciary to avoid 'perception-driven' verdicts

PM Modi asks judiciary to avoid 'perception-driven' verdicts

Rediff.com5 Apr 2015

Advising judiciary to avoid "perception-driven" verdicts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said it should have an internal mechanism of "self-assessment" as judges are considered "divine" and seldom face any criticism unlike the political class.

Narayanasamy declines to be CM if Cong wins Puducherry

Narayanasamy declines to be CM if Cong wins Puducherry

Rediff.com30 Mar 2021

He also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party wanted to create a Delhi-like situation in Puducherry and take power away from an elected government.

Why Budget 2018 won't be populist

Why Budget 2018 won't be populist

Rediff.com29 Dec 2017

The extra borrowing implies Jaitley will have extra spending space in the Union Budget for FY19, the last full one before the 2019 general election

60% voting till 5 pm in second phase of UP polls

60% voting till 5 pm in second phase of UP polls

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

Polling across 55 assembly constituencies assembly in nine districts got off to sluggish start at 7 am due to the cold and fog at several places.

Free vaccine promise doesn't violate poll code: EC

Free vaccine promise doesn't violate poll code: EC

Rediff.com31 Oct 2020

Responding to a complaint by Right to Information activist Saket Gokhale, the commission said it has found no violation of the provisions of the model code in the issue.

'Unlike UP...': Rahul's counter to BJP on Punjab rape

'Unlike UP...': Rahul's counter to BJP on Punjab rape

Rediff.com24 Oct 2020

"Unlike in UP, the governments of Punjab and Rajasthan are not denying that the girl was raped, threatening her family and blocking the course of justice. If they do, I will go there to fight for justice," he tweeted.

Unified MCD comes into existence, Gyanesh Bharti new commissioner

Unified MCD comes into existence, Gyanesh Bharti new commissioner

Rediff.com22 May 2022

With the special officer and the new commissioner taking charge, the exercise to reshuffle and reorganise the municipal staff will begin.

India-focused funds may soon get fast approval from Mauritius

India-focused funds may soon get fast approval from Mauritius

Rediff.com7 Oct 2020

Market observers also said the approvals depended a lot on the funds themselves, and the extent to which they followed the new norms introduced last year.

NEP Opens Doors For Foreign Universities

NEP Opens Doors For Foreign Universities

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

'We are receiving a steady stream of interest from well-established foreign universities.'

Highlights of Union Budget 2021-22

Highlights of Union Budget 2021-22

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday presented the Budget for 2021-22 in the Lok Sabha that is expected to provide relief to the pandemic-hit common man as well as focus more on driving economic recovery through higher spending on healthcare, infrastructure and defence amid rising tensions with neighbours, As India emerges from the COVID-19 crisis, the ninth Budget under the Modi government, including an interim one, is widely expected to focus on boosting spending on job creation and rural development, generous allocations for development schemes, putting more money in the hands of the average taxpayer and easing rules to attract foreign investments.

PMO directs ministries to counter Cong charges against HRD dept

PMO directs ministries to counter Cong charges against HRD dept

Rediff.com29 May 2015

The HRD ministry is preparing a point-by-point rebuttal on charges that include infringing on the autonomy of higher educational institutions and a cut in the education budget.

NC cries foul as Omar Abdullah is questioned by ED in J&K Bank case

NC cries foul as Omar Abdullah is questioned by ED in J&K Bank case

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

The Enforcement Directorate questioned former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah for five hours on Thursday in connection with a case related to the purchase of a building by the J&K Bank about 12 years ago when he was in office, officials said in New Delhi.

Forex-starved Sri Lanka runs out of cash to buy fuel

Forex-starved Sri Lanka runs out of cash to buy fuel

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

Sri Lankan government on Monday admitted that it has run out of cash to buy fuel as pumps in most filling stations across the country have run dry, exacerbating the deepening foreign-exchange crisis that has crippled the island nation's economy.

What was Pratip Chaudhuri's crime?

What was Pratip Chaudhuri's crime?

Rediff.com23 Nov 2021

The account turned bad before Chaudhari took over as SBI chairman and the asset was sold to AARC following an open bidding process, months after Chaudhari retired, explains Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

FM allocates nearly Rs 40 crore for Lokpal

FM allocates nearly Rs 40 crore for Lokpal

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

A total of Rs 39.67 crore has been allocated to the Lokpal for the next fiscal, according to Union Budget 2021-22 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Will the entry of PEs into banks lead to better governance?

Will the entry of PEs into banks lead to better governance?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

Private equity (PE) is set to play a bigger role in banks. Of 21 recommendations accepted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) out of 31 made by its Internal Working Group (IWG), its stance on non-promoter holdings in private banks is seen with excitement, though it doesn't refer to PEs explicitly. On non-promoter holdings in these banks, the RBI said this will be capped at 10 per cent of the paid-up voting equity share capital in the case "of natural persons and non-financial institutions and entities"; and "at 15 per cent for all categories of financial institutions, entities, supranational institutions, public sector undertaking, or the government." While this is a modification of the IWG's stance for the non-promoter holding in banks at up to 15 per cent, it does open up a huge window for PEs, all the same. This is because, while the RBI has remained silent on the eligibility of industrial houses for bank licences, fresh high-quality capital in large amounts can only come from PEs.

Visionary Budget or worse than Pranab Mukherjee's?

Visionary Budget or worse than Pranab Mukherjee's?

Rediff.com3 Mar 2021

The sad truth is that the debt-to-GDP ratio will shoot up close to 90 per cent in the coming year, and the fiscal deficit glide path does not promise to reduce it substantially any time soon, predicts Mihir S Sharma.

64.42% voting in 2nd phase of UP polls, says EC

64.42% voting in 2nd phase of UP polls, says EC

Rediff.com15 Feb 2022

Saharanpur recorded a turnout of 71.13 per cent, Bijnor 65.91, Moradabad 67.26, Sambhal 62.87, Rampur 64.26, Amroha 71.98, Budaun 59.24, Bareilly 61.67 and Shahjahanpur 59.34 per cent, a statement issued by the election office said in Lucknow on Tuesday.