News for 'Union Finance'

Kremlin Didn't Know About Modi Gesture

Kremlin Didn't Know About Modi Gesture

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

The Russians have termed Putin's visit to India, his first to this country since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, as 'Druzhba Dosti', which means 'friendship' in Russian and Hindi respectively.

Bihar Polls: Makhana Turns Into Political Hot Potato

Bihar Polls: Makhana Turns Into Political Hot Potato

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

As it gains commercial viability, the food will likely become a powerful political currency.

Gems & jewellery exports slipped 30% in October: GJEPC

Gems & jewellery exports slipped 30% in October: GJEPC

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

India's gems & jewellery exports witnessed 30.6 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) contraction in October to $2.17 million, amid the imposition of a steep 50 per cent tariff by the United States (US) on several Indian products.

Assam varsity shut after protest against VC over corruption charges

Assam varsity shut after protest against VC over corruption charges

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

Students at Tezpur University in Assam have shut down the institution, protesting against Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh over allegations of corruption and financial irregularities. The shutdown has led to the cancellation of end-term examinations and has garnered support from teachers and non-teaching staff.

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

'Pronouncements On Paper Don't Feed Babies'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'These children possess catastrophically low birth weights -- often 1.4 kgs or less. Such extremely low birth weight results in profoundly compromised neo-natal immunity.' 'The escalation to 97 deaths in three months precipitated contemporary attention precisely because this magnitude concentrates the humanitarian emergency, rendering it impossible for the administrative machinery to ignore.'

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Even if D K Shivakumar wanted to oust Siddaramaiah, whose support would he take?
The shrewd politician that he is, Siddaramaiah figured his rival had no option but to lump it, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Why States Miss Monthly Spending Ceilings

Why States Miss Monthly Spending Ceilings

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

CAG warns most states of fiscal imprudence as March spending overshoots limits, with key departments exhausting large portions of budgets in the last month of FY24.

'Govt Has Executed A Commendable Task'

'Govt Has Executed A Commendable Task'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

'...not merely in managing fiscal mathematics, but in demonstrating conservatism and prudence within that framework.' 'Looking forward, we believe sufficient growth drivers exist -- ranging from government reforms to revival in consumption to favourable monsoons. Numerous factors support the Indian economy.'

'I Won't Wait For Decades To Get Reform Done'

'I Won't Wait For Decades To Get Reform Done'

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

'That is going to have an impact on literally every one, whether you buy a toothpaste, a safety pin, a car, shoes or medicines or you go to a diagnostic centre.'

India needs world-class banks; in talks with RBI, lenders: Sitharaman

India needs world-class banks; in talks with RBI, lenders: Sitharaman

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the country needs big and world-class banks, and discussions are on with the Reserve Bank and lenders in this regard.

'Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai' mirrors Nitish Kumar's refusal to slow down

'Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai' mirrors Nitish Kumar's refusal to slow down

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

The Bihar chief minister had a point to prove in the latest assembly elections, which were held amid speculations of a fatigue factor, if not downright anti-incumbency, made worse by rumours of his indifferent health.

Will Buy Russian Oil: Sitharaman

Will Buy Russian Oil: Sitharaman

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

New Delhi 'will have to take a call which supply source suits us the best,' the finance minister said, pointing out that crude oil accounts for the bulk of India's foreign exchange spend.

PSBs' share in household deposits falls to 63%; private banks gain ground

PSBs' share in household deposits falls to 63%; private banks gain ground

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Public sector banks (PSBs) have seen a sharp drop in household deposits from 70.6 per cent to 63 per cent in contrast with private banks, which witnessed a surge from 27.1 per cent to 34.1 per cent.

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

'The question for the TMC is not whether it can hold its bastions, but whether it can expand effectively into regions where the BJP already possesses a good ecosystem.'

PHOTOS: When netas roll out mats for Yoga Day

PHOTOS: When netas roll out mats for Yoga Day

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Take a look at our leaders taking to the yoga mats on this special day.

Private Talent At PSU Banks Is Welcome, But...

Private Talent At PSU Banks Is Welcome, But...

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Opening up the corner office is fine, but will the government be able to attract talent without giving a market-rate salary?, asks Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Making Robots To Help Humanity

Making Robots To Help Humanity

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

'Our vision is to innovate as many products as we can and solve as many problems as possible.'

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

'My God, The Number Of Meetings We Had On GST!'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

'It was like rigorously preparing for a solid, good exam...' 'I don't know what marks I will get, but I felt the rigorous preparation of an exam.' 'You may sweat, but I feel rejuvenated.'

Privatisation of banks unlikely to hurt national interest: FM

Privatisation of banks unlikely to hurt national interest: FM

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday allayed apprehension that privatisation of state-owned banks would hurt financial inclusion and national interest. She said the bank nationalisation done in 1969 has not yielded the desired result as far as financial inclusion was concerned.

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has sought urgent steps to clear the huge backlog of income-tax appeals, simplify tax deducted at source (TDS) compliance, and ensure tax neutrality for fast-track demergers, during its consultation with Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27.

Why US-China Face-Off Is Advantage India

Why US-China Face-Off Is Advantage India

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Amid US-China trade tensions and economic vulnerabilities, India must seize the 'China +1' opportunity, deepen reforms, secure FTAs, and globalise its firms for long-term growth, suggests Ajay Shah.

