News for 'Union finance ministry'

FinMin for raising non-promoter shareholding

FinMin for raising non-promoter shareholding

Rediff.com8 Jul 2009

The Union finance ministry is in favour of increasing non-promoter shareholding in listed companies to 25 per cent of the equity base in a phased manner, so that the number of shares available for trading increases, said Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla.

'Penalise insurance cos for harassing customers'

'Penalise insurance cos for harassing customers'

Rediff.com15 Nov 2012

The East District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum made this recommendation while ordering Apollo Munich Health Insurance Co Ltd to pay over Rs 180,000 to a policy holder for not reimbursing his treatment expenses and illegally cancelling his insurance cover after he submitted his claim.

Ponzi schemes: Lawmakers quiz regulators, ministry officials

Ponzi schemes: Lawmakers quiz regulators, ministry officials

Rediff.com18 Sep 2014

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance's meeting comes against the backdrop of CBI probing the Saradha scam in which thousands of crores or rupees of gullible investors were allegedly swindled.

Rs 653 cr import duty evasion notice slapped on Xiaomi

Rs 653 cr import duty evasion notice slapped on Xiaomi

Rediff.com5 Jan 2022

Chinese phone maker Xiaomi's India unit has been slapped with a Rs 653 crore notice for alleged evasion of import duty, as per an official statement. A show-cause notice has been slapped on Xiaomi India following recovery of documents during searches on its premises that indicated remittance of royalty and licence fee to US and Chinese firms under contractual obligations, the union finance ministry said on Wednesday. Replying to an email query, a Xiaomi spokesperson said, "At Xiaomi India, we give utmost importance to ensuring we comply with all Indian laws.

Unions oppose move to increase EPFO investment in stocks

Unions oppose move to increase EPFO investment in stocks

Rediff.com25 May 2016

The finance ministry had last year notified a new investment pattern for EPFO.

GST shortfall: Centre to transfer Rs 6,000 cr to 16 states, 3 UTs

GST shortfall: Centre to transfer Rs 6,000 cr to 16 states, 3 UTs

Rediff.com2 Nov 2020

The finance ministry on Monday said it will transfer Rs 6,000 crore as the second tranche of GST compensation shortfall to 16 states and 3 Union Territories -- including Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, Puducherry and Delhi. The Centre had on October 23 transferred Rs 6,000 crore to 16 states and 2 UTs of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. In the second tranche of transfer, Union Territory of Puducherry has been included.

FinMin suggests forming an FM-headed council

FinMin suggests forming an FM-headed council

Rediff.com18 May 2010

The finance ministry has suggested forming a GST council, headed by the Union finance minister, to address disputes between the Centre and the states in the proposed GST regime.

Risk cover to double on Ulips

Risk cover to double on Ulips

Rediff.com21 Jun 2010

Finance ministry asks Irda to make this and other changes while clearing these products.

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Forty-five specialists will soon be joining key posts of joint secretaries, directors and deputy secretaries in different central ministries as part of the Modi government's ambitious plan to infuse fresh talent to further improve ease of governance.

National pension system added 21.5% fewer corporate subscribers in 2023

National pension system added 21.5% fewer corporate subscribers in 2023

Rediff.com4 Mar 2024

The National Pension System (NPS) added 21.5 per cent fewer fresh subscribers under the corporate segment in 2023 compared to the preceding year. Government officials and experts attribute it to the higher exemption limit of income tax of Rs 7 lakh announced in the FY24 Budget that no more requires employees under this income bracket to opt for NPS for tax-saving purposes. Data collated from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reveals that the corporate component is voluntary in nature and saw 158,212 new subscribers in 2023 compared to 201,517 during 2022.

Will Jaitley present his 6th full Budget next year?

Will Jaitley present his 6th full Budget next year?

Rediff.com6 Dec 2018

A K Bhattacharya lists three reasons why Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will most likely present a full Budget on February 1, 2019.

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Modi's top 4 retain portfolios; Nadda gets health, Shivraj agri

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Among the new entrants to the Union cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, Bharatiya Janata Party president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.

