News for 'Union Budget'

Govt to operationalise Rs 1-trillion innovation fund in next 3 months

Govt to operationalise Rs 1-trillion innovation fund in next 3 months

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The Rs 1-trillion Research Development and Innovation (RDI) fund, which was announced in the July budget for FY25, of which Rs 20,000 crore has already been allocated, will be operationalised in the next two to three months, a top official said.

Over Rs 946 cr allocated to CBI in Budget 2023

Over Rs 946 cr allocated to CBI in Budget 2023

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The agency received Rs 911 crore to manage its affairs in the Budget Estimates for 2022-23, which was later decreased to Rs 906.59 crore in the Revised Estimates.

TDS on income from G-sec unlikely to impact retail participation

TDS on income from G-sec unlikely to impact retail participation

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

The introduction of tax deducted at source (TDS) on income from central government securities and state bonds may not lead to a significant effect on retail participation, according to market participants. The Union Budget proposed that starting October 1, 2024, investors may face a 10 per cent TDS on investments in central government securities and state development loans (SDLs). "Last Budget, TDS on interest on securities was reintroduced.

Cong moves privilege notice against Amit Shah over Sonia statement

Cong moves privilege notice against Amit Shah over Sonia statement

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

In his notice to the chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Congress leader alleged that the home minister had made unfounded allegations against chairperson of Congress parliamentary party with "a premeditated motive to malign her reputation."

Despite 6.6% growth, auto dealers have mixed expectations

Despite 6.6% growth, auto dealers have mixed expectations

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

The Indian automobile retail sector saw a strong start to 2025, with overall sales increasing by 6.6 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in January, according to the latest report by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Despite the positive numbers, the association noted that auto dealers have mixed expectations for the coming months. Nearly half (46 per cent) anticipate further growth in sales, while 43 per cent believe sales will remain steady.

Investors budget for growth on Feb 1; tax sops for salaried expected

Investors budget for growth on Feb 1; tax sops for salaried expected

Rediff.com24 Jan 2023

Reminiscent of the past two years, the market has made positive strides ahead of the Union Budget 2023-24 (FY24). The benchmark National Stock Exchange Nifty has gained 1.8 per cent in the last month. Typically, markets tend to gain ahead of the Budget as investors build in optimism.

What Indian taxpayers want from CBDT

What Indian taxpayers want from CBDT

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

An Income-Tax Department internal committee reviewing the old direct tax law to pave the way for a new one has "largely" received suggestions for "simplifying" the language, better "structuring" the provisions and enlarging the ambit of schemes like presumptive taxation, CBDT chairman Ravi Agrawal said Sunday. Speaking to PTI during a post-Budget interview at his North Block office, Agrawal said the panel also "studied" the deliberations and processes of countries like the UK, Australia and some others where a similar tax law simplification exercise was undertaken.

Fiscal deficit in Apr-Aug at 27% of full-year target

Fiscal deficit in Apr-Aug at 27% of full-year target

Rediff.com30 Sep 2024

The Centre's fiscal deficit at the end of the first five months of the current fiscal touched 27 per cent of the full-year target, government data showed on Monday. In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit -- the gap between expenditure and revenue -- was at Rs 4,35,176 crore as of August-end, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA). The deficit stood at 36 per cent of the Budget Estimates (BE) in the corresponding period of 2023-24.

Sitharaman on how India will remain an engine of growth despite Trump's tariff

Sitharaman on how India will remain an engine of growth despite Trump's tariff

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

The resilience of the economy and strength of domestic demand will continue to make India an engine of growth amid the rapidly evolving global trade landscape as a result of US tariffs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in London on Tuesday.

Budget 2023: What bankers want from Sitharaman

Budget 2023: What bankers want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com17 Jan 2023

Ahead of the Union Budget, the banking sector, through the Indian Banks' Association (IBA), has made recommendations to the Union finance ministry on direct tax, including removing Section 194N of the Income Tax Act. According to Section 194N, tax deduction at source (TDS) has to be done if a sum or sums withdrawn in cash by a person in a fiscal year exceed Rs 20 lakh if no income-tax return (ITR) has been filed for the three previous assessment years, and Rs 1 crore if ITRs have been filed in all the three previous assessment years.

India sees record deal activity in Feb at $7.2 bn

India sees record deal activity in Feb at $7.2 bn

Rediff.com15 Mar 2025

India witnessed a record-breaking surge in deal activity in February, with 226 M&A and private equity deals totaling $7.2 billion -- the highest monthly deal volume in the last three years, according to the Dealtracker report of Grant Thornton Bharat. "This represents a 67 per cent increase in volumes and a 5.4-fold increase in values compared to February 2024, while a 14 per cent increase over the previous month," it said.

They tried to...: Modi slams Oppn before Parliament session

They tried to...: Modi slams Oppn before Parliament session

Rediff.com22 Jul 2024

Modi also slammed the "negative politics" of some parties and said they used Parliament's time to hide their failures.

