News for 'Finance Commission'

Religare Enterprises begins governance review of firm, subsidiaries

Religare Enterprises begins governance review of firm, subsidiaries

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL) on Monday notified the exchanges that its Board has commissioned a governance review of REL and its subsidiaries - Religare Finvest and Religare Housing Development Finance. Additionally, the Board has decided to approach the new promoters, the Burman Group, for immediate funding support to sustain operations of the company.

Finance panel outsources eco management job

Finance panel outsources eco management job

Rediff.com15 Apr 2008

The 13th Finance Commission has outsourced a major part of the exercise for devising ways to better manage ecology, environment in the North-East to two prominent organisations. The commission has entrusted two renowned institutes of the country -- The Energy and Resources Institute and the Bhopal-based Indian Institute of Forest Management -- with the job to explore ways to better manage ecology, environment and climate change consistent with sustainable development.

BJP slams Jairam Ramesh for 'live-tweeting' at all-party meet

BJP slams Jairam Ramesh for 'live-tweeting' at all-party meet

Rediff.com21 Jul 2024

BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said there is a certain propriety and protocol one associates with these all-party meetings.

Big blow for boxers not part of World Boxing

Big blow for boxers not part of World Boxing

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

With provisional recognition granted to World Boxing it is very unlikely for the very popular Olympic sport to miss out on the LA Games.

'3 Cs haunt Indian education': Sonia slams Centre over NEP

'3 Cs haunt Indian education': Sonia slams Centre over NEP

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Noting that these three Cs haunt Indian education today, the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson said in an article that this "carnage" of India's public education system must end.

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

'Prime Minister Modi Has Been Fiscally Conscious'

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'Spend, but create assets, spend but make sure that people benefit from it.' 'This has been a beautiful guiding principle. And I think as a finance minister I owe so much to the prime minister for keeping this path clear before us.'

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Where Would India Be Without Dr Singh?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

What stood out in his 15-year journey as a member of the political executive at the Centre was his glowing record as India's most successful and effective finance minister. Both as prime minister and finance minister, he understood the importance of gradualism, except when the economy or the polity was in a crisis.

Budget plans to complete 1 lakh homes in stalled projects

Budget plans to complete 1 lakh homes in stalled projects

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a fresh Rs 15,000 crore 'SWAMIH Fund' for completion of 1 lakh units in stalled housing projects across various cities, a move aimed at providing relief to distressed homebuyers whose investments are stuck. In November 2019, the Centre announced a stress fund named 'Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing' (SWAMIH), to complete stalled housing projects across India.

What CEC Rajiv Kumar plans to do after retirement

What CEC Rajiv Kumar plans to do after retirement

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, set to retire next month, plans to spend several months in solitude in the Himalayas. He also expressed a desire to teach underprivileged children, recalling his own humble beginnings. Kumar's tenure as CEC saw him oversee landmark elections, including the 16th Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections in 2022 and assembly elections in 11 states.

'Finance panel must be a permanent body'

'Finance panel must be a permanent body'

Rediff.com23 Nov 2004

World Bank along with economic think-tank National Institute for Public Finance and Policy have strongly pitched for making finance commission a permanent body like planning commission, although government has some reservations on it.

CEC Rajiv Kumar, a strong critic of exit polls, demits office

CEC Rajiv Kumar, a strong critic of exit polls, demits office

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Rajiv Kumar, the 25th chief election commissioner of India, has demitted office after a nearly three-year tenure marked by both electoral successes and allegations of bias from opposition parties. Kumar oversaw the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, among other major elections. During his tenure, he implemented reforms across various aspects of the Election Commission's functioning, including structural, technological, capacity development, communication, international cooperation, and administration. However, he faced criticism from opposition parties and activists on several issues, including the efficacy of Electronic Voting Machines, alleged fudging of voter data, and being "lenient" on the ruling BJP. While the Commission responded to the allegations, Kumar often defended himself and the poll authority through poetry. In his farewell address, Kumar expressed concerns about the timing of petitions raising doubts over poll processes and the impact of freebie promises on the fiscal health of the state. He also criticized the practice of showing early trends on counting day by news channels, calling it "nonsense". Kumar's tenure was marked by numerous controversies, with opposition parties and activists alleging bias and irregularities. While the Election Commission defended its actions, the allegations cast a shadow over his time in office.