Inflation may stay elevated in coming months: FinMin

Inflation may stay elevated in coming months: FinMin

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

The finance ministry has cautioned that global and regional uncertainties and domestic disruptions may keep inflationary pressures elevated in the coming months, warranting "greater vigilance" by the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). "Russia's decision to terminate the Black Sea grain deal, along with dry conditions in major wheat-growing areas, caused a price spike in cereals. Domestic factors like white fly disease and an uneven distribution of monsoon exerted pressure on vegetable prices in India," the ministry said in its latest Monthly Economic Report for July, released on Tuesday. However, the report maintained, the recent price surge in certain food items "is expected to be transitory". "Tomato prices are likely to decline with the arrival of fresh stocks by the end of August or early September.

Excise cuts may be selectively withdrawn to boost

Excise cuts may be selectively withdrawn to boost

Rediff.com15 Jun 2009

The Union finance ministry is considering an increase in the central excise duty for some of the products that had benefited from the two rounds of reductions announced by the government as part of its fiscal stimulus measures last year.

Ireda's high valuation may limit further stock upside

Ireda's high valuation may limit further stock upside

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

State-owned Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency's (Ireda's) chairman and managing director Pradip Kumar Das has announced that the company has requested the government to allow it to carry out a follow-on public offer (FPO) as it will need further equity infusion to maintain the pace of growth. The FPO would aim to raise between Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. Ireda, which provides funding assistance and other services to renewable energy and energy efficiency/conservation projects and is 75 per cent owned by the government of India, has requested the Union Finance Ministry to be included under Section 54EC of the Income Tax Act, which will help reduce borrowing costs.

Meet India's chief economic advisor, Kaushik Basu

Meet India's chief economic advisor, Kaushik Basu

Rediff.com6 May 2011

North Block hasn't made a bureaucrat out of the chief economic advisor yet

Govt mulls easing tax structure for foreign investors

Govt mulls easing tax structure for foreign investors

Rediff.com15 Feb 2012

Finance Ministry meets market participants, wants feedback.

'FM not invited for pre-Budget meets by PMO'

'FM not invited for pre-Budget meets by PMO'

Rediff.com22 Jan 2020

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan claimed that Modi held 13 pre-Budget consultation meetings which were attended by top industrialists, but to none of these meetings Sitharaman was invited.

Bibek Debroy: A 'towering scholar' & economist

Bibek Debroy: A 'towering scholar' & economist

Rediff.com1 Nov 2024

Debroy's economic interests and research work covered numerous areas such as economic theory, income inequality, and infrastructure financing.

SBI strike to go on, talks fail

SBI strike to go on, talks fail

Rediff.com5 Apr 2006

With the agitating State Bank of India employees refusing to suspend their nationwide stir, the Delhi high court

Budget curtails carry-forward losses for mergers and acquisitions

Budget curtails carry-forward losses for mergers and acquisitions

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The Union Budget 2025-26, while promising a new framework for smoother mergers and acquisitions (M&As), has plugged a major loophole on carry-forward losses for a total of eight assessment years between amalgamating company and amalgamated company from the date of loss instead of date of the merger. For all mergers effected on or after April 1, 2025, the losses can be carried forward only for the residuary period (counting from the date of loss).

21 states opt for Rs 97,000-crore RBI window to meet GST shortfall

21 states opt for Rs 97,000-crore RBI window to meet GST shortfall

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

This may leave those not opting for any of the two options offered by the Centre before the GST Council meet scheduled for October 5 in the lurch. It is clear from the present situation that these states will have to wait till June 2022 to get their compensation, subject to the council extending the cess collection period beyond June 30, 2022.

BJP slams RBI's economic package

BJP slams RBI's economic package

Rediff.com25 Jun 2012

Value of rupee is an indication of complete failure of the government to achieve the desired results.

No Direct Taxes Code in Budget

No Direct Taxes Code in Budget

Rediff.com12 Feb 2010

The Direct Taxes Code 2009 is now on the back burner. The Union finance ministry has veered round to the view that its bold move to reform direct taxes should be subjected to further scrutiny. Contrary to earlier expectations, therefore, the Direct Taxes Code 2009 will not be presented to Parliament as a Bill along with the Union Budget for 20010-11on February 26.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

Sitharaman invites chipmakers to invest in India; offers sops

Sitharaman invites chipmakers to invest in India; offers sops

Rediff.com26 Apr 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday held a meeting with representatives of the semiconductor industry of the US and invited them to make further investments in India. The finance minister spoke about opportunities for companies situated in Silicon Valley and about the government of India's commitment to be a reliable player in the entire semiconductor value chain with dedicated incentive for the sector in mission mode through the Indian Semiconductor Mission. Last year, the government approved a Rs 76,000-crore scheme to boost semiconductor and display manufacturing in the country in a bid to position India as a global hub for hi-tech production, and attract large chip makers.

