News for 'Union Budget Speech'

New Income Tax Bill: What YOU Must KNOW

New Income Tax Bill: What YOU Must KNOW

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Implications for capital gains, wealth taxes, and investment strategies require careful consideration, notes Anil Rego, founder and CEO, RightHorizons.

Liberalization: How Dr Singh Convinced Narasimha Rao

Liberalization: How Dr Singh Convinced Narasimha Rao

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

'I had to persuade him. I think he was a sceptic to begin with, but later on he was convinced that what we were doing was the right thing to do, that there was no other way out.'

47.8 crore Jan Dhan accounts opened till date: FM

47.8 crore Jan Dhan accounts opened till date: FM

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the National Rural Livelihood Mission has achieved remarkable success by mobilising rural women into 1 lakh SHGs (self help groups).

Govt to come out with White Paper on Economy before 2014

Govt to come out with White Paper on Economy before 2014

Rediff.com1 Feb 2024

The government will come out with a White Paper on the mismanagement of economy prior to 2014 with an aim to draw lessons.

Govt to issue 'outcome budget' this week

Govt to issue 'outcome budget' this week

Rediff.com5 Feb 2018

The idea is to monitor centrally sponsored schemes, partly funded schemes, loans, programmes and any other endeavour into which funds are pumped.

Abolition of angel tax cheers startups, investors

Abolition of angel tax cheers startups, investors

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Startup and venture funds on Tuesday cheered the Budget decision on the abolition of angel tax for all investor classes, terming it a "game-changer" that would remove significant barriers in growth and foster a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem. Angel tax refers to the tax that the government imposes on funding raised by unlisted companies, or startups if their valuation exceeds the company's fair market value.

Meet FM's A-team behind Budget 2022

Meet FM's A-team behind Budget 2022

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the much-awaited 2022-23 Union Budget on February 1. While there has been strong recovery in some sectors, touch services like hospitality, tourism and leisure continue to suffer after two Covid-19 waves. Household savings have been hit due to increased spending on health care. Consumption has still not reached pre-pandemic levels.

Budget: MGNREGA allocation hiked by Rs 3,800 crore

Budget: MGNREGA allocation hiked by Rs 3,800 crore

Rediff.com29 Feb 2016

'If the total amount is spent, it will be highest Budget spend on MGNREGA.'

Hope my demotion won't last long: Omar's banter with Modi

Hope my demotion won't last long: Omar's banter with Modi

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

Mixing humour with political resolve, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday used the flagging-off ceremony of the first train to Kashmir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Katra to subtly but clearly articulate his government's demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

Sitharaman's parents in Parliament to watch Budget

Sitharaman's parents in Parliament to watch Budget

Rediff.com5 Jul 2019

Savitri and Narayanan Sitharaman arrived in a separate car in Parliament.

How right is it to use budget as tool to win polls, asks Sena

How right is it to use budget as tool to win polls, asks Sena

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

Accusing the Centre of setting a new trend of playing "dirty politics" for votes through the budget, an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said the allocation of more funds to poll-bound states is a kind of "bribery".

Budget 2023-24: T V Somanathan to Ajay Seth, meet the FM's crack squad

Budget 2023-24: T V Somanathan to Ajay Seth, meet the FM's crack squad

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

Coming Wednesday, Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 2023 Union Budget - the last full Budget ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. While India exited 2022 as a relatively bright spot in the global economy, the FM will endeavour to present a Budget that insulates India's economy against global headwinds and recession in advanced economies, while sticking to the path of fiscal consolidation. In this, she is being helped by her core team of trusted advisors.

PM seeks ideas for Budget, meets economists, experts

PM seeks ideas for Budget, meets economists, experts

Rediff.com9 Jan 2020

"The Union Budget represents the aspirations of 130 crore Indians and lays out the path towards India's development. I invite you all to share your ideas and suggestions for this year's Budget on MyGov," the PM said according to a statement posted on his official website on Thursday.

Budget is an exercise in hiding bad government finances

Budget is an exercise in hiding bad government finances

Rediff.com18 Jul 2019

'No Budget has so far has addressed the issue of the government's abysmal productivity of capital spending, improving which will be the big game changer. 'But, the government's tight lock on businesses, banks, education, and even essential services like transportation and large parts of infrastructure and healthcare is destroying capital year after year,' points out Debashis Basu.