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Gyanesh Kumar appointed as next CEC

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch Kerala Cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. Kumar, who was previously an Election Commissioner, will serve until January 26, 2029. His appointment comes amidst controversy as the Congress party demanded the government defer its decision until the Supreme Court concludes its hearing on a petition challenging the composition of the selection panel. Kumar's tenure will see him oversee several state assembly elections, including Bihar, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

71% drop in terror incidents under Modi, no cases in hinterland: Minister

71% drop in terror incidents under Modi, no cases in hinterland: Minister

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

India's Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, has announced a 71% decrease in terrorist incidents in the country under the Modi government. He credits a "zero tolerance" policy towards terrorism, which has resulted in no terror incidents in the hinterland. Rai also highlighted the National Investigative Agency's (NIA) successes, including the investigation of cases on foreign land and a conviction rate of 95.54%.

Private hospitals to boost cancer care, beds count

Private hospitals to boost cancer care, beds count

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

'Cancer incidence is projected to increase by 12.8 per cent by 2025 compared with 2020, necessitating more dedicated cancer treatment centres and specialised beds.'

For Bengal violence, Mamata blames Centre, BJP, BSF

For Bengal violence, Mamata blames Centre, BJP, BSF

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Border Security Force (BSF), central agencies, and the BJP of fanning tension in Murshidabad by allegedly facilitating cross-border influx from Bangladesh. She also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep the Union Home Ministry under control. Banerjee has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of three people killed during the violence and directed the state chief secretary to initiate a probe into the role of the BSF.

Revealed! How much money BJP spent on 2024 elections

Revealed! How much money BJP spent on 2024 elections

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spent Rs 1,737.68 crore for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, according to the expenditure report submitted to the Election Commission of India. A majority of the funds were allocated to general party propaganda and candidate-related expenses, with media advertisements accounting for a significant portion. The BJP's election outreach also included extensive use of publicity materials and campaign-related travel. The party's expenditure on public meetings, processions, and rallies, including arrangements for stages, audio setups, barricades, and vehicles, stood at Rs 19.84 crore. The travel expenditure of star campaigners authorized by the party's central headquarters amounted to Rs 168.92 crore, while Rs 2.53 crore was spent on the travel of other party leaders.

Wife, Daughters Pay Homage To Dr Saab

Wife, Daughters Pay Homage To Dr Saab

Rediff.com28 Dec 2024

Gursharan Kaur and daughter Daman Singh pay their respects to Dr Singh's mortal remains at the AICC HQ in New Delhi.

India faces high debt, but sustainable for now: NCAER

India faces high debt, but sustainable for now: NCAER

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

At nearly 82 per cent of GDP, India's public debt is very high, but the country doesn't face debt sustainability issue on account of high growth rate and higher share of local currency debt, NCAER Director General Poonam Gupta has said. Participating in an event organised by NCAER, Gupta said India's high debt levels are sustainable for now because of higher real or nominal GDP and as most of the debt is held in rupee.

IOC blames Russia for Paris Olympics gender row

IOC blames Russia for Paris Olympics gender row

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

A gender row involving two female boxers at the Paris 2024 Olympics was the result of a Russian fake news campaign, said International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Budget focuses on domestic consumption amid global uncertainties

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The Budget 2025-26 meets the expectations of fiscal consolidation, maintaining capital expenditure, and boosting consumption through tax cuts.

JSW Steel becomes world's most valuable steelmaker with $30.3 bn mcap

JSW Steel becomes world's most valuable steelmaker with $30.3 bn mcap

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

JSW Steel, owned by Sajjan Jindal, has emerged as the world's most valuable steelmaker, boasting a market capitalisation (mcap) of nearly $30.31 billion, according to Bloomberg data.

How Dr Manmohan Singh became India's 'reforms' man

How Dr Manmohan Singh became India's 'reforms' man

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

He drew the roadmap of India's economic reform, unshackled it from the licence raj and pulled it back from the brink when even its gold reserve was pledged.

Is replacing the Planning Commission justified?

Is replacing the Planning Commission justified?

Rediff.com26 Aug 2014

The need for co-ordinated policy between Centre and states was likewise foreseen and assigned.

'Retaliatory Tariffs By Us Won't Hurt US'

'Retaliatory Tariffs By Us Won't Hurt US'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

'When Prime Minister Modi met President Trump, they agreed to initiate a bilateral trade dialogue.' 'It makes sense to give these negotiations a chance.'

'Not Time To Panic. It's Time To Buy'

'Not Time To Panic. It's Time To Buy'

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

'It won't be a V-shaped recovery. It'll be consolidation.' 'Investors might exit during that grind. It'll be painful.'

Finance Committee report in Par before Budget

Finance Committee report in Par before Budget

Rediff.com11 Feb 2010

It is believed that the commission in its report has suggested higher allocation to the states during five years starting from next fiscal.