Nirmalaji And Why I Quit The Government

Nirmalaji And Why I Quit The Government

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

She said I treated her like a bachchi. At another moment, she said I had gone to various people and 'bitched' about her. She also threatened to bring the entire matter to the PM's notice. A revealing excerpt from Subhash Chandra Garg's We Also Make Policy: An Insider's Account of How the Finance Ministry Functions.

FinMin supports plan panel on road bid norms

FinMin supports plan panel on road bid norms

Rediff.com17 Jul 2010

The Union finance ministry has endorsed the views of Gajendra Haldea, infrastructure advisor to the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, who had objected to recent changes in bidding norms by the National Highways Authority of India.

Anurag Thakur given charge of Sports, I&B ministry

Anurag Thakur given charge of Sports, I&B ministry

Rediff.com7 Jul 2021

The 46-year-old MP from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh was among the 15 new Cabinet ministers who took oath in the first major rejig and expansion of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government after it returned to power for a second term in May 2019.

CA, CS handling client money in PMLA ambit; FinMin notifies rules

CA, CS handling client money in PMLA ambit; FinMin notifies rules

Rediff.com5 May 2023

To further tighten its control of practising accountants, the Centre has brought within the ambit of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) their "financial transactions" such as operating and managing their client firms and trusts, and buying and selling business entities. The Union finance ministry issued a gazette notification on this on Wednesday. Under the new rule, chartered accountants, company secretaries, and cost and works accountants carrying out such transactions (on behalf of their clients) will now be required to go through the Know Your Company (KYC) process before commencing work.

FinMin suspends e-filing of tax returns for now

FinMin suspends e-filing of tax returns for now

Rediff.com17 May 2010

The Union finance ministry has temporarily suspended the facility for e-filing of income tax returns as it could not procure a security certification for the Income Tax Department's website in time.

Budget jolt: Major auto firms reconsider India plans

Budget jolt: Major auto firms reconsider India plans

Rediff.com10 Mar 2011

Budget proposal on CKD tax jolts Audi, Harley-Davidson plans.

Auto firms in a fix over new duties

Auto firms in a fix over new duties

Rediff.com3 Mar 2011

Car and sports utility vehicle makers say they're taken aback by the Union finance ministry's proposal to bring locally assembled models into the same duty structure as imported units. They say the move would cripple demand, following a substantial rise in vehicle prices.

Industry starts pre-Budget talks with FinMin

Industry starts pre-Budget talks with FinMin

Rediff.com16 Dec 2009

Industry lobbies have begun pre-budget consultations with the Union finance ministry for 2010-11.

New co-operation ministry gets Rs 900 cr Budget allocation

New co-operation ministry gets Rs 900 cr Budget allocation

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The government on Tuesday announced Rs 900-crore allocation in the Budget for the newly set up Ministry of Cooperation for the 2022-23 fiscal, besides slashing Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) on cooperative societies to 15 per cent and surcharge to 7 per cent, which nodal minister Amit Shah hailed saying it will boost the sector. Of the total allocation for the next fiscal, a significant amount of Rs 350 crore has been provided for digitisation of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACs), while Rs 274 crore for an umbrella scheme 'Prosperity through Cooperatives' which would have a number of sub-components with the aim of all-round development of cooperatives in the country. For the first time, a separate budget of Rs 11 crore has been provided to Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICON).

Health insurance may get new law

Health insurance may get new law

Rediff.com1 Oct 2008

The government is examining various amendments to the insurance law, including a special statute for health insurance, aimed at improving the functioning of domestic companies and increasing their penetration.

12 states better deficit projections

12 states better deficit projections

Rediff.com30 Sep 2005

Low-cost bank branches under lens

Low-cost bank branches under lens

Rediff.com12 Apr 2012

To ensure its financial inclusion drive is not restricted to meeting branch opening targets, the Union finance ministry is to ask banks for a performance report of the 'ultra small' branches set up in the past two years in about 73,000 villages.

Sales tax: No compensation for states till GST rollout

Sales tax: No compensation for states till GST rollout

Rediff.com20 Mar 2012

The Central Sales Tax is imposed by the Centre but revenue goes to the states.