News for 'Ministry of Finance'

Railways plan to carry 45 pc of national cargo by 2030

Railways plan to carry 45 pc of national cargo by 2030

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

Experts say Indian Railways must grow its share in the freight market to remain financially sustainable.

Govt likely to soon compensate oil firms for LPG losses

Govt likely to soon compensate oil firms for LPG losses

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

The government is likely to give a subsidy of Rs 30,000-35,000 crore to state-run oil companies - Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) - to compensate for losses incurred from selling LPG at below cost over the past 15 months, according to a senior official.

Next-Gen GST a step towards single tax slab

Next-Gen GST a step towards single tax slab

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The proposed 'Next Gen GST' with sweeping reforms, lower tax rates, and just two slabs, aims to boost the economy amid tariff threats and set the stage for a single tax rate regime by the time India becomes a developed nation, government sources said.

Modi dials Zelenskyy, reaffirms India's support for Ukraine peace

Modi dials Zelenskyy, reaffirms India's support for Ukraine peace

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that India remains committed to making every possible contribution for an early and peaceful solution to the conflict. Zelenskyy sought India's support in limiting Russian energy exports.

Can UPI Stay Free Forever?

Can UPI Stay Free Forever?

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

Several executives argue that UPI has the potential to grow tenfold, but warn that the absence of a monetisation model risks stagnating the real-time payments system, which has been recording all-time-high transaction volumes every year.

EPFO adds nearly 22 lakh members in June

EPFO adds nearly 22 lakh members in June

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

Retirement fund body EPFO recorded a 13.46 per cent year-on-year growth in net member addition of 21.89 lakh in June, according to the latest payroll data released on Wednesday. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) provisional payroll data for June 2025 showed a net addition of 21.89 lakh members, marking the highest recorded addition since payroll data tracking began in April 2018, a labour ministry statement said.

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

GST 2.0: India's Answer To Trump's Tariffs

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Simplifying GST rates, removing exemptions, easing disputes, and speeding up refunds can boost investment in India and offer the best reply to Trump's tariffs, observes V S Krishnan, former member, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Why Are Bankers Committing Suicide?

Why Are Bankers Committing Suicide?

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

In the past 10 years, over 500 PSB officers have died by suicide. When targets are overwhelming, senior management and customers are both impatient, and there is constant fear, not every banker has the resilience to survive and thrive, warns Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

'Longstanding demand met,' Patel on Sports Bill

'Longstanding demand met,' Patel on Sports Bill

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

Patel emphasised that one of the most important features of the bill is the establishment of a dedicated tribunal for resolving disputes, reducing the burden on the judiciary and ensuring quicker justice.

You Can Get A I-T Refund In 17 Days!

You Can Get A I-T Refund In 17 Days!

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

The time taken by the income-tax department to process refunds has dropped sharply from 93 days in 2013.

Relief for taxpayers, late refund claim may be allowed

Relief for taxpayers, late refund claim may be allowed

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

'Experts and stakeholders have raised concern over the refund provision in the draft Bill. That was a drafting error, which will be rectified,' a government official said.

Ajit Pawar admits to mistakes in Ladki Bahin payout

Ajit Pawar admits to mistakes in Ladki Bahin payout

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Monday admitted to 'mistakes' in distributing financial assistance to all women applicants of the Ladki Bahin scheme launched last year, which he said would be rectified through scrutiny to ensure only genuine beneficiaries receive the aid.

Trump's 24-hr threat to India; Russia steps in to defend

Trump's 24-hr threat to India; Russia steps in to defend

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said India has not been a good trading partner and announced that he will raise the tariffs on New Delhi 'very substantially' over the next 24 hours because it is buying Russian oil.

What You Need To Know About New I-T Bill

What You Need To Know About New I-T Bill

Rediff.com26 Aug 2025

'The new Bill introduces no policy or rate changes, leaving financial planning strategies largely unaffected.'
'The considerations for choosing between the old and new tax regimes remain essentially unchanged.'

