News for 'Ministry of Finance'

Stock markets rebound as GST revenues hit record in April

Stock markets rebound as GST revenues hit record in April

Rediff.com2 May 2024

From the Sensex basket, Power Grid, Asian Paints, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, NTPC, Sun Pharma, Mahindra & Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services and JSW Steel were among the major gainers. Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank, Wipro, ICICI Bank and IndusInd Bank were among the laggards.

'Jobs Have Evolved, Skill Sets Haven't'

'Jobs Have Evolved, Skill Sets Haven't'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

'India has a skill shortage of 56%.' 'This is a very interesting paradox -- the unemployment rate is 6% to 7%, and at the same time 20% of those qualified are unemployed.'

'Aviation ministry's role doesn't end with Air India'

'Aviation ministry's role doesn't end with Air India'

Rediff.com16 Feb 2022

'Government shouldn't be in the business of running airlines, instead it should develop the ecosystem of civil aviation.'

Finance Minister Sitharaman faces an economy under pressure

Finance Minister Sitharaman faces an economy under pressure

Rediff.com31 May 2019

A stern articulator with outspoken views and a dignified personality, Sitharaman now bears the responsibility of steering the economy which has witnessed sluggish growth in recent quarters.

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

The government on Wednesday asked ministries and departments to clear dues of debt-laden Air India immediately and henceforth purchase tickets only in cash. The government earlier this month decided to sell Air India to Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of salt-to-software conglomerate Tata group, for Rs 18,000 crore. The Department of Expenditure, under the Finance Ministry, in a 2009 order, had said that in cases of air travel (both domestic and international), including LTC where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials may travel only by Air India.

Nirmalaji And Why I Quit The Government

Nirmalaji And Why I Quit The Government

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

She said I treated her like a bachchi. At another moment, she said I had gone to various people and 'bitched' about her. She also threatened to bring the entire matter to the PM's notice. A revealing excerpt from Subhash Chandra Garg's We Also Make Policy: An Insider's Account of How the Finance Ministry Functions.

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

Starting today, Modi and top officials in the Prime Minister's Office will be briefed by various central ministries and departments on their plans as well as agenda for the next five years. They will also apprise the PMO of the work they have done so far in realising the agenda of government's second term in office.

Key highlights of Modi govt's pre-poll budget

Key highlights of Modi govt's pre-poll budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday presented her sixth Budget in a row, equalling the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.

At Rs 1.72 lakh cr, Oct GST collection is 2nd highest ever

At Rs 1.72 lakh cr, Oct GST collection is 2nd highest ever

Rediff.com1 Nov 2023

GST collections in October stood at Rs 1.72 lakh crore, the second highest-ever, the finance ministry said on Wednesday. The collections are 13 per cent higher than the Rs 1.52 lakh crore collected in October 2022.

'Shocking That PM Gave Investing Advice'

'Shocking That PM Gave Investing Advice'

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

'Somebody was using somebody to make statements that will stir the stock market and lead to a surge.' 'A sudden surge and a sudden crash is always an ideal situation for people to make illicit gains and then siphoning off the money.'

'Should Have Bids For IDBI Before End Of FY'

'Should Have Bids For IDBI Before End Of FY'

Rediff.com10 Aug 2024

'We are in a position to start due diligence and private data room access shortly.'

Finance Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Finance Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Rediff.com19 Jul 2019

Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, after approving more than two dozen official amendments, by voice vote, thus completing the Budgetary exercise for 2019-20 in the Lower House.

Ministry urges Covid-19 insurance cover for foreign tourists

Ministry urges Covid-19 insurance cover for foreign tourists

Rediff.com8 Dec 2020

Indian and global airlines such as SpiceJet, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic among others too are marketing Covid-19 insurance products to attract passengers.

TN's Technocrat Finance Minister Faces First Test

TN's Technocrat Finance Minister Faces First Test

Rediff.com12 Aug 2021

Finance Minister P T R Palanivel Thiagarajan has proclaimed his determination to set Tamil Nadu's fiscal house in order in five years, and Friday will show how he plans to go about it when he rises to present the Stalin government's maiden budget, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Revamped SEZ law unlikely before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Revamped SEZ law unlikely before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections

Rediff.com24 Feb 2024

The revamped Special Economic Zone (SEZ) law is unlikely to see the light of the day before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, two people aware of the matter said. The commerce department had sought the Union Cabinet's nod to bring amendments to the existing SEZ Act, 2005 late last year. The plan, thereafter, was to introduce the Bill in the winter session of Parliament. Cabinet's approval remains pending.

