News for 'Ministry of Finance'

Behind the scenes: Sitharaman chaired 3 separate meetings on GSTN preparedness for GST 2.0

Behind the scenes: Sitharaman chaired 3 separate meetings on GSTN preparedness for GST 2.0

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

To ensure a glitch-free rollout of the next-generation GST with reduced rates and lesser slabs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired three separate meetings to assess GSTN's preparedness and the time it would take to implement technological changes required in the software systems.

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

'I am doing the drive in making sure that people pass this on. So the drive is not with distrust. The drive is just in case.' 'Just in case it doesn't get passed on, I am here.'

GST 2.0: These will get cheaper from September 22

GST 2.0: These will get cheaper from September 22

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

Some of the key names include: Maruti, M&M, Ashok Leyland, Britannia, Ultratech, JK Cement, Havells, Voltas, Amber, Metro, Trent, LemonTree, Indian Hotels, Niva Bupa, HDFC Life, IGL, Acme Solar, Suzlon, Swiggy, Delhivery, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance," according to a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

iPhone Affordability Index Reveals: Most Indians Can't...

iPhone Affordability Index Reveals: Most Indians Can't...

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The average Indian worker must labour for an extraordinary 160 full working days to afford Apple's latest iPhone 17 Pro.

2.17 lakh fake notes of various denominations detected in FY25

2.17 lakh fake notes of various denominations detected in FY25

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

As many as 2.17 lakh pieces of fake notes of various denominations were detected during 2024-25 compared to 2.23 lakh such notes in the previous year, Parliament was informed on Monday. Of this, highest -- 117,722 pieces -- counterfeit notes of 500 [MG (New) Series] were detected in FY25, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

No phone call between Modi and Trump on Russian oil: MEA

No phone call between Modi and Trump on Russian oil: MEA

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

India responds to US President Trump's claim that PM Modi assured him of halting Russian oil imports, stating it is diversifying energy sources to meet market conditions and safeguard consumer interests.

Jane Street Now Under CBDT Scanner

Jane Street Now Under CBDT Scanner

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

The CBDT is investigating Jane Street for possibly misusing the India-Singapore tax treaty.

If India wants to be treated as a strategic ally of US...: Trump official

If India wants to be treated as a strategic ally of US...: Trump official

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Notably, US President Donald Trump and his administration have continuously targeted India over its purchase of Russian crude oil. India, on the other hand, has always maintained that India's purchases are based on its domestic needs and economic security.

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.

'I Won't Wait For Decades To Get Reform Done'

'I Won't Wait For Decades To Get Reform Done'

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

'That is going to have an impact on literally every one, whether you buy a toothpaste, a safety pin, a car, shoes or medicines or you go to a diagnostic centre.'

Modi won't bow down to foreign pressure: Putin on US tariffs

Modi won't bow down to foreign pressure: Putin on US tariffs

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his upcoming visit to India in December and expressed his intention to address the trade imbalance between the two countries, particularly concerning India's crude oil imports from Russia. He also lauded India's independent stance on international issues and highlighted the strong relationship between the two nations.

SC Verdict Instills Hope For Real Estate Reforms

SC Verdict Instills Hope For Real Estate Reforms

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

'The directives to enhance last-mile funding, consider revival funds, and systemic reforms across the sector are expected to revive stalled projects, improve accountability, and accelerate the delivery of affordable and mid-income housing.'

Classify Strategic Data As 'National Asset'

Classify Strategic Data As 'National Asset'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

...on par with oil, power, and defence, and to restrict its storage under foreign control.

Why The Americans Were Opposed To Agni

Why The Americans Were Opposed To Agni

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'The heat shield technology for re-entry vehicles was first mastered in DRDO for the Agni missile.' 'This is why the Americans were so opposed to Agni in the 1980s, unlike other missiles -- it was a re-entry vehicle.'

Setback for India? US revokes sanctions waiver for Chabahar port

Setback for India? US revokes sanctions waiver for Chabahar port

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

India has said it will take all steps to protect its national interests and ensure comprehensive national security in all domains after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a strategic defence pact.

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'I will not be surprised if there is a 7 per cent handle in front of the decimal place for the full financial year.'

Officials hint at 'political interests' behind Manipur ambush

Officials hint at 'political interests' behind Manipur ambush

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

Security forces in Manipur have launched a major crackdown on the banned People's Liberation Army (PLA) following an ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy. Fifteen cadres have been arrested, including suspects directly involved in the attack. Investigations are underway to determine if the PLA has political patronage and if weapons looted during ethnic clashes are being used against security forces.

Saudi Pledges To Defend Pakistan Against Attack, India Says...

Saudi Pledges To Defend Pakistan Against Attack, India Says...

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a 'Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement', pledging that any aggression against either nation would be treated as an attack on both.

'Petrol, Diesel In GST? Not In Immediate Future'

'Petrol, Diesel In GST? Not In Immediate Future'

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

'Tax cannot be emotional.'

