News for 'Union Finance Ministry'

I-T Portal: Infosys Deserved Better

I-T Portal: Infosys Deserved Better

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

The tax portal problem is a goof-up by both sides, and making Infosys the only villain in the story is quite unfair, argues Shyamal Majumdar.

DMK to weigh 'all options' against TN guv over Balaji sacking

DMK to weigh 'all options' against TN guv over Balaji sacking

Rediff.com30 Jun 2023

Sources said there was no need 'immediately' to look into legal aspects or consider anything else (such as the possibility of political interests over the dismissal and a counter-strategy to frustrate it), as the dismissal was now on hold.

Stringent guidelines for wilful defaulters on the cards

Stringent guidelines for wilful defaulters on the cards

Rediff.com28 Jun 2014

The Union finance ministry is planning to make rules regarding wilful defaulters more stringent, so that criminal charges can be pressed against such entities.

EPFO may pay 9% interest for 2015-16

EPFO may pay 9% interest for 2015-16

Rediff.com22 Jan 2016

The Finance Audit and Investment committee recommended 8.95% interest.

Maharashtra to pursue 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour project

Maharashtra to pursue 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour project

Rediff.com13 Nov 2013

The government and MMRDA are keen to develop the 22-km link, which will connect Sewri on the island city to Nhava Seva in Navi Mumbai, on an engineering, procurement and construction basis and not on the build-operate transfer model, considering past experience.

Centre may bring PSBs under Companies Act to enable sale

Centre may bring PSBs under Companies Act to enable sale

Rediff.com24 Apr 2021

The government can also individually exempt the PSBs, that are to be privatisated from the two Bank Nationalisation Acts. This will bring such lenders under Banking Regulation Act, and make them companies, reports Nikunj Ohri.

A peculiar problem plagues India's AI roadmap

A peculiar problem plagues India's AI roadmap

Rediff.com5 Jun 2019

National artificial intelligence unit stuck for lack of anchor department

Note ban objective was to squeeze out cash: Jaitley

Note ban objective was to squeeze out cash: Jaitley

Rediff.com30 Aug 2017

Jaitley said note ban has compelled people to deposit money into bank accounts.

Minister pitches for exporters' tax breaks

Minister pitches for exporters' tax breaks

Rediff.com5 Jun 2009

In its recommendations to the finance ministry, the commerce ministry has made a strong case for helping exports, particularly in the labour-intensive sectors like leather, textile and handicrafts.

Covid impact: Govt not to print Budget documents this year

Covid impact: Govt not to print Budget documents this year

Rediff.com11 Jan 2021

This will be the first time since the presentation of independent India's first budget on November 26, 1947, that the documents containing income and expenditure statement of the Union government along with finance bill, detailing new tax and other measures for the new financial year, will not be physically printed.

Capex by central public sector enterprises at 42% of FY24 target

Capex by central public sector enterprises at 42% of FY24 target

Rediff.com13 Sep 2023

Capital expenditure (capex) by 54 large central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and five departmental arms with an annual capex target of Rs 100 crore and above has reached around 42.5 per cent of their annual target of about Rs 7.33 trillion in this financial year so far, a senior official from the Ministry of Finance told Business Standard. "The Centre is pushing the big public undertakings in the infrastructure and refinery sector to achieve 90 per cent of their target by the end of the third quarter," he said. The capex by this group of CPSEs stands at around Rs 3.1 trillion in the April-August period so far.

Budget 2014: Tax woes of multi-national cos likely to end

Budget 2014: Tax woes of multi-national cos likely to end

Rediff.com24 Jun 2014

Budget may allow use of advance-pricing agreements for past cases.

FinMin approves SBI-SBS merger

FinMin approves SBI-SBS merger

Rediff.com14 Aug 2008

Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet had approved the merger of SBS with SBI. The boards of both the banks had given their approval for the merger in August last year. SBS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the State Bank of India. The merger would be effective from the 'date as may be notified by the Govt of India in the official Gazette'.