'Bihar, bidis start with B': Congress's GST post triggers row

'Bihar, bidis start with B': Congress's GST post triggers row

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

Union Minister Nityanand Rai launched a scathing attack on Congress, stating that the party takes "pleasure" in insulting Bihar and its people.

Separatist mindset dominates DMK's model of politics: Sitharaman

Separatist mindset dominates DMK's model of politics: Sitharaman

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticizes the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, alleging corruption, caste-based crimes, and a rise in drug abuse. She dismisses the DMK's claims about language and Dravidian identity as a distraction from their governance failures.

Operation Blue Star was wrong, Mrs Gandhi paid with life: P Chidambaram

Operation Blue Star was wrong, Mrs Gandhi paid with life: P Chidambaram

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

Chidambaram said that Operation Black Thunder was the right way to retrieve the Golden Temple, by keeping the Army out of the Sikh worship place.

Sitharaman on the merits of next gen GST reforms

Sitharaman on the merits of next gen GST reforms

Rediff.com2 Sep 2025

The next generation GST reforms would 'absolutely' set an economy open and transparent with further reduction in compliance burden and benefiting small businesses, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday.

Bank unions defer 2-day nationwide strike

Bank unions defer 2-day nationwide strike

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Bank unions on Friday deferred their two-day nationwide strike beginning Monday after they received positive assurance from both the finance ministry and the IBA on their demands, including a five-day work week and adequate recruitment in all cadres. The strike call for March 24 and 25 was given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation of nine bank employees' association.

GST 2.0 Needs Deeper Reforms

GST 2.0 Needs Deeper Reforms

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

Since items in the 12% category account for only about 5% of total GST, the additional boost to consumption may not be significant, points out M Govinda Rao.

'Petrol, Diesel In GST? Not In Immediate Future'

'Petrol, Diesel In GST? Not In Immediate Future'

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

'Tax cannot be emotional.'

'One episode of financial instability can take us many years behind'

'One episode of financial instability can take us many years behind'

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra, with Deputy Governors Poonam Gupta, Swaminathan J, T Rabi Sankar, and M Rajeshwar Rao, responded to a range of queries in the post-policy interaction with the media

India Opens Doors To Foreign Banks, But...

India Opens Doors To Foreign Banks, But...

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

But selectively, with regulatory scrutiny and special approval, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Next-Gen GST a step towards single tax slab

Next-Gen GST a step towards single tax slab

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The proposed 'Next Gen GST' with sweeping reforms, lower tax rates, and just two slabs, aims to boost the economy amid tariff threats and set the stage for a single tax rate regime by the time India becomes a developed nation, government sources said.

New I-T rules to be notified by Dec-end

New I-T rules to be notified by Dec-end

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

The Income Tax department is working on simplified I-T forms and aims to notify new rules by December-end to give effect to the new I-T Act, which will come into force from April 1 next year, a senior tax official said on Monday.

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

'On Track For GDP Growth Exceeding 6.8%'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'I will not be surprised if there is a 7 per cent handle in front of the decimal place for the full financial year.'

Naxal-hit districts down to three from six: Home Ministry

Naxal-hit districts down to three from six: Home Ministry

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

The Ministry of Home Affairs reports a significant reduction in the number of districts most affected by Naxalism, highlighting the government's efforts to combat Left Wing Extremism.

Tata group top leaders meet Amit Shah, Sitharaman

Tata group top leaders meet Amit Shah, Sitharaman

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Top honchos of the Tata group, including Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, on Tuesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman amid infighting among trustees over board appointments and governance issues.

'Ek baar aap GST dekh lo': PM's nudge ushered in biggest GST reform in 8 yrs

'Ek baar aap GST dekh lo': PM's nudge ushered in biggest GST reform in 8 yrs

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

'Ek baar aap GST dekh lo!' - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gentle nudge to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in December last year sparked the beginning of a mammoth exercise to overhaul the tangled goods and services tax regime. And the final outcome is a significantly simplified system with lower tax rates and easier compliance for businesses.

'Don't Compare Sindoor With 26/11'

'Don't Compare Sindoor With 26/11'

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

'The preparedness of our defence forces and positioning of intelligence assets were very different in 2008, so we had to rebuild our assets and preparedness.'

Noel Tata, two others block Mehli Mistry's reappointment as trustee

Noel Tata, two others block Mehli Mistry's reappointment as trustee

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and two other powerful trustees considered close to him blocked the reappointment of late Ratan Tata's close associate and businessman Mehli Mistry as trustee, deepening the rift at the philanthropic arm that controls the holding company of Tata Group, people familiar with the matter said.

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

'I Can't Say On September 22, I Will Be With A Stick'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

'I am doing the drive in making sure that people pass this on. So the drive is not with distrust. The drive is just in case.' 'Just in case it doesn't get passed on, I am here.'

'Band-aid' solution: Oppn on PM's address to nation on GST

'Band-aid' solution: Oppn on PM's address to nation on GST

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

The Congress party has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of GST reforms, calling them inadequate and demanding an apology for the tax imposed on essential items. They argue that the reforms are merely a 'band-aid' solution and that the government should address the states' demand for extended compensation.