News for 'Union finance ministry'

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.

Pak demands India's removal from FATF's review body

Pak demands India's removal from FATF's review body

Rediff.com10 Mar 2019

Pakistan has been scrambling in recent months to avoid being added to a list of countries deemed non-compliant with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations.

Om Prakash Rawat appointed new Chief Election Commissioner

Om Prakash Rawat appointed new Chief Election Commissioner

Rediff.com21 Jan 2018

His tenure will end in December this year.

Pranab's statement on 2G row comical, reacts BJP

Pranab's statement on 2G row comical, reacts BJP

Rediff.com29 Sep 2011

Dubbing the statements of Union ministers Pranab Mukherjee and P Chidambaram on the controversial 2G note as "comical", Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said the issue was not one of settling bruised egoes but of fixing responsibility for loss of "lakhs of crores" of revenue in spectrum allocation.

Why govt insurance firms posted such huge losses

Why govt insurance firms posted such huge losses

Rediff.com24 Feb 2019

Multiple reasons accounted for the losses, including manpower crunch and lack of clarity on the merger of National, United and Oriental, reports Namrata Acharya.

Home ministry asks ED, IT to check terror funding

Home ministry asks ED, IT to check terror funding

Rediff.com27 Jun 2011

The Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate have been asked by the government to pull up their socks and expedite disposal of cases related to terror financing in various parts of the country.

Covid cases with variants of concern rose from 10% in May to 51% till June 20

Covid cases with variants of concern rose from 10% in May to 51% till June 20

Rediff.com28 Jun 2021

The panel was informed that the economic impact of the second wave of viral infection was "asynchronous in its onset and wider in its spread particularly in rural hinterland", a source said.

Will the brand-new Jal Shakti ministry keep India's head above water?

Will the brand-new Jal Shakti ministry keep India's head above water?

Rediff.com27 Jul 2019

Can the newly-minted Jal Shakti ministry bring water to some 19 crore Indian households that have never had taps or heard the sound of flowing water, wonders Vinayak Chatterjee.

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.

States worry as Centre plans to trim schemes in Budget

States worry as Centre plans to trim schemes in Budget

Rediff.com31 Jan 2021

'It is just an excuse to say that the Centre has run out of money.' 'Pruning these schemes would mean hard time for the people of India.'

UPA mulls Rs 1,000 pension for EPFO subscribers

UPA mulls Rs 1,000 pension for EPFO subscribers

Rediff.com4 Jun 2013

The the scheme has a subscriber base of 35 million.

DoT still to decide on 3G auction

DoT still to decide on 3G auction

Rediff.com17 Feb 2010

With differences between the Union law and finance ministries now over on the thorny issue of auctions for 3G spectrum, it is now for the Department of Telecommunications to decide on the schedule.However, while its top officials met to discuss the next course of action and whether the auctions can be done before this financial year concludes on March 31, it appears DoT still needs time.A Raja, the minister, continued to say he is still waiting for advice.

FM seeks additional Rs 2.35 lakh crore to meet expenses

FM seeks additional Rs 2.35 lakh crore to meet expenses

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

Of the total cash outgo Rs 40,000 crore is towards enhanced expenditure under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program and Rs 33,771.48 crore have been sought for direct benefit transfer under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and National Social Assistance Programme.

NITI Aayog's artificial intelligence proposal gets FinMin's nod

NITI Aayog's artificial intelligence proposal gets FinMin's nod

Rediff.com10 Sep 2019

NITI Aayog had been asking for Rs 7,500 crore for three years to set up an AI framework.

Cost cutting? Ministers, top officers can still fly first class!

Cost cutting? Ministers, top officers can still fly first class!

Rediff.com9 Oct 2013

Austerity measures announced by the government to rein in the fiscal deficit will not apply on air travel by ministers and senior officers going abroad on official visit.