Reports of Jaitley's deteriorating health false: Govt

Reports of Jaitley's deteriorating health false: Govt

Rediff.com26 May 2019

'Reports in a section of media regarding Union Minister Shri Arun Jaitley's health condition are false and baseless. Media is advised to stay clear of rumour mongering,' Government Spokesman Sitanshu Kar tweeted.

Gadkari launches cow dung soap, bamboo water bottles

Gadkari launches cow dung soap, bamboo water bottles

Rediff.com1 Oct 2019

The bamboo water bottle is priced at Rs 560 and the soap variant of 125 grams costs Rs 125 each.

'Vibrant Gujarat is Davos of East'

'Vibrant Gujarat is Davos of East'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and the finance minister were in the commercial capital to participate in a road show organised jointly by the Gujarat government and Confederation of Indian Industry for the Vibrant Gujarat summit, slated for January next year.

Pranab Mukherjee gets diplomat as joint secy

Pranab Mukherjee gets diplomat as joint secy

Rediff.com2 Oct 2010

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has brought about a coup in North Block by bringing an Indian Foreign Service officer Venu Rajamoni as Joint Secretary to head multilateral institutions division.

PM to meet FinMin officials from all departments on June 20

PM to meet FinMin officials from all departments on June 20

Rediff.com15 Jun 2019

This meeting has led to the deferment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting by a day.

Next round of G20 meetings in Gujarat from March 27

Next round of G20 meetings in Gujarat from March 27

Rediff.com22 Mar 2023

Gujarat will host the next round of G20 meetings from March 27 to April 4, during which three conclaves will be held in the state on a range of issues, where delegates from different countries will converge for participation, an official said.

Dilli Gupshup: Narendra Modi: Mere paas youth hai!

Dilli Gupshup: Narendra Modi: Mere paas youth hai!

Rediff.com12 Feb 2013

Why is Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram worried? Who has the sharpest eye in the Congress? How is the Union law minister tackling the turmoil in his ministry? Catch up on all the gossip from Delhi, in this week's Dilli Gupshup.

Chidambaram's statement in 2014 on OROP was without cabinet nod: SC told

Chidambaram's statement in 2014 on OROP was without cabinet nod: SC told

Rediff.com22 Feb 2022

It added that following this, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare of Ministry of Defence vide communication dated November 7, 2015, conveyed the policy of OROP for the defence force personnel.

Social media platforms being used to raise terror funds: NIA chief

Social media platforms being used to raise terror funds: NIA chief

Rediff.com17 Nov 2022

India has evidence that social media platforms are being used to raise terror funds, NIA director general Dinkar Gupta said on Thursday, underlining that the issue will be deliberated during a two-day international ministerial conference on countering terror financing.

Why Finance Minister Jaitley disappointed Defence Minister Jaitley

Why Finance Minister Jaitley disappointed Defence Minister Jaitley

Rediff.com15 Jul 2014

The finance minister hiked the total defence expenditure from Rs 203,672 crore in FY 2013-2014 to Rs 229,000 crore for FY 2014-2015. Though the increase appears substantial, it is insufficient to undertake the military modernisation necessary to meet the emerging threats, feels Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

Petrol, diesel prices depend on govt, not crude rate!

Petrol, diesel prices depend on govt, not crude rate!

Rediff.com7 May 2020

'I have no problems with the finance ministry or with state governments treating petrol pump prices as the last resort for meeting their ambitious spending targets with very limited revenue resources.' 'But let's do away with this smokescreen of free pricing of petrol and diesel and go back to administered pricing regime,' says Dr Sudhir Bisht.

Post-coronavirus GDP, Budget targets likely in July

Post-coronavirus GDP, Budget targets likely in July

Rediff.com27 Apr 2020

'The numbers are null and void now. Look, we can give out projections now, but we know that a week later those numbers will also be irrelevant. So we need to wait,' a top government official said.

Why did govt sack so many tax officers?

Why did govt sack so many tax officers?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2019

'If more than 60 commissioner-level tax officials were compulsorily retired in the span of a few months, surely the malaise is far deeper,' notes A K Bhattacharya.

It's high time Modi govt shows us good economic growth

It's high time Modi govt shows us good economic growth

Rediff.com27 Jul 2015

The Indian stock markets may turn bearish after the US Fed decides to raise interest rates.