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Vijay's Political Challenge Begins Now

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

Vijay, with his chief ministerial ambitions, is a one-man army, at least as of now, and his campaign team considers him omnipresent. He has to be present in all districts, if not all constituencies at the same time, as there is no second-line leader or platform speaker in the party, who can draw crowds, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

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.

SBI pegs GDP growth at 6.3%; lower than govt estimate

SBI pegs GDP growth at 6.3%; lower than govt estimate

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

The GDP growth is expected to be about 6.3 per cent in the current fiscal year, a tad lower than the government's estimate of 6.4 per cent, owing to several factors such as weak demand, SBI research report said on Wednesday. According to the first advance estimates (FAE) of National Income for 2024-25 released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), released on Tuesday, India's economic growth rate is estimated to slip to a four-year low of 6.4 per cent in 2024-25, because of poor showing by the manufacturing and subdued investments.

Modi joins Rahul vs Anurag showdown over 'caste'

Modi joins Rahul vs Anurag showdown over 'caste'

Rediff.com31 Jul 2024

As the row erupted in Parliament, the Congress said the Gandhi family's caste is martyrdom but the BJP-RSS will never understand that.

Railway Budget to be history

Railway Budget to be history

Rediff.com22 Aug 2016

The Union Budget for 2017 is likely to be presented on February 1. An approval for merging the Railway Budget with the General Budget was accorded by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday.

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Manas Sood, a Class 12 student from the Delhi Public School, has distributed 2,650 boxes of Tax City Education and empowered over 12,000 students from 52 schools across India. His aim? To help young Indians understand taxes and become financially literate.

More than 90% taxpayers may switch to new regime: CBDT chief

More than 90% taxpayers may switch to new regime: CBDT chief

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

The Budget announcement of zero tax for earnings upto Rs 12 lakh per annum and the rejig of tax slabs across the board should prompt more than 90 per cent of individual taxpayers to embrace the new tax regime as compared to the about 75 per cent as of now, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal said. Agrawal also highlighted the government's focus on "non-intrusive" tax administration through enhanced use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and simplified tax processes for common taxpayers. He emphasized the benefits of the new tax regime (NTR), which offers simple calculations and allows taxpayers to file their ITR without professional help. The CBDT chief stated that the Budget provisions related to income tax payment benefit all income earners, not just those earning Rs 12 lakh per annum, creating a positive sentiment in the economy and propelling growth. The department is also harnessing technology, including AI and data analytics, to widen and deepen the tax base, resulting in increased compliance and tax revenue. Agrawal further highlighted the positive impact of data availability and simplified tax processes on compliance rates, citing examples of taxpayers filing revised returns and paying taxes after being prompted by the department's data analysis.

Census with caste enumeration to begin from Oct 1, 2026

Census with caste enumeration to begin from Oct 1, 2026

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Census exercise with caste enumeration will be carried out with the reference date of October 1, 2026, in snow-bound areas like Ladakh and of March 1, 2027, in the rest of the country, the Home Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Rate Jaitley's Budget 2017-18 speech

Rate Jaitley's Budget 2017-18 speech

Rediff.com1 Feb 2017

Are you happy with his proposals? How would you rate the speech? Tell us...

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com19 Jan 2025

Corporate earnings from blue-chips like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Donald Trump's swearing-in as the US President, and trading activity of foreign investors are the key factors to drive equity markets this week, analysts said. Trump will be sworn in as the US president for a second term on Monday. This week, several key Nifty-50 companies, including BPCL, HDFC Bank, Hindustan Unilever, Dr Reddy's, UltraTech Cement, JSW Steel and ICICI Bank are scheduled to announce their financial results.

Olympics: Amit Shah says, ten stadiums to be built in Ahmedabad

Olympics: Amit Shah says, ten stadiums to be built in Ahmedabad

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

'India has resolved to hold the 2036 Olympic Games in these 10 complexes.'

Sitharaman kicks off Budget process with halwa ceremony

Sitharaman kicks off Budget process with halwa ceremony

Rediff.com20 Jan 2020

The 'halwa ceremony' marks the beginning of the lockdown of several officials in the finance ministry, who remain cut off from their families until the presentation of the Budget by the finance minister in the Lok Sabha.

How Kerala Aims to Be India's First Poverty Free State

How Kerala Aims to Be India's First Poverty Free State

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Despite facing financial constraints, Kerala has been able to invest in welfare schemes and targeted programmes.

Avoid Budget Related Market Speculation

Avoid Budget Related Market Speculation

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Buying or selling securities based on rumours about expected changes in tax rates or sectoral sops can backfire, advises Sarbajeet K Sen.

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.