Why the interim Budget will be different this time

Why the interim Budget will be different this time

Rediff.com15 Nov 2018

There was no law that prevented the government from presenting a sixth full Budget, or something similar to it.

Will Modi Sarkar come out with a 6th Budget?

Will Modi Sarkar come out with a 6th Budget?

Rediff.com17 Aug 2017

This will violate the time-honoured convention that a government elected for a five-year tenure presents only five full Budgets, but the NDA government will no doubt present it as yet another initiative of Mr Modi.

What Centre Will Shell Out For AP, Bihar

What Centre Will Shell Out For AP, Bihar

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

While Andhra Pradesh is expected to receive Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore, Bihar is likely to get Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore in FY25.

A summary of the budget

A summary of the budget

Rediff.com8 Jul 2004

A summary of the budget speech of Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Why the first post-GST Budget will be 'different'

Why the first post-GST Budget will be 'different'

Rediff.com26 Sep 2017

The forthcoming Budget, the last full one before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is expected to contain a number of sops and feel-good announcements, especially regarding social sector schemes.

Govt to borrow record Rs 15.4 lakh crore in FY24

Govt to borrow record Rs 15.4 lakh crore in FY24

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The government plans to borrow a record Rs 15.4 lakh crore from dated securities in FY24 to meet its expenditure requirement to prop up the economy.

New-look Budget may skip levy on cars, consumer durables...

New-look Budget may skip levy on cars, consumer durables...

Rediff.com2 Dec 2016

Budget planners for now have been told to prepare with the assumption that GST will apply from April 1.

GST collection at record Rs 1.40 lakh cr in Jan: FM

GST collection at record Rs 1.40 lakh cr in Jan: FM

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

GST collections touched a record of Rs 1.40 lakh crore in January on rapid economic recovery, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. In her 2022-23 Budget speech, the minister said there has been a remarkable progress made in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, but still a few challenges remain. "Gross GST collection in January at record Rs 1,40,986 crores; this has been possible due to rapid economic recovery," she said while presenting the Budget in the Lok Sabha. January is the seventh straight month when the GST collection has crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark.

'No Plan To Phase Out Old I-T Regime'

'No Plan To Phase Out Old I-T Regime'

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

'Going forward, the encouragement would be to move to the new tax regime.'

Budget lacks any serious measures to boost revenue: Moody's

Budget lacks any serious measures to boost revenue: Moody's

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The budget underscores government's previous emphasis on capex to sustain near-term recovery from the pandemic, while simultaneously paving the way for longer-term restructuring of the economy, it stated. But the various spending initiatives are not offset by any significant announcements related to further increase revenue generation; rather, the announced revenue-related measures are aimed at other objectives such as fostering startup innovation, ensuring more equitable treatment for cooperatives and state employees, and promoting tax compliance through simplification, Christian de Guzman, a senior vice-president, sovereign risk group, Moody's Investors Service, said.

HC relief for Union minister Shobha Karandlaje over cafe blast remarks

HC relief for Union minister Shobha Karandlaje over cafe blast remarks

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

Justice Krishna S Dixit, presiding over a single judge bench, issued notice to the parties concerned and paused the ongoing investigation.

Duty hike on cigarettes to have little impact on prices

Duty hike on cigarettes to have little impact on prices

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

The duty hike on cigarettes by 16 per cent announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 would have a nominal impact of around 7-12 paise per stick across cigarette categories, according to experts. This upward revision in National Calamity Contingent Duty (NCCD) would have negligible impact on smokers and the companies could easily absorb the shock as it may not also have any resultant impact on margins, they said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama in the Union Budget for 2023-24 on Wednesday proposed to revise and increase the duty on cigarettes to about 16 per cent.

Like Abhimanyu, India trapped in BJP's 'chakravyuh': Rahul

Like Abhimanyu, India trapped in BJP's 'chakravyuh': Rahul

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

Using the Mahabharat reference as a leitmotif, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed that an atmosphere of fear prevails all around with a group of six trapping the entire country in a 'chakravyuh' he promised would be broken by the INDIA bloc.

Sitharaman, 6th FM to present budget 5 times in a row

Sitharaman, 6th FM to present budget 5 times in a row

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

Other ministers who have presented five straight annual financial statements include Arun Jaitley, P Chidambaram, Yashwant Sinha, Manmohan Singh and Morarji Desai.

