News for 'State for Finance'

Budget 2026 is cautious and also focussed on the long-term journey

Budget 2026 is cautious and also focussed on the long-term journey

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

This year's Economic Survey and the Union Budget were more closely followed for more reasons than one.

India poised to be global hub for digital infra, AI: Modi

India poised to be global hub for digital infra, AI: Modi

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is promoting India as a global hub for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence, highlighting the government's incentives for data center investments and inviting the world's data to reside in India.

Najmul sacked as players' revolt puts BPL in limbo

Najmul sacked as players' revolt puts BPL in limbo

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

BCB removes its director Najmul Islam from key post after players revolt

Japan's High-Stakes Gamble In the Indo-Pacific

Japan's High-Stakes Gamble In the Indo-Pacific

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

In the Indo-Pacific's new era -- where perception shapes reality faster than treaties -- the real entrapment is not of China or the United States. It is the test Japan has set for itself -- and whether partners like India, acting as balancers rather than accelerants, can help ensure that the story ends in stability, points out Varun Arya.

Sensex slips below 82K amid widespread sell-off

Sensex slips below 82K amid widespread sell-off

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Market sentiment is likely to remain cautious as investors position themselves for the upcoming Union Budget and the US Fed's interest rate decision, where expectations are muted.

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Live selfie, location lock: India tightens KYC rules for crypto exchanges

Live selfie, location lock: India tightens KYC rules for crypto exchanges

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Under the new rules, users must take a "live selfie" using software that verifies their presence, typically through eye-blinking or head movement. The measure helps prevent the use of static photos or deepfakes.

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

MHA gets Rs 2.55 lakh cr as Budget sharpens focus on internal security

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget 2025-26 had allocated Rs 2,33,210.68 crore (BE) to the ministry helmed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Rise beyond...: India thrashes Pak at UN over Kashmir

Rise beyond...: India thrashes Pak at UN over Kashmir

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

India strongly criticized Pakistan at the United Nations for misusing UN platforms to promote a divisive agenda by repeatedly raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Economic Survey 2026: India must run marathon and sprint simultaneously

Economic Survey 2026: India must run marathon and sprint simultaneously

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

According to the Economic Survey 2026, the appropriate stance for 2026 is therefore one of strategic sobriety rather than defensive pessimism.

9 Things You Must Know About Ajit Pawar

9 Things You Must Know About Ajit Pawar

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Popularly known as 'Ajit Dada', he was known to say things as they were, without couching it in any soft padding.

New national policy pegs Rs 200 trn investment in power sector by '47

New national policy pegs Rs 200 trn investment in power sector by '47

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

The government on Wednesday put out the draft of a new policy that projects the country's power sector will need Rs 50 trillion in investments by 2032 and Rs 200 trillion by 2047, proposing ambitious reforms in generation, transmission and distribution.

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Ajit Pawar became a ray of hope for Muslims, the only man in power who could resolve their grievances.

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Will Budget 2026 Fix The Customs-FTA Disconnect?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Customs regimes can lead to labyrinthine legal disputes. Budget 2026 must recognise that an excessively defensive Customs posture can itself become a trade barrier, point out Mukesh Butani and Shankey Agrawal.

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Nirmala Sitharaman: 'Prime Minister Modi Does Not Tolerate Gaming Of The System'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

'Grassroots-level corruption, which disrupts the last-mile work, cannot be ignored in your enthusiasm and drive to get going to complete the project.' 'Like it was in MGNREGA, in some states, it is the case with the Jal Jeevan mission.' 'The last minute levels of corruption can ruin the intent of the project itself.' 'When you see that people can game a particular well-intended and well-crafted project, you need to correct that.'

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Air, Water Purifiers: GST Council May Weigh 5% Levy

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

The GST Council at its next meeting may consider a reduction in taxes on air and water purifiers as air quality across the country worsens and access to safe drinking water remains uneven.

Six states evince interest to join UPS, says PFRDA chairman S Ramann

Six states evince interest to join UPS, says PFRDA chairman S Ramann

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

The Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) adoption rate has risen to over 4.35 per cent, with more than 100,000 people out of 2.3 million eligible individuals opting for it, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) chairman S Ramann said in an exclusive interview with Business Standard on Monday. He also said that six states had approached the PFRDA for help in adoption of the scheme.

Rajiv Gandhi: 'I Can't Sack People'

Rajiv Gandhi: 'I Can't Sack People'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

'When I met the prime minister, he asked me, "Dr Ganguly, what do you do with people in your company who lie to you?"' 'I said, "Prime Minister, we counsel them and give them a gentle warning. If they lie again, they are sacked".' '"This is my problem,'" Rajiv responded. "I can't sack people in government".' A revealing excerpt from former Hindustan Lever Chairman Dr Ashok S Ganguly's We Are Our Future: Reflections On Life.

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Budget 2026 sticks to fiscal discipline, shuns populist measures despite five key state elections coming up, but ends up rattling stock markets with a higher transaction tax on derivatives trading.

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi said that had an INDIA Bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told US President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal.

Sensex jumps 944 points on value-buying in oil, auto, banking stocks

Sensex jumps 944 points on value-buying in oil, auto, banking stocks

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Bharat Electronics, Reliance Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro, InterGlobe Aviation, ICICI Bank and UltraTech Cement were among the other major gainers. Axis Bank, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Trent and Titan were the laggards.