15th FC may hike grants, cut devolution to states

15th FC may hike grants, cut devolution to states

Rediff.com30 Jan 2020

Any reduction in devolution could aggravate the strained relations between the Centre and some opposition-ruled states on a number of issues, including CAA.

8.65% interest rate on EPF for 2018-19

8.65% interest rate on EPF for 2018-19

Rediff.com24 Sep 2019

This decision would pave the way for crediting Rs 54,000 crore as 8.65 per cent interest for 2018-19, into the accounts of more than 6 crore EPFO subscribers.

FinMin yet to take a call on 'tax on cash'

FinMin yet to take a call on 'tax on cash'

Rediff.com26 Jan 2017

A committee on digitalisation headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had in an interim report recommended taxing cash transactions of at least Rs 50,000 to promote digital payments.

Over half of Plan panel staff to be farmed out

Over half of Plan panel staff to be farmed out

Rediff.com2 Sep 2014

New body to replace Plan panel might retain 40% of existing staff

Govt seeks to improve disclosures by PSUs, asks for monthly data on capex

Govt seeks to improve disclosures by PSUs, asks for monthly data on capex

Rediff.com12 Sep 2022

The Centre is looking to improve disclosures made by public sector undertakings (PSUs), and has asked such companies to share monthly progress made on capital expenditure targets and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken by them. New details such as gender-wise reporting of contractual workers, unused land, and profit share in joint venture companies have also been added in the list of disclosures. The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), which publishes the Public Enterprises Survey and collects information for Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with PSUs, is looking to integrate data collected from government-owned companies.

PNB is at it again! Buys 3 Audi cars for top management

PNB is at it again! Buys 3 Audi cars for top management

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

PNB took the delivery of these high-end luxury cars worth approximately Rs 1.34 crore last month, unmindful of the coronavirus outbreak, subsequent nation-wide lockdown and its crippling effect on the financial sector as well as the economy. The annual depreciation on this purchase will be around about Rs 20 lakh.

Insurance companies yet to see fire sale of high-value life policies

Insurance companies yet to see fire sale of high-value life policies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2023

Many life insurance companies are yet to see a sharp spike in the sale of high-value policies as was widely expected in the aftermath of the government's decision to tax income from insurance policies having an aggregate premium above Rs 5 lakh in a year.

Govt drops bank M&A plans

Govt drops bank M&A plans

Rediff.com8 Feb 2010

In December last year, the finance ministry had asked five state-run banks -- Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India -- to explore merger opportunities in the banking industry.

ED attaches assets worth Rs 16.40 cr of Zakir Naik's family

ED attaches assets worth Rs 16.40 cr of Zakir Naik's family

Rediff.com19 Jan 2019

The ED identified the properties as Fatima Heights and Aafiyah Heights in Mumbai, an unnamed project in the Bhandup area of Maharashtra's capital city and a project named Engracia in Pune.

Despite the cut, EPF rate is still substantial

Despite the cut, EPF rate is still substantial

Rediff.com20 Dec 2016

'The rate of interest from the EPF is still attractive compared to the rates on fixed deposits, National Savings Scheme, Public Provident Fund...'

Will Govt Cut PSBs Loose?

Will Govt Cut PSBs Loose?

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

Merely bringing down the government stake below 51% may not find any taker for the PSBs. The government must bring down its holding to at least 26%, recommends Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

No plan to ban petrol-diesel vehicles: Gadkari

No plan to ban petrol-diesel vehicles: Gadkari

Rediff.com5 Sep 2019

"There were discussions and the ministry had received suggestions that petrol-diesel vehicles should be banned. I would like to clarify that the government does not intend to ban petrol and diesel vehicles. We are not going to do anything like that," Gadkari said, addressing a gathering at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) annual convention, 2019.

In ChatGPT's shadow, India readies for aggressive AI play

In ChatGPT's shadow, India readies for aggressive AI play

Rediff.com11 Mar 2023

The government has identified nine key focus areas in the AI national programme, including agriculture, education, Indian languages, smart cities, cybersecurity, transportation, and finance.