Khelo Bharat Niti aims at reshaping sporting landscape

Khelo Bharat Niti aims at reshaping sporting landscape

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

Cabinet approves Khelo Bharat Niti, says it will bring India into top-5 of world sports

Why Sensex closed at nearly two-month low on Monday

Why Sensex closed at nearly two-month low on Monday

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Titan, HCL Tech and State Bank of India were also among the laggards. However, Hindustan Unilever, Asian Paints, ICICI Bank, Power Grid, HDFC Bank and ITC were the gainers.

Markets fall on selling in IT shares, foreign fund outflows

Markets fall on selling in IT shares, foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty declined on Monday, extending the losing run to the fourth day amid selling in IT shares and foreign fund outflows. The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped by 247.01 points or 0.30 per cent to settle at 82,253.46. During the day, it fell 490.09 points or 0.59 per cent to 82,010.38 but recovered some of the losses towards the close.

Sensex drops 345 points on weakness in IT stocks

Sensex drops 345 points on weakness in IT stocks

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

From the Sensex pack, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Infosys, Bharat Electronics, Tech Mahindra and Eternal were major laggards. However, Maruti, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Trent and Tata Consultancy Services were among the gainers.

Tax officer who arrested Kejriwal, Soren resigns

Tax officer who arrested Kejriwal, Soren resigns

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

Kapil Raj, a former Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer who supervised the arrests of two chief ministers under the anti-money laundering law, has resigned from government service after serving for about 16 years, citing personal reasons.

Bank Deposit Insurance May Be Hiked From 5 Lakh To...

Bank Deposit Insurance May Be Hiked From 5 Lakh To...

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

The revised ceiling will be within the Rs 10 lakh mark.

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Sections in the US State Department and Pentagon have always felt more comfortable dealing with all powerful Pakistani generals instead of elected civilians, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Time To Tackle The Digital Fraud Surge

Time To Tackle The Digital Fraud Surge

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

We propose an expert group be set up to form a national strategy on digital fraud. This group would bring together skills in financial regulation, security economics, cyber defence, and public communications, and an understanding of the Indian financial and security systems. It should lay the foundations of a coordinated approach by the Indian State in fighting digital fraud, suggest Ajay Shah and Nandkumar Saravade.

India eyes 2000 GCCs beyond metro cities by yearend

India eyes 2000 GCCs beyond metro cities by yearend

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

MeitY is in discussions with global Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, mid-tier firms, and state government officials on a three-pronged approach to setting up new GCCs in India.

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Manas Sood, a Class 12 student from the Delhi Public School, has distributed 2,650 boxes of Tax City Education and empowered over 12,000 students from 52 schools across India. His aim? To help young Indians understand taxes and become financially literate.

Emission Norms Battle Hots Up: M&M Counters Maruti Suzuki

Emission Norms Battle Hots Up: M&M Counters Maruti Suzuki

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

The growing rift between MSIL and rival automakers has complicated the government's efforts to finalise the CAFE norms.

How UPI, AePS, Wallets Are Changing India

How UPI, AePS, Wallets Are Changing India

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

UPI has catapulted India into the forefront on the global digital payments landscape. Working hand in hand, the AePS payments system is making life easy for rural folks, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

India's $100 Bn Gambling Black Hole

India's $100 Bn Gambling Black Hole

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

'The larger and more opaque this shadow economy becomes, especially online, the greater the risk to India's national security.'

Rare earth curbs to hit EV, RE, defence sectors

Rare earth curbs to hit EV, RE, defence sectors

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

India's macroeconomic health is in a "relative goldilocks situation", and although the risk of higher landed oil prices, due to insurance cost surges and closure of choke points due to the brief Israel-Iran war, has receded, it is "too soon to sound the 'all clear' for the rest of the year", the Finance Ministry said on Friday.

Draft Tax Bill 2025: Relief For LLPs On LTCG Front?

Draft Tax Bill 2025: Relief For LLPs On LTCG Front?

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

'The original provision will be restored. AMT is meant only for those claiming deductions, not for firms earning regular income like capital gains,' a senior government official said.