After 3 years, direct tax collections surpass Budget estimates

After 3 years, direct tax collections surpass Budget estimates

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

After a gap of three years, direct tax collections -- which include corporate tax and personal income tax -- have exceeded the Budget estimates for FY'22, indicating economic recovery.

Case of wrong diagnosis and prescription: Cong on Budget

Case of wrong diagnosis and prescription: Cong on Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

The Congress on Monday strongly criticised the Union budget, saying Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech was oblivious to the declining GDP and the budget was a case of "wrong diagnosis and prescription".

This Budget Is A Statement Of Confidence

This Budget Is A Statement Of Confidence

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

'Indian families' needs and expectations have gone through a revolution across economic demographics.' 'As this latest Modi-Sitharaman Budget demonstrated, politicians have understood this change. They are responding to it,' points out Shekhar Gupta.

You dismissed the subject in just 10 words: Chidambaram cautions govt on inflation

You dismissed the subject in just 10 words: Chidambaram cautions govt on inflation

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

He argued that if inflation is low, stable and moving towards the 4 per cent target, why has the RBI not revised downward the bank rate fixed in June 2023?

'Tubelights': Oppn slams BJP MPs over remarks against SC

'Tubelights': Oppn slams BJP MPs over remarks against SC

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

The Congress party has accused the BJP of engaging in "damage control" after the party distanced itself from comments made by two of its MPs, Nishikant Dubey and Dinesh Sharma, criticizing the Supreme Court. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that the BJP's clarification was merely an attempt to mitigate the damage caused by the MPs' remarks and that the party's actions were hypocritical, given the silence of the BJP president on similar comments made by other party members.

Defence budget raised to Rs 5.25 lakh crore

Defence budget raised to Rs 5.25 lakh crore

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

In the Union Budget presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a total of Rs 1,52,369 crore has been set aside for capital expenditure that includes purchasing new weapons, aircraft, warships and other military hardware.

Govt enhances PLI scheme for domestic solar cells

Govt enhances PLI scheme for domestic solar cells

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday proposed enhancing the funding under the PLI scheme for domestic solar cells and module manufacturing to Rs 24,000 crore from the existing Rs 4,500 crore to make India an exporting nation. "For facilitating domestic manufacturing for the ambitious goal of 280GW of installed solar capacity by 2030, an additional allocation of Rs 19,500 crore for PLI scheme for manufacturing of high efficiency (solar) modules with priority of fully integrate manufacturing units for polysilicon to solar PV modules will be made," Sitharaman said in her Budget speech in the Lok Sabha. In April 2021, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 4,500 crore production linked incentive (PLI) scheme to boost domestic manufacturing capacity of solar PV modules.

INDIA partners Cong, CPM spar in RS over Kerala ASHA workers' strike

INDIA partners Cong, CPM spar in RS over Kerala ASHA workers' strike

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

A heated debate erupted in the Rajya Sabha over the ongoing strike by ASHA workers in Kerala, with Congress and CPI(M) MPs trading accusations over responsibility for addressing their demands for a higher honorarium and post-retirement benefits. Congress MP Jebi Mather alleged that both the Kerala government and the Union government had ignored the workers' pleas, while CPI(M) MP John Brittas countered by claiming Kerala provides the highest honorarium to ASHA workers. The debate also saw demands for an AIIMS in Kerala and a hike in MBBS seats, as well as concerns over maternal health, elderly care, and mental health in India.

Railways' gift:  'Anubhuti' you won't forget

Railways' gift: 'Anubhuti' you won't forget

Rediff.com26 Feb 2013

The Indian Railways has proposed to introduce a modern coach "Anubhuti" with good ambience in the premier Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains providing higher travel comfort to passengers.

When Modi thumped the desk once too often

When Modi thumped the desk once too often

Rediff.com1 Feb 2018

The prime minister was often seen vigorously thumping the desk, prompting his Cabinet colleagues and NDA MPs to follow suit.

Is Defence Budget Enough To Counter China, Pakistan?

Is Defence Budget Enough To Counter China, Pakistan?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

To threaten China and Pakistan, and then to sharply cut back on military funding, bespeaks a remarkable trust in Beijing and Islamabad that is not borne out by anything they say or do, notes Ajai Shukla.