Government mulls presenting Budget by Jan-end

Government mulls presenting Budget by Jan-end

Rediff.com22 Aug 2016

Also on the anvil is abolition of distinction between Plan and non-Plan expenditure and replacing it with capital and revenue expenditure

FinMin working out plan to merge banks

FinMin working out plan to merge banks

Rediff.com22 Oct 2009

According to sources close to the development, finance secretary Ashok Chawla, who is driving the process, is working on a concept note to provide the framework for consolidation.

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.

Union Budget exercise begins

Union Budget exercise begins

Rediff.com11 Jan 2012

Pranab Mukherjee will begin the fortnight-long pre-budget brainstorming sessions with various stakeholders.

GST targets smokers, tobacco in highest tax slab

GST targets smokers, tobacco in highest tax slab

Rediff.com4 Nov 2016

Tobacco will be subjected to the highest tax slab of 28 per cent and an additional cess. The current rates of taxation on cigarettes and chewing tobacco are about 64 per cent and 81 per cent, respectively.

States asked to reduce diesel, kerosene, LPG levy

States asked to reduce diesel, kerosene, LPG levy

Rediff.com28 Jun 2011

After reducing duties on petroleum products, the Centre has now asked the states to follow suit.

Kejriwal wins trust vote, says no AAP MLA has defected

Kejriwal wins trust vote, says no AAP MLA has defected

Rediff.com17 Feb 2024

Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the AAP, won the confidence motion with the support of 54 MLAs and said no legislator of his party defected.

 FinMin nods 49% FDI in aviation sector

FinMin nods 49% FDI in aviation sector

Rediff.com11 Apr 2012

The final decision on the proposal rests with the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Logjam persists in Parliament amid ruckus over Manipur

Logjam persists in Parliament amid ruckus over Manipur

Rediff.com31 Jul 2023

Parliament proceedings were adjourned for the day on Monday following protests by the opposition which has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the House on the Manipur issue. In the Rajya Sabha, the opposition kept insisting on a discussion under Rule 267 of the House.

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.

Vodafone conciliation decision after transfer pricing row ends

Vodafone conciliation decision after transfer pricing row ends

Rediff.com28 Feb 2014

Vodafone is locked in twin tax disputes with the government.

Budget: Rs 69,000 cr for health sector; PMJAY gets Rs 6,400 cr

Budget: Rs 69,000 cr for health sector; PMJAY gets Rs 6,400 cr

Rediff.com1 Feb 2020

In the Union budget, Rs 65,011.8 crore has been allocated to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, up from Rs 62,659.12 crore in 2019-20.

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.

Nitish hails Rajan report, non-committal on poll alliance

Nitish hails Rajan report, non-committal on poll alliance

Rediff.com26 Sep 2013

Welcoming Raghuram Rajan panel report which has put Bihar among the least developed states, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday described it as a 'victory' for the state but was non-committal on alliance with the Congress for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Cabinet reshuffle, expansion likely after Prez poll

Cabinet reshuffle, expansion likely after Prez poll

Rediff.com12 Jul 2012

A reshuffle-cum-expansion of Union Council of Ministers appears to be on the cards after the July 19 Presidential elections.

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.

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.

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.

Now, a prominent Swiss bank in Mumbai?

Now, a prominent Swiss bank in Mumbai?

Rediff.com23 Sep 2009

The Reserve Bank of India has sought views of the Union ministry of finance in giving permission for a 'Credit Suisse' Swiss Bank to open its first Indian branch in Mumbai.

Small savings schemes turn unattractive, PF to earn more

Small savings schemes turn unattractive, PF to earn more

Rediff.com16 Feb 2016

Post office savings of 1, 2 and 3 year term deposits and 5-year recurring deposit currently fetch 8.4 per cent interest per annum.

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.

Panel suggestions likely to lessen farmers' woes

Panel suggestions likely to lessen farmers' woes

Rediff.com24 Apr 2018

Regulated electronic platforms such as e-spot markets or spot exchanges may be deemed as authorised markets.

e-issuance of bonds may get stamp duty waiver

e-issuance of bonds may get stamp duty waiver

Rediff.com13 Feb 2008

Sebi has proposed waiving off stamp duty on e-issuance of bond to the ministry of finance.

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.