'India Has More Job Opportunities Than Skilled People'

'India Has More Job Opportunities Than Skilled People'

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

'Given that the population is almost evenly split, the Indian economy cannot grow without women participating in the workforce.' 'While women's participation has increased, it is still well below 40 per cent,' says Kartik Narayan, CEO of the professional networking and jobs platform, Apna.

Strong demand drivers likely to cushion TaMo

Strong demand drivers likely to cushion TaMo

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

A pickup in freight rates, rising fleet utilisation and a long-awaited replacement cycle are breathing fresh life into India's commercial vehicle (CV) market, strengthening the investment case for Tata Motors' CV arm (TMCV). Despite a broadly steady December quarter (Q3) performance, brokerages remain divided on whether the upswing is strong enough to offset margin pressures.

Tariffs on India 'huge success', may be rolled back: US treasury secy

Tariffs on India 'huge success', may be rolled back: US treasury secy

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated a potential pathway to remove tariffs imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil, citing a significant decrease in such purchases. He also criticized Europe's approach and accused India of profiting from discounted Russian oil.

Budget 2026: VB-G RAM G gets Rs 95,000 cr; MGNREGA Rs 30,000 cr

Budget 2026: VB-G RAM G gets Rs 95,000 cr; MGNREGA Rs 30,000 cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The total expenditure on the MGNREGA programme, as per the revised estimates from 2025-26, was Rs 88,000 crore, while initially, a sum of Rs 86,000 crore was allocated.

Investors lost Rs 9.40 lakh cr in Budget Sunday crash

Investors lost Rs 9.40 lakh cr in Budget Sunday crash

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies eroded by Rs 9,40,581.75 crore to Rs 4,50,61,658.60 crore (USD 4.90 trillion) in a single day.

Budget At Economic Crossroads

Budget At Economic Crossroads

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

'We believe the truth is in the middle, and that India is at an important crossroads.'

US to pause visa for Russia, Iran among 75 countries from Jan 21

US to pause visa for Russia, Iran among 75 countries from Jan 21

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

The pause will begin on January 21 and will remain in effect indefinitely until the State Department completes a reassessment of visa processing, the report said.

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The government's Budget announcements providing tax holiday for data centres, setting up of city economic regions (CERs) and funding to improve infrastructure in Tier-II and -III cities may give an indirect boost to India's realty sector, said industry executives.

Manmohan calls for overhaul of state finances

Manmohan calls for overhaul of state finances

Rediff.com6 Aug 2003

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the precarious condition of state finances, Congress leader Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said the state finances were in dismal shape.

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Economic Survey 2026: Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

The value of the rupee, which has slipped to the 92 per dollar mark, does not accurately reflect India's stellar economic fundamentals, the Economic Survey said on Thursday.

India Inc lauds Budget for bold bets on AI, data centres

India Inc lauds Budget for bold bets on AI, data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

India Inc on Sunday hailed the Union Budget 2026-27 as a 'structural shift' in the country's technology landscape, noting that the government is moving beyond fragmented pilots to build foundational layers where AI serves as a 'horizontal enabler' for the entire economy.

Now, Karnataka Governor refuses to address legislature

Now, Karnataka Governor refuses to address legislature

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has refused to address the joint sitting of the state legislature, prompting government intervention. The reasons are unclear, but follow similar incidents in other states.

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Sustaining 8 per cent-plus growth rates is necessary if we are to reach high-income status by 2047, points out Amitabh Kant.

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget on Sunday proposed a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign companies that provide cloud services to customers globally using data centres located in India, signalling the government's push to make the country a major hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget on Sunday proposed a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign companies that provide cloud services to customers globally using data centres located in India, signalling the government's push to make the country a major hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

'Buying Opportunity, Not A Regret Opportunity'

'Buying Opportunity, Not A Regret Opportunity'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'For those in for the long haul, this is a God-given opportunity.' 'Your market is falling despite strong fundamentals, and such a clear roadmap has been announced.'

Pay hike not to hit state finances: Montek

Pay hike not to hit state finances: Montek

Rediff.com27 Feb 2008

The Planning Commission does not foresee any significant disruption of state finances on account of increase in salaries of state government employees.

Canada PM cautions against weaponising tariffs at Davos

Canada PM cautions against weaponising tariffs at Davos

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday warned that the world is witnessing a fundamental 'rupture' in the global order rather than a gradual transition, cautioning against weaponising trade, finance, and supply chains.

It's time to get started, put money in deals: M&A financing opens up

It's time to get started, put money in deals: M&A financing opens up

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Last fortnight, State Bank of India Chairman C S Setty lifted the veil on a subject long spoken of in corporate corridors: Why can't our banks finance mergers and acquisitions (M&As)? Change is in the air: Indian Banks' Association (of which Setty is the chairman) is to "make a formal request" to Mint Road to make way for it. Thus far the exclusive turf of foreign banks even though its funding remains offshore - as in, it's not on these entities rupee-book (and a few select shadow banks) - a most lucrative segment in the investment banking suite, M&As, will be homeward-bound.