What India Inc says about Budget 2022

What India Inc says about Budget 2022

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday unveiled a Rs 39.45 lakh crore Budget with a view to fire up the key engines of the economy to sustain a world-beating recovery from the pandemic. This was Sitharaman's fourth Budget. While the taxpayers were left in the lurch, once again, was she able to cheer Corporate India?

Rail stocks may chug along till Budget; book profit selectively: Analysts

Rail stocks may chug along till Budget; book profit selectively: Analysts

Rediff.com16 Dec 2022

The dream-run in railway stocks may soon run out of steam, caution analysts. The rally, which has lasted nearly a year, may meet time-wise correction post the Union Budget announcements as investors begin scalping profits. "There is going to be a build-up in expectations for the sector from the Union Budget, which is still two-odd months away.

Investors expect balanced Budget; focus on job creation, infra spending

Investors expect balanced Budget; focus on job creation, infra spending

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

Stock market investors are expecting a balanced Budget with a focus on job creation, increased spending on infrastructure, reigning in the deficit, and bringing the economy back on track, experts said on Wednesday. Stock markets have been subdued in the run-up to the Union Budget with BSE's benchmark Sensex is almost flat so far this month. Even the corporate earning season failed to excite the markets, while some indices like IT and bankex have seen some positive movements.

Utility vehicle demand drives PV sales to record high at over 43 lakh units in FY25: SIAM

Utility vehicle demand drives PV sales to record high at over 43 lakh units in FY25: SIAM

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Passenger vehicle dispatches in India from factories to dealers rose to record levels at over 43 lakh units in FY25, with utility vehicles accounting for 65 per cent of the total sales in the segment, industry body SIAM said on Tuesday. Passenger vehicle (PV) dispatches rose to 43,01,848 units in the last fiscal year, marking a 2 per cent increase compared to 42,18,750 units in FY 2023-24.

Nirmala's family in Parliament to watch Budget

Nirmala's family in Parliament to watch Budget

Rediff.com1 Feb 2020

Like last year, Sitharaman opted for a traditional 'bahi-khata' to carry budget documents. Dressed in a crisp yellow silk saree, the minister carried the documents wrapped in a red silk cloth, adorned with the Indian emblem in golden.

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.

Budget: Will Nirmalaji Loosen Purse Strings For Poll Gains?

Budget: Will Nirmalaji Loosen Purse Strings For Poll Gains?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

The finance minister's assertion that industry should not expect any spectacular announcements in the 2024 interim Budget suggest that the electoral imperatives of more tax concessions or higher expenditure on welfarist programmes could be far less pronounced than they were before the 2019 interim Budget, expects A K Bhattacharya.

Review Tax Regime, Plan Investments

Review Tax Regime, Plan Investments

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Review your family emergency fund and replenish it if needed. Revisit financial goals to see if there is any change in timeline or the corpus required.

Stock markets to remain open on Budget day

Stock markets to remain open on Budget day

Rediff.com22 Jan 2020

The decision has been taken following requests made in this regard by market participants as Budget contains several market-moving announcements.

2024 Interim Budget: Mistakes Nirmalaji Can Avoid

2024 Interim Budget: Mistakes Nirmalaji Can Avoid

Rediff.com11 Oct 2023

Pre-Budget excercise next month should scrupulously avoid adventurism of all types and refrain from making excessively ambitious projections on revenue and expenditure numbers for 2023-24, suggests A K Bhattacharya.

Defence budget hiked by Rs 69,000 cr to Rs 5.94 lakh crore

Defence budget hiked by Rs 69,000 cr to Rs 5.94 lakh crore

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The defence budget was increased to Rs 5.94 lakh crore for 2023-24, up from last year's allocation of Rs 5.25 lakh crore.

Remove protected monument status of Aurangzeb's tomb: Shiv Sena to Centre

Remove protected monument status of Aurangzeb's tomb: Shiv Sena to Centre

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

The Shiv Sena, a ruling party in Maharashtra, has demanded the removal of the protected monument status from Aurangzeb's tomb in Khultabad. This demand comes after protests and calls for the tomb's demolition from organizations like the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protects the tomb as a monument of national importance. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that the state government will protect the tomb but will not allow the glorification of Aurangzeb.

2026 TN polls will see DMK-TVK clash, Vijay tells party meet

2026 TN polls will see DMK-TVK clash, Vijay tells party meet

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

Actor Vijay, founder of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, has declared that his party will challenge the ruling DMK in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In a general council meeting, Vijay criticized the DMK's dynasty politics, their handling of law and order, and women's safety. He also targeted the BJP-led central government over issues like the Waqf Bill, delimitation, and the three-language policy. Vijay promised his party's support to working classes, government employees, and vowed to oppose projects harmful to natural resources and agriculture. He assured 100% safety for women and strict law and order if TVK forms the government. The party passed resolutions opposing the Waqf Bill, delimitation, and the three-language policy, and also voiced support for the two-language policy, finding a permanent solution for fishermen's issues, and opposing the Parandur airport project.