News for 'finance department'

Inflation rates in Tamil Nadu during AIADMK and DMK tenure

Inflation rates in Tamil Nadu during AIADMK and DMK tenure

Rediff.com19 Apr 2016

As the assembly elections are on the way in Tamil Nadu, the major parties have promised for reduction in the price of goods.

Nano will cost Bengal hundreds of crores a year

Nano will cost Bengal hundreds of crores a year

Rediff.com1 Oct 2008

Sources in the West Bengal government's finance department said the state had made budgetary provisions that would run into several hundred crores every year for 20 to 30 years to attract Tata Motors' Nano project to Singur.

7 alerts for a money crunch!

7 alerts for a money crunch!

Rediff.com31 Mar 2009

It is time to take stock of your organisational skills, at least in your personal finance department.

India sets ball rolling for monetising govt assets

India sets ball rolling for monetising govt assets

Rediff.com16 Mar 2021

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (Dipam) has asked ministries, government departments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to send a list of assets that can be monetised under the proposed National Monetisation Pipeline. The list will be used for creation of an asset monetisation dashboard, which will keep a track of such assets. The government, meanwhile, has asked CRISIL to prepare a road map for monetising assets of PSUs and government departments.

Trouble for Lalit Modi as Mumbai court clears extradition proceedings

Trouble for Lalit Modi as Mumbai court clears extradition proceedings

Rediff.com16 Nov 2016

The case pertains to a criminal complaint filed by BCCI which has accused the former IPL commissioner of misappropriating funds during his tenure.

Vi's fundraising put on hold as govt delays equity call

Vi's fundraising put on hold as govt delays equity call

Rediff.com7 Dec 2022

Vodafone Idea's (Vi's) search for a lifeline has turned longer and tougher even as it continues to lose customers and delay vendor payments. Vi's much-needed Rs 1,600-crore fundraising plan got stuck due to the government's silence on picking up a proposed 33 per cent equity in the financially stressed telco. The development spells further trouble for the company, which has an overall debt pile of Rs 2.2 trillion, including hefty dues to the government.

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Ministries told to clear Air India dues, make cash payments for tickets

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

The government on Wednesday asked ministries and departments to clear dues of debt-laden Air India immediately and henceforth purchase tickets only in cash. The government earlier this month decided to sell Air India to Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of salt-to-software conglomerate Tata group, for Rs 18,000 crore. The Department of Expenditure, under the Finance Ministry, in a 2009 order, had said that in cases of air travel (both domestic and international), including LTC where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials may travel only by Air India.

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

FinMin flags El Nino risk for inflation, farm output

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

The finance ministry on Thursday raised concerns over the possible impact of El Nio conditions on India this year, saying if recent forecasts came true, the country could see lower agricultural output and higher inflation. "Some meteorological agencies predict the return of El Nio conditions in India this year. "If these predictions are accurate, then monsoon rains could be deficient, leading to lower agricultural output and higher prices," the ministry said in its monthly economic review.

Vodafone Group applies for settlement of retro tax dispute

Vodafone Group applies for settlement of retro tax dispute

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

Vodafone further said it has "always been confident" that no tax is due on the company. The government in August enacted a law to end all retrospective taxation imposed on indirect transfer of Indian assets. The rules under the law seek to withdraw tax demands made using a 2012 retrospective legislation to tax the indirect transfer of Indian assets and also refund the amount paid in these cases without any interest. Asked if the company has filed an application with the Indian government to settle the retrospective tax dispute, a Vodafone spokesperson said, "We can confirm we have filed an application".

Support Agniveers with jobs after tenure, govt tells public sector banks

Support Agniveers with jobs after tenure, govt tells public sector banks

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

Department of financial services secretary Sanjay Malhotra held a meeting with heads of PSBs, insurance companies and financial institutions for identifying ways to support Agniveers on completion of their tenure of duty.

FinMin to kick-start Budget 2022-23 exercise on October 12

FinMin to kick-start Budget 2022-23 exercise on October 12

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

The finance ministry will kick-start the exercise to prepare the Union Budget for financial year 2022-23 (FY23) from October 12, according to an official notification released on Monday. "The pre-Budget meetings as well as the meetings to discuss the revised estimates will start from October 12 and will continue till the second week of November," according to the Budget circular of the Department of Economic Affairs' Budget Division. The Union Budget is expected to be announced on February 1, as has been the practice of the past few years.

Do we need so many income tax staffers?

Do we need so many income tax staffers?

Rediff.com11 Aug 2021

The preliminary processing of tax returns is already undertaken with the help of technology. There is now greater scope of using more technology to reduce the human interface even further, notes A K Bhattacharya.

Imported O2 concentrators: SC stays HC order on levy of IGST

Imported O2 concentrators: SC stays HC order on levy of IGST

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the operation of a Delhi high court order holding as "unconstitutional" the imposition of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) by the Centre on import of oxygen concentrators by individuals for personal use. A special bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah issued notice on the plea and sought response from the petitioner, who filed a PIL before the high court.