Finance panel term extended

Finance panel term extended

Rediff.com15 Jun 2004

The government on Tuesday extended the term of Twelfth Finance Commission by five months till December 31 this year.

More the merrier? A tale of multiple self-regulatory organisations

More the merrier? A tale of multiple self-regulatory organisations

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Mint Road, on December 21, 2023, flagged the role of self-regulatory organisations (SROs) in strengthening the compliance culture in regulated entities (REs) and providing a consultative platform for policymaking. It also decided to issue an omnibus framework for SROs.

'CBI should reveal discoveries from Swizz evidence on Bofors payoffs'

'CBI should reveal discoveries from Swizz evidence on Bofors payoffs'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

Journalist and author Chitra Subramaniam has demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) make public its findings from the "box of evidence" received from Switzerland regarding the Bofors payoffs. Subramaniam, author of 'Boforsgate: A Journalist's Pursuit of Truth', expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the evidence, questioning who opened the box, when it was opened, and what it contained. She also raised doubts about the official narrative regarding the alleged bribe in the Bofors case, suggesting the sum of Rs 64 crore may not reflect the full extent of the corruption. Subramaniam also alleged that the CBI planted stories about Hindi film actor Amitabh Bachchan to derail the investigation and launched a political vendetta against the Bachchans. She recalled that Bachchan had come to her home and asked if she had seen his name. The CBI has recently requested assistance from the United States in the case, seeking information from private investigator Michael Hershman, who claims to have crucial details about the scandal. The Bofors scandal, a major bribery case involving the Indian government and the Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors in the 1980s, pertains to allegations of a Rs 64-crore bribe in a Rs 1,437-crore deal for the supply of 400 155mm field Howitzers.

No funds for new schemes, says finance ministry

No funds for new schemes, says finance ministry

Rediff.com5 Jun 2020

The finance ministry has asked all ministries and departments not to initiate any new scheme in the current financial year and said that there is a need to use resources prudently in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. However, funds for schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan package and any other special package or announcement would be allocated, according to an office memorandum by the department of expenditure, which comes under the finance ministry.

Centre forms panel to choose next CEC: Sources

Centre forms panel to choose next CEC: Sources

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

The government has set up a search committee under Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to shortlist names for the appointment of the next chief election commissioner, sources said on Monday, citing an order.

'Govt Unsure How To Fire Economy Upwards'

'Govt Unsure How To Fire Economy Upwards'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

'I am optimistic about the Budget because of the fiscal discipline the government has committed to.'

Budget balanced, takes care of all segments: FM in Rajya Sabha

Budget balanced, takes care of all segments: FM in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com31 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the Union Budget strikes a fine balance between growth, employment, and fiscal consolidation, and promotes cooperative federalism. Replying to the discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25 and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Budget in Rajya Sabha, the minister said the government is on track to achieve the pre-announced fiscal deficit target of 4.5 per cent by 2025-26. Sitharaman, also a former defence minister, said the Agniveer Scheme to recruit people in the age group of 17.5 to 21 years, is aimed at keeping the armed forces fit, young and battle-ready.

All's not well with Bihar's finances

All's not well with Bihar's finances

Rediff.com31 Mar 2011

The report was tabled by deputy chief minister S K Modi in the state assembly.

One nation, one election: Kovind panel may submit report today

One nation, one election: Kovind panel may submit report today

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

The panel may recommend amending at last five articles of the Constitution to enable holding of simultaneous polls in the country.

EC asks Kejriwal to prove Yamuna 'poisoning' claim amid slugfest

EC asks Kejriwal to prove Yamuna 'poisoning' claim amid slugfest

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

A heated political battle erupted Tuesday over Arvind Kejriwal's claim of the Haryana government 'poisoning' the Yamuna water, with the Bharatiya Janata Party saying he cannot be forgiven for his 'dangerous statement', while the Aam Aadmi Party chief asserted he won't let the people of Delhi die due to the dirty, poisonous water.

How to get more bang for the buck out of field agents

How to get more bang for the buck out of field agents

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Will allowing business correspondents to hawk insurance products help in reviving 5-lakh strong field agents as a viable channel?

'Maritime Development Fund to generate Rs 1.5 trillion investment by 2030'

'Maritime Development Fund to generate Rs 1.5 trillion investment by 2030'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'Additionally, the significant employment multiplier will boost direct and indirect jobs of up to 1.1 million.'

'Competition Commission must look at PSUs'

'Competition Commission must look at PSUs'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2009

Competition watchdog CCI needs to scrutinise the practices of the state-owned companies as they are not above the law of competition, the Chairman of the 13th Finance Commission, Vijay Kelkar said on Friday.