285 Tweaks Proposed to Income Tax Bill

285 Tweaks Proposed to Income Tax Bill

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

'The government, if it deems fit, will incorporate the changes in the Bill, take approval from the Cabinet before moving the bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha.'

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Govt unveils Rs 2 trillion dose for jobs, R&D, innovation, growth push

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

In a double-dose bid to boost growth and employment prospects, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs 2.07 trillion outlay for a research development and innovation (RDI) Scheme to fund private sector innovations, and an employment-linked incentive (ELI) to create over 35 million new jobs over the next two years.

WII revokes order to cut salaries for skipping Yoga Day event

WII revokes order to cut salaries for skipping Yoga Day event

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

Citing poor attendance at the International Yoga Day event on June 21, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) issued a warning on Monday, saying this month's salaries of the employees who skipped the programme without prior intimation would be withheld, but withdrew the order within hours.

Geopolitics, mkt volatility pose growth risks: FinMin

Geopolitics, mkt volatility pose growth risks: FinMin

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

Geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainties, volatility in international commodity prices and financial market uncertainties pose considerable risks to India's economic growth in the coming year, the finance ministry cautioned on Wednesday. "Global trade continues to be affected by uncertainty in the policy environment... tariff-related developments in multiple countries have heightened trade-related risks, affecting investment and trade flows globally.

India Wants Pakistan Back On FATF 'Grey List'

India Wants Pakistan Back On FATF 'Grey List'

Rediff.com26 May 2025

Re-entry into the list could have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan, including diminished foreign investment, increased borrowing costs, and tighter scrutiny from global financial institutions.

Finance Secretary TV Somanathan is new Cabinet Secy

Finance Secretary TV Somanathan is new Cabinet Secy

Rediff.com10 Aug 2024

He will succeed incumbent Rajiv Gauba, who completes his unprecedented five-year term in the top bureaucratic post this month-end.

Centre plans to list at least five RRBs by FY27-end

Centre plans to list at least five RRBs by FY27-end

Rediff.com24 May 2025

After the merger of regional rural banks (RRBs) under the "One State, One RRB" policy to improve their efficiency and minimise competition among public-sector banks (PSBs) that sponsor them, the government is planning to list at least five RRBs by the end of financial year 2026-27 (FY27). After the latest amalgamation that came into effect on May 1, there are 28 RRBs in 26 states and two Union Territories (UTs), with more than 22,000 branches covering 700 districts.

Sitharaman cuts short US-Peru visit after J-K terror attack

Sitharaman cuts short US-Peru visit after J-K terror attack

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is cutting short her official visit to the US and Peru and will depart for India at the earliest, following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Sitharaman arrived in the US on Sunday for a six-day visit, after which she was scheduled to travel to Peru for a five-day trip. The decision comes after 26 people were killed in a terror attack near Kashmir's Pahalgam town on Tuesday.

Ola, Paytm crash up to 50% in H1 2025; are new-age stocks worth buying now?

Ola, Paytm crash up to 50% in H1 2025; are new-age stocks worth buying now?

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

New-age stocks to buy: Most new-age stocks have turned out to be wealth destroyers in stock markets, so far, in calendar year 2025. Shares of Ola Electric Mobility, for instance, have plunged nearly 50 per cent in the first half of CY 2025, while those of Swiggy, PB Fintech, Paytm, and Eternal (Zomato) have crashed between 6 per cent and 25 per cent, ACE Equity data shows.

ATMs to loans: All eyes on the road for finance world

ATMs to loans: All eyes on the road for finance world

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

In the Union Budget for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had held forth on the need for better governance and investor protection in the banking sector. She had proposed certain amendments to the Reserve Bank of India Act (RBI Act), 1934; the Banking Regulation Act (BR Act), 1949; and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970.

Sisodia, Satyendar Jain summoned over Rs 2,000 cr 'scam'

Sisodia, Satyendar Jain summoned over Rs 2,000 cr 'scam'

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

The summons come after an FIR was registered by the ACB on April 30 based on allegations of financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of over 12,000 classrooms or semi-permanent structures in Delhi government schools.