Why prices of petrol, diesel are likely to rise

Why prices of petrol, diesel are likely to rise

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

A proposal in the Union Budget 2022-23 to raise excise duty on dirtier, unblended retail petrol and diesel has met with some resistance from the petroleum ministry. However, finance ministry officials say no such communication arguing against the levy of extra duty on diesel has been received from the oil ministry. Until there are discussions between the two departments, the proposal will not be tweaked in the Finance Bill. The Rs 2 per litre additional excise duty proposed on unblended fuels in the Finance Bill will result in a uniform hike of diesel prices across the country from October 1.

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

'When the average growth in the last three years was just 2.5%, how does that make us the fastest growing country?' 'They only tell you what has happened in the last 2 years; they are not taking into account what happened in FY21 on account of their mistakes.'

Govt has reduced Parliament to 'notice board': Tharoor

Govt has reduced Parliament to 'notice board': Tharoor

Rediff.com20 Jan 2023

During a session titled 'Sustaining Democracy; Nurturing Democracy', he claimed that tightening the already stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a way that kept people like Siddique Kappan in jail for two years without bail is one of the many ways the current dispensation has 'managed to depart from the democratic spirit of the Constitution'.

Rishi Sunak warns of 'very difficult decisions' in first cabinet meet

Rishi Sunak warns of 'very difficult decisions' in first cabinet meet

Rediff.com26 Oct 2022

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday held his first Cabinet meeting with the new team as he prepares for his debut at Prime Minister's Questions, the first big test of Britain's Indian-origin premier's leadership.

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

Rediff.com11 May 2022

The number of times public sector undertakings (PSUs) have held conference calls with investors, their capital management, and debt financing are among the parameters that the Centre will use to judge their performance for the first time, a senior official in the know said. The government will evaluate PSUs for FY22 based on new parameters that were finalised by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in consultation with the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) last year, the official said. The government had included more conditions in the memorandum of understandings (MoUs) - used to set annual targets - that public sector enterprises sign with the DPE every year. These included a consistent dividend policy, which seeks to transfer dividends by PSUs every quarter; and market capitalisation or share price improvement over the sectoral index on an annual average basis for listed companies.

Consumer NGOs under scanner for funds misuse

Consumer NGOs under scanner for funds misuse

Rediff.com28 Aug 2007

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs is conducting an in-depth financial audit of some consumer awareness NGOs that have received financial assistance from it in recent years.

Govt saved Rs 10,000 crore in interest costs in FY22

Govt saved Rs 10,000 crore in interest costs in FY22

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

Union finance secretary T V Somanathan recently said the Centre had saved Rs 10,000 crore in FY22 on interest payments after adopting new accounting mechanisms for central government agencies and centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) for state governments. Speaking at an event, Somanathan said due to these, there was an unspent balance of Rs 1.2 trillion with state agencies from CSS as on March 31, 2022. This means this amount will be reduced from the Centre's borrowing for now and it can be considered a short-term saving for the exchequer.

Rationalisation in long-term capital gains tax structure on the anvil

Rationalisation in long-term capital gains tax structure on the anvil

Rediff.com25 Nov 2022

The finance ministry is looking at rationalising long-term capital gains tax structure by bringing parity between similar asset classes and revising the base year for computing indexation benefit to make it more relevant, an official said on Friday. Currently, shares held for more than one year attract a 10 per cent tax on long-term capital gains. Gains arising from sale of immovable property and unlisted shares held for more than 2 years and debt instruments and jewellery held for over 3 years attract 20 per cent long term capital gains tax.

Taxmen clear the air on TDS levy on cryptos

Taxmen clear the air on TDS levy on cryptos

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued detailed guidelines on facilitating tax deducted at source (TDS) on virtual digital assets (VDA) or crypto assets, under which date of transfer and mode of payment will have to be specified. From July 1, TDS of 1 per cent will be levied on payments towards virtual digital assets or cryptocurrencies beyond Rs 10,000 in a year, as the Finance Act 2022 has introduced Section 194S in the income tax (I-T) Act. The department has explained different scenarios through six questions to remove difficulties.

Kozhikode to become 'hunger-free' city

Kozhikode to become 'hunger-free' city

Rediff.com18 Dec 2008

At a time when several states are making efforts to sell rice at Rs 2 per kg to the poor, the Kozhikode municipal corporation plans to provide the mid-day meal at the same price to make it a hunger-free city. The idea to launch the novel scheme was mooted at a recent meeting of government officials of the health and finance department at Kozhikode.

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

Rediff.com10 Jan 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will soon start public consultation for a national retail trade policy, which is likely to include an insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection against losses caused by theft, accidents or natural calamities. The policy will also spell out ways to give traders access to low-cost finance, promote digital inclusion, and create necessary infrastructure to support them, a senior government official told Business Standard. This is expected to offer relief especially to traditional traders, who are facing stiff competition from large e-commerce players.