Where's our Finance Minister?

Where's our Finance Minister?

Rediff.com3 Jul 2012

On sarkaritel.com, a private initiative that serves as a gateway to the government, the council of ministers does not include the finance portfolio at all.

Centre orders ministries, PSUs to use MTNL/BSNL services

Centre orders ministries, PSUs to use MTNL/BSNL services

Rediff.com14 Oct 2020

The central government has mandated all ministries, public departments and public sector units to use the telecom services of State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL).

National pension system added 21.5% fewer corporate subscribers in 2023

National pension system added 21.5% fewer corporate subscribers in 2023

Rediff.com4 Mar 2024

The National Pension System (NPS) added 21.5 per cent fewer fresh subscribers under the corporate segment in 2023 compared to the preceding year. Government officials and experts attribute it to the higher exemption limit of income tax of Rs 7 lakh announced in the FY24 Budget that no more requires employees under this income bracket to opt for NPS for tax-saving purposes. Data collated from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reveals that the corporate component is voluntary in nature and saw 158,212 new subscribers in 2023 compared to 201,517 during 2022.

Jal Shakti Ministry allocated Rs 28,261 crore

Jal Shakti Ministry allocated Rs 28,261 crore

Rediff.com5 Jul 2019

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spelled out water, its management, clean rivers as one of the 10 points of vision for the next decade.

Sitharaman holds meet for 'time-bound' completion of Budget schemes

Sitharaman holds meet for 'time-bound' completion of Budget schemes

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met top officials of the finance and corporate affairs ministries to review the implementation of various announcements of the Union Budget FY24. "The finance minister underlined the importance of continuous assessment of progress to ensure that various announcements are implemented in a time-bound manner," the finance ministry said in a tweet. Sitharaman also discussed in detail various issues on the digital competition laws with Rajeev Chandrashekhar, the minister of state for entrepreneurship, skill development, electronics and technology.

BJP Manifesto To Feature Bullet Trains

BJP Manifesto To Feature Bullet Trains

Rediff.com26 Mar 2024

A source in the know said realistically two-three of the seven bullet train corridors could be included as a practical election promise.

Modi 3.0: Smriti Irani, Anurag Thakur out; allies in

Modi 3.0: Smriti Irani, Anurag Thakur out; allies in

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

There is also speculation within the BJP that its national president J P Nadda, whose extended tenure will end by this month and who was among the leaders meeting Modi, may also be brought back in the government.

As finance secretary, Garg rubbed too many the wrong way

As finance secretary, Garg rubbed too many the wrong way

Rediff.com25 Jul 2019

Owing to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman being new to her role, a number of crucial announcements in the Budget bore Garg's imprint, especially the decision to borrow in overseas markets, reduce the fiscal deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product, and resort to off-Budget borrowing to meet that target, says Arup Roychoudury.

Coming! New Affordable Housing Scheme

Coming! New Affordable Housing Scheme

Rediff.com5 Feb 2024

The new scheme may be announced before the Lok Sabha elections.

How India Won Back Maldives's Trust

How India Won Back Maldives's Trust

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

The avoidable stresses and strains in ties helped in one way. It showed for the entire region how a matured India handled diplomatic relations, especially with a smaller and suspicious neighbour, with practised dignity and patience, unruffled by provocations in word, deed and action, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

No call from Sebi to ban PNs: Finance ministry

No call from Sebi to ban PNs: Finance ministry

Rediff.com17 Aug 2007

Participatory notes are instruments through which foreign investors trade in the country's equity and debt markets.

Ashok Chawla named Finance Secretary

Ashok Chawla named Finance Secretary

Rediff.com12 May 2009

Economic Affairs Secretary Ashok Chawla has been appointed as Finance Secretary in the ministry of finance with effect from Tuesday. The post of Finance Secretary fell vacant following retirement of Arun Ramanathan, who was also Secretary of Financial Services.

