News for 'Ministry of Finance'

How much gold do Indian households own?

How much gold do Indian households own?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) added another 102 metric tonnes to the domestically held gold in the April-September period, as per a disclosure made on Tuesday. The overall quantity of the precious metal stored in local safes stood at 510.46 metric tonnes as of September 30, which was up from over 408 metric tonnes as on March 31, 2024. The central bank said it added another 32 metric tonnes of gold reserves in the six-month period to take the overall tonnage to 854.73 metric tonnes, as per the half yearly report on management of foreign exchange reserves.

Nirmalaji Eyes Higher GDP Growth Target

Nirmalaji Eyes Higher GDP Growth Target

Rediff.com3 Jul 2024

'The nominal GDP growth assumption for FY25 may be revised upwards on higher growth expectations.'

What You Can Now Expect Every Election

What You Can Now Expect Every Election

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

A freebie once granted can hardly be discontinued. All that can happen is to substitute it with a bigger freebie, notes A K Bhattacharya.

'We Sometimes Underestimate Our Parents'

'We Sometimes Underestimate Our Parents'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

'But when we actually express ourselves, sometimes our parents can surprise us, because they just love their children.' 'Sometimes it's just that simple. That is what I wanted to show in this film.'

Rural women drive Rs 27,000 crore financial inclusion transactions

Rural women drive Rs 27,000 crore financial inclusion transactions

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

Enterprising women business correspondents, known as BC Sakhis, have facilitated transactions worth Rs 27,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh, earning Rs 75 crore in commission over the past four and a half years. BC Sakhis, appointed under the nationwide women empowerment programme, are members of self-help groups (SHGs) who are trained and certified to provide banking and financial services in rural areas.

Khalistan terrorist and Nijjar aide Arsh Dalla arrested in Canada?

Khalistan terrorist and Nijjar aide Arsh Dalla arrested in Canada?

Rediff.com10 Nov 2024

The sources claimed that one of those arrested is believed to be Arsh Dalla, who is associated with the banned Khalistan Tiger Force and ran terror modules on behalf of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist who was killed in June last year.

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

The India Story: 90% Work In Progress

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

From highways connecting once-remote regions to aviation networks carrying millions, India's infrastructure story is one of transformation.

It Wasn't Wise To Underestimate Manmohan Singh

It Wasn't Wise To Underestimate Manmohan Singh

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

There was more to him than he let on, asserts Aditi Phadnis.

New Gold Bonds Depend On Market Conditions

New Gold Bonds Depend On Market Conditions

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

The government does not seem keen on issuing fresh gold bonds given the overall cost and rising gold prices.

'Always Identify A Potential Problem And Nip It In The Bud'

'Always Identify A Potential Problem And Nip It In The Bud'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

'I think today RBI supervision is much sharper than what it was earlier.'

FM Nirmala Sitharaman to review RRBs' performance after Budget session

FM Nirmala Sitharaman to review RRBs' performance after Budget session

Rediff.com30 Jul 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will review the performance of regional rural banks (RRBs) after the Budget session of Parliament, according to two people familiar with the matter. The finance minister will review the performance of RRBs after August 13. The review will include discussions on enhancing the digital capabilities of RRBs, said a senior government official.

Shinde signals exit from power as Fadnavis aide visits

Shinde signals exit from power as Fadnavis aide visits

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

The name of the Maharashtra chief minister will be announced on Wednesday, a day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the Mahayuti government, after the Bharatiya Janata Party elects its legislature party leader, a senior functionary said on Monday.

Tributes pour in for Dr Singh from across the globe

Tributes pour in for Dr Singh from across the globe

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Condolences have poured in from across the globe, including from the United States, Canada and Sri Lanka following the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Nirmala Sitharman set to make history with 7th consecutive Budget

Nirmala Sitharman set to make history with 7th consecutive Budget

Rediff.com21 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to create history when she presents her seventh straight Budget on Tuesday for the fiscal 2024-25, surpassing the record of former prime minister Morarji Desai. Sitharaman, who will turn 65 next month, was in 2019 appointed as India's first full-time woman finance minister when Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a decisive second term.

Govt appoints three new external RBI MPC members

Govt appoints three new external RBI MPC members

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

The government on Tuesday appointed three external members -- Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya and Nagesh Kumar -- to the RBI's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee for four years. The central government has reconstituted the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of RBI, the finance ministry said in a statement. Ram Singh is the director of the Delhi School of Economics, Saugata Bhattacharya is an economist, and Nagesh Kumar is the director and Chief Executive, Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, New Delhi.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios:

How To Stay Safe From UPI Frauds

How To Stay Safe From UPI Frauds

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Link your UPI app to a separate bank account or wallet that has only a limited sum.

Sitharaman wanted me out: ex-finance secretary Garg

Sitharaman wanted me out: ex-finance secretary Garg

Rediff.com31 Oct 2020

Subhash Chandra Garg, the former finance secretary who was shunted out of the finance ministry within three weeks of Modi-2.0 government's first budget last year, on Saturday alleged that new Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman got him transferred out.

Fadnavis to take oath tomorrow, Modi to attend

Fadnavis to take oath tomorrow, Modi to attend

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Devendra Fadnavis will lead the new Mahayuti coalition government in Maharashtra, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar serving as deputy chief ministers. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday evening at Azad Maidan ground in south Mumbai and will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers. The Mahayuti coalition won the recent assembly elections by a landslide, securing 230 out of 288 seats.

'Budget Is Not Serious About Jobs'

'Budget Is Not Serious About Jobs'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

'They think quick fixes like internship in the private sector will help. 'In fact, internships have been going on for the last one decade.' 'In 2014-2015 itself, we had a ministry of skill development. None of the programmes have yielded results, still they are continuing with such schemes under some other name.' 'We don't see any seriousness on the part of the government to attack the problem of unemployment.'

Labour ministry engages with job portals over skilling ecosystem

Labour ministry engages with job portals over skilling ecosystem

Rediff.com11 Feb 2022

The labour ministry on Thursday held discussions with representatives of private job portals, including Naukri, Monster, LinkedIn, Indeed and TimesJobs. The ministry held discussions towards strengthening the 'Employment and Skilling Ecosystem' in India, an official release said. Sunil Barthwal, secretary, ministry of labour and employment held a meeting on 10th February 2022 with representatives of the top private job portals of the country, the release said.

Next NDA Meeting May Propose Bihar Package

Next NDA Meeting May Propose Bihar Package

Rediff.com6 Jun 2024

'There is also a possibility that Andhra Pradesh may demand a similar package. But as of now, we are only working on a package for Bihar.'

Finmin reimposes spending curbs on ministries, depts for Q2

Finmin reimposes spending curbs on ministries, depts for Q2

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

The finance ministry on Wednesday reimposed expenditure curbs on ministries and government departments for July-September quarter. There will be no spending restrictions on the ministries of health, rural development, agriculture, MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) and railways as part of a two-pronged strategy. "The existing guidelines for expenditure control have been reviewed. "Keeping in view the evolving situation arising out of Covid-19 and anticipated cash position of the government, it is felt essential to regulate Quarterly Expenditure Plan (QEP)/Monthly Expenditure Plan (MEP) of specific ministries/departments for July-September, 2021," the Department of Economic Affairs in the finance ministry said in a notification.

Time To Make Budget More Transparent

Time To Make Budget More Transparent

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The Budget should use the extra RBI surplus to better effect, suggests A K Bhattacharya.

Centre in 'mission mode' to fill job vacancies in govt depts and ministries

Centre in 'mission mode' to fill job vacancies in govt depts and ministries

Rediff.com29 Sep 2022

The Centre is in "mission mode" to fill vacancies in government departments and ministries. The Department of Expenditure is currently following up with other wings of the government to expedite pending appointments. Regular follow-ups are being made to fill the vacant positions, so that the stated target of eliminating 1 million vacancies is met by December 2023, ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections. Even as the nodal ministry for filling vacant positions in the government is the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Department of Expenditure's Establishment Coordination (Personnel) division is providing support for the recruitment drive.

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.

WazirX Loses $234 Million In Security Breach

WazirX Loses $234 Million In Security Breach

Rediff.com19 Jul 2024

The swindled amount is nearly half of WazirX's total assets.

UPS no burden on future govts, says Somanathan

UPS no burden on future govts, says Somanathan

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The Unified Pension System (UPS), approved by the Union Cabinet on Saturday, is "fiscally prudent" as it will be funded within the Centre's fiscal projections, according to T V Somanathan, the Cabinet Secretary-designate. Speaking to Business Standard immediately after the Cabinet nod, former finance secretary Somanathan, who headed the committee set up in March 2023 to review the National Pension System (NPS), said the UPS will not postpone pension expenditure as it will be contributory and financed each year.

Modi govt creates new 'Ministry of Cooperation': Sources

Modi govt creates new 'Ministry of Cooperation': Sources

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

This ministry will provide a separate administrative, legal and policy framework for strengthening the cooperative movement in the country, sources added.

2G: Pages missing from finance ministry file placed before SC

2G: Pages missing from finance ministry file placed before SC

Rediff.com29 Sep 2011

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tursday placed before the Supreme Court the finance ministry file on the issue of fixing the price of 2G spectrum in 2008, but it could not be taken on record and returned to the agency as some pages of the file were missing.

Bibek Debroy, chief of PM's economic council, passes away

Bibek Debroy, chief of PM's economic council, passes away

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) chairman Bibek Debroy passed away this morning, a senior EAC-PM official said. He was admitted to AIIMS. Debroy (69) was educated in Ramakrishna Mission School, Narendrapur; Presidency College, Kolkata; Delhi School of Economics; and Trinity College, Cambridge.

'Industry Has To Help Us'

'Industry Has To Help Us'

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

'There will be 200 ITIs developed as hubs, while 800 will be developed as spoke, connected with five National Skill Training Institutes.'

India pitches for more info sharing on int'l payments

India pitches for more info sharing on int'l payments

Rediff.com11 Sep 2024

India is pushing for greater disclosures by credit card companies, fintech firms, and payment aggregators (PAs) at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), so that the sender and recipient in a cross-border financial transaction can be easily identified and the information shared with law enforcement agencies. Separately, the inter-governmental group, which sets standards to curb money laundering, will release the fourth round of its mutual evaluation report on India on September 19. FATF in June had adopted the mutual evaluation report on India and placed the country in the "regular follow-up" category - the highest rating given by the global watchdog and a distinction shared by only four other G20 countries.

'God Save Insurance Industry'

'God Save Insurance Industry'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

'Some of the astounding proposals, if translated into statutory provisions, would be suicidal.' 'This would not be a wonder cure for increasing insurance penetration and only result in mushrooming growth of players like paan kiosks with deleterious consequences.'

How To Fix Ayushman Bharat: Experts To FM

How To Fix Ayushman Bharat: Experts To FM

Rediff.com28 Jun 2024

'Patients under the scheme may ultimately have to go to private hospitals.'

India cuts arbitration time for foreign investors in UAE pact

India cuts arbitration time for foreign investors in UAE pact

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

India has reduced the time period for foreign investors to seek international arbitration from five years to three years as part of the recently signed investment pact with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a departure from its model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). Under the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism, if the Indian judicial system is unable to resolve a dispute within this shortened period, investors can resort to international arbitration. The investment pact, signed on February 13 in Abu Dhabi, came into force on August 31, replacing the previous pact.

High-level delegation of US pension funds to visit India next week

High-level delegation of US pension funds to visit India next week

Rediff.com6 Sep 2024

A delegation of high-level executives from US public pension funds (non-profit and government sectors) is visiting India next week to assess and familiarise themselves with the investment opportunities in the country. These executives belong to various American states and cumulatively represent $1.8 trillion in assets under management (AUM) invested across the US and global markets. The United States (US) mission to India, which includes its embassy and consulates and the Department of Treasury, along with India's Ministry of Finance and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), is hosting the delegation.

GST collection rises 10% to Rs 1.73 lakh crore in May

GST collection rises 10% to Rs 1.73 lakh crore in May

Rediff.com1 Jun 2024

The country's gross GST collections rose to Rs 1.73 lakh crore in May, growing 10 per cent year on year driven by increased revenues from domestic transactions, the finance ministry said on Saturday. GST collections had touched a record high of Rs 2.10 lakh crore last month.

Ministries face cash crunch as winter session scrapped

Ministries face cash crunch as winter session scrapped

Rediff.com28 Dec 2020

The health and family welfare ministry spent 70 per cent of its allocation till October. The ministry may need additional funds for the vaccination drive which is expected to be kicked off from January.

Summer sowing may ease inflation: FinMin

Summer sowing may ease inflation: FinMin

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

The finance ministry expects a broad-based moderation in inflationary pressures on the back of an anticipated reduction in food prices as a result of the uptick in summer sowing. The retail inflation rate remained stubbornly clung to the 5 per cent mark in seven of the past eight months. "Core inflation is trending downwards, indicating a broad-based moderation in price pressures... Driven by strong domestic growth and benign global commodity prices, core inflation is declining continuously.