Raising funds for jihad is treason, rules Lahore HC

Raising funds for jihad is treason, rules Lahore HC

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

Inciting the public to raise funds for jihad (holy war) is not allowed to individuals or any organisation in Pakistan and is considered as treason, the Lahore high court has ruled even as it dismissed appeals of two terrorists convicted for raising funds for a proscribed terror outfit.

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

UPSC takes 31 pvt sector experts as jt secretaries

Rediff.com8 Oct 2021

Minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh said it is a major step to place the right talent for the right role.

Single ITR form with focus on cryptos likely

Single ITR form with focus on cryptos likely

Rediff.com2 Nov 2022

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has proposed a new common income-tax return (ITR), with greater focus on disclosing income from virtual digital assets or crypto assets and foreign equity and debt instruments held by resident Indians. For non-resident Indians, the draft ITR seeks exhaustive details ranging from nature of business, permanent establishment (PE), business connection, whether the entity has significant economic presence (SEP) in India, along with the number of users in India. The ITR protocol for NRIs could widen the scope of the SEP principle that was introduced in the Finance Bill 2018-19, and the explicitly defined 'business connection' to include provision of download of data or software, if aggregate payments from such transactions exceed a prescribed amount, or if a multinational's interaction is with a prescribed number of users.

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Channi keeps 14 portfolios, Amarinder's ministers retain theirs

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday allocated portfolios to the new ministers, keeping 14 departments with himself and giving home affairs to deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and health to other deputy O P Soni.

K V Kamath appointed chairperson of Rs 20,000-cr NaBFID

K V Kamath appointed chairperson of Rs 20,000-cr NaBFID

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

The government on Wednesday announced the appointment of veteran banker K V Kamath as chairperson of the newly set up Rs 20,000 crore development finance institution NaBFID to catalyse investment in the funds-starved infrastructure sector. Parliament had in March cleared the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill 2021 to support the development of long-term non-recourse infrastructure financing in India, including the development of the bonds and derivatives markets necessary for infrastructure financing.

China blocks blacklisting of Lashkar terrorist at UN

China blocks blacklisting of Lashkar terrorist at UN

Rediff.com19 Oct 2022

It is learnt that China placed a hold on the proposal by India and the US to designate Mahmood as a global terrorist under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council.

Want To Opt For EPF-EPS Joint Scheme?

Want To Opt For EPF-EPS Joint Scheme?

Rediff.com2 Mar 2023

Before opting for this scheme, consider how EPS is calculated.

80% of fraudsters are male: KPMG survey

80% of fraudsters are male: KPMG survey

Rediff.com18 Apr 2007

In the corporate world, 70 per cent of white collar crimes are committed by people between 36 and 55 years

Infosys given time till Sep 15 to resolve I-T portal glitches

Infosys given time till Sep 15 to resolve I-T portal glitches

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday conveyed to Infosys CEO Salil Parekh in no uncertain terms the government's "deep disappointment and concern" over the continuing glitches in the new income tax filing portal and set September 15 as the deadline for the software major to resolve all snags. As glitches continued to mar the functioning of the portal even after over two months of its launch, Sitharaman summoned Infosys MD & CEO Parekh at her office here to know the reasons for not resolving the snags in the portal. A statement issued by the Income Tax Department said that during the meeting the finance minister emphasised that there is a need for putting in more resources and efforts on the part of Infosys so that the much delayed delivery of agreed services is ensured.

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.

CBI defers questioning on Sisodia's request for more time

CBI defers questioning on Sisodia's request for more time

Rediff.com19 Feb 2023

The CBI on Sunday deferred the questioning of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with the Delhi Excise policy scam case after he sought time from the probe agency citing the city government's ongoing budget exercise.

Agriculture, health to be focus of Union Budget 2021

Agriculture, health to be focus of Union Budget 2021

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

The ministry of finance will kickstart its massive budgetary exercise from October 15.

LIC may look at entering health, non-life insurance businesses

LIC may look at entering health, non-life insurance businesses

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

The Life Insurance Corporation of India has the wherewithal to acquire a composite license, a top source aware of the development told Business Standard, adding that the insurance behemoth may look into entering the health and general insurance segments. "LIC has the scale, capacity, IT infrastructure, and the distribution reach to take advantage of the composite license. "LIC is looking at organic as well as inorganic growth opportunities.

New tax regime 'sweetened' to benefit taxpayers: CBDT chief

New tax regime 'sweetened' to benefit taxpayers: CBDT chief

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

The new income tax regime for filing returns has been "sweetened" in the Budget 2023-24 and it will be beneficial for maximum number of taxpayers as they can enjoy a "reduced" tax rate, CBDT chairman Nitin Gupta said. Speaking to PTI during a post-Budget interview, Gupta said the intent of the government while announcing the new slabs and rates under the new tax regime is to gradually "do away with deductions and exemptions" so that the "long-standing demand of reduction of taxes for individual taxpayers and entities can be met." Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Budget 2023-24 in the Parliament on Wednesday, said the government has made the new income tax regime more attractive for taxpayers and has thus brought about 'substantial changes' in its structure for the benefit of the middle class.

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Strengthening the portfolios