'Should construct 13,000 km of national highways in FY24'

'Should construct 13,000 km of national highways in FY24'

Rediff.com21 Feb 2024

'The vision now is not just to look at national highways as a number of kilometres, but quality as well.'

Ireda's high valuation may limit further stock upside

Ireda's high valuation may limit further stock upside

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

State-owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency's (Ireda's) chairman and managing director Pradip Kumar Das has announced that the company has requested the government to allow it to carry out a follow-on public offer (FPO) as it will need further equity infusion to maintain the pace of growth. The FPO would aim to raise between Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. Ireda, which provides funding assistance and other services to renewable energy and energy efficiency/conservation projects and is 75 per cent owned by the government of India, has requested the Union Finance Ministry to be included under Section 54EC of the Income Tax Act, which will help reduce borrowing costs.

Sitharaman to present sixth Budget in a row

Sitharaman to present sixth Budget in a row

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her sixth straight Budget ahead of the Parliamentary elections, matching the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. Sitharaman in her pre-election Budget, which technically is a vote on account and popularly termed an interim Budget, will seek Parliament's nod for a grant in advance to meet the central government's essential expenditure for the first four months of the new fiscal year that starts in April. A new government elected after the April/May general elections will present the full Budget, likely in July.

BJP likely to keep big 4 portfolios, culture, education

BJP likely to keep big 4 portfolios, culture, education

Rediff.com8 Jun 2024

There is a view that heavyweight portfolios like home, finance, defence and external affairs besides education and culture, two ministries with strong ideological hues, will be kept by the BJP, while its allies can get anywhere between five to eight cabinet berths.

Ahead of 5-state polls, 29th set of electoral bonds to go on sale from Nov 6

Ahead of 5-state polls, 29th set of electoral bonds to go on sale from Nov 6

Rediff.com4 Nov 2023

Electoral bonds have been pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring transparency to political funding.

Govt releases tax devolution of Rs 72,961 cr to states

Govt releases tax devolution of Rs 72,961 cr to states

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

"The Union government has authorised the release of tax devolution of Re 72,961.21 crore to state governments for the month of November 2023, on 7th November instead of the usual date 10th November," the Union finance ministry said in a statement.

How To Curb Speculation In F&Os

How To Curb Speculation In F&Os

Rediff.com13 Jul 2024

'Sebi had no problem with derivatives until trading exploded after Covid.' 'But now, having built a dangerous road, from which different entities, mainly governments, are extracting a heavy toll, Sebi is concerned that people are driving on it in much greater numbers,' explains Debashis Basu.

Nirmalaji And Why I Was Suspended!

Nirmalaji And Why I Was Suspended!

Rediff.com2 Feb 2024

'My protest was in the interest of the nation.' 'I am just doing my duty as a citizen of this country.'

Can We Fight China With Such A Budget?

Can We Fight China With Such A Budget?

Rediff.com5 Mar 2024

India has allocated Rs 1.72 trillion, or 27.67 per cent of the total defence budget to cater to modernisation of the country's arsenal. Modern militaries spend up to 50 to 60 per cent of their total defence budget so that they go into combat with superior weaponry and equipment.

Shah gets Home, Rajnath Defence; Finance with Nirmala

Shah gets Home, Rajnath Defence; Finance with Nirmala

Rediff.com1 Jun 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain DoPT, Atomic Energy as well as all important policy issues and portfolios not allocated.

Paytm Crisis: StartUp Founders Take Note

Paytm Crisis: StartUp Founders Take Note

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

Startup founders need to sit up and think about how not to take stardom for granted and how not to disappoint their fans who have stood in long queues for those precious selfies with popular entrepreneurs, notes Nivedita Mookerji.

Govt relaxes procurement norms for health, pharma ministries, DRDO

Govt relaxes procurement norms for health, pharma ministries, DRDO

Rediff.com10 May 2021

With the world's worst outbreak of COVID-19 severely straining the health system in the country, the government has made sweeping changes in the way departments procure medical supplies, including allowing procurement of the same item at different rates.

Ministry defends EPFO surplus

Ministry defends EPFO surplus

Rediff.com8 Feb 2011

Labour Ministry has justified EPFO's declaring 9.5 per cent interest for 2010-11.