Budget 2024: MSME ministry gets 'positive' feedback on 45-day payment rule

Budget 2024: MSME ministry gets 'positive' feedback on 45-day payment rule

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has received "positive" feedback from industry regarding the 45-day payments cycle for MSMEs, according to a senior official familiar with the matter. The comment assumes significance amid concerns raised by some MSMEs that big companies may stop buying from small and medium suppliers and instead choose to make purchases from unregistered enterprises.

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.

Retail inflation likely to ease in coming months: Finance ministry

Retail inflation likely to ease in coming months: Finance ministry

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

India's consumer price index (CPI)-based inflation could ease in the coming months thanks to the arrival of kharif crops, lower international commodity prices, and a pass through of lower input costs to consumers, the finance ministry said in its Monthly Economic Review (MER) for October, which was released on Thursday. The MER, however, warned that the global macroeconomic situation remained precarious and a recession in many advanced economies would impact India's exports. "Easing international commodity prices and new Kharif arrival are set to dampen inflationary pressures in the coming months.

Tarun Bajaj returns to finance ministry as economic affairs secretary

Tarun Bajaj returns to finance ministry as economic affairs secretary

Rediff.com1 May 2020

Tarun Bajaj, an old hand at the finance ministry, on Friday assumed charge as the economic affairs secretary. He comes back to North Block at a time when the economy is facing headwinds due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

The tussle: Finance ministry vs. regulators

The tussle: Finance ministry vs. regulators

Rediff.com14 Dec 2012

The distance between North Block and Mint Road has been growing for quite some time. The latest evidence of tension is the finance ministry's decision to introduce a clause in the Banking Amendment Bill allowing banks to trade in commodity futures, despite the central bank's reservations on the issue.

'Coercive, unilateral': BRICS nations slam Trump tariffs

'Coercive, unilateral': BRICS nations slam Trump tariffs

Rediff.com27 Sep 2025

The BRICS nations have expressed concern over the proliferation of trade-restrictive actions in the form of 'indiscriminate rising' of tariffs, particularly measures used as a means of 'coercion', cautioning that such practices risk marginalising the Global South countries.

Major changes in finance ministry after Budget

Major changes in finance ministry after Budget

Rediff.com10 Jan 2017

Three key babus will make room for a new set of officers to carry the baton of Budget programmes.

Payslip To Pension To Long-Term Wealth: How EPF Works

Payslip To Pension To Long-Term Wealth: How EPF Works

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

A 10-part series that explains all you want to know about how India's EPF turns a slice of your monthly salary into long-term savings, pension, and life insurance.

Finance ministry rejects NTPC's FPO

Finance ministry rejects NTPC's FPO

Rediff.com16 May 2008

The power ministry had approached the department of disinvestment in August 2007 for approval for NTPC's FPO, which could fetch the company nearly Rs 6,000 crore to part-finance its expansion programme.

Fitch raises India's FY26 GDP forecast to 6.9%

Fitch raises India's FY26 GDP forecast to 6.9%

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

Fitch Ratings on Wednesday raised India's GDP growth forecast to 6.9 per cent for current fiscal year, from 6.5 per cent earlier, citing strong June quarter growth and domestic consumption-led demand.

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.

Finance ministry to advise on spectrum

Finance ministry to advise on spectrum

Rediff.com9 Dec 2008

The telecom ministry has referred the matter of number of 3G spectrum slots in each circle to the Finance Ministry.

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.

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.

BMW crash: Accused tests -ve for alcohol, faces culpable homicide

BMW crash: Accused tests -ve for alcohol, faces culpable homicide

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Senior finance ministry official Navjot Singh, killed in a BMW crash, was cremated. The driver's alcohol test was negative, and an investigation is underway.

Former NITI Aayog VC Arvind Panagariya to head Finance Commission

Former NITI Aayog VC Arvind Panagariya to head Finance Commission

Rediff.com31 Dec 2023

The government on Sunday appointed former Niti Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagariya as the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission. Joint Secretary in the finance ministry Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey will be the secretary to the commission, the government said in a notification. "The President is pleased to constitute a Finance Commission with Dr Arvind Panagariya, former Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog and Professor, Columbia University, as the Chairman. Members of the Commission will be notified separately," it said.

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.

'Nothing Will Affect Taxpayers' Benefits'

'Nothing Will Affect Taxpayers' Benefits'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'There is no retrospective changing of the law, only its simplification.'

LS passes Bill to ban online money games, proposes 3-yr jail, Rs 1 cr fine

LS passes Bill to ban online money games, proposes 3-yr jail, Rs 1 cr fine

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The Indian government has introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to ban online games played with money, aiming to curb addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud. The bill also targets advertisements and financial transactions related to such games.

PM-VBRY: What Job Seekers Need To Know

PM-VBRY: What Job Seekers Need To Know

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

'To encourage the habit of saving, a portion of the incentive will be kept in a savings instrument of deposit account for a fixed period and can be withdrawn by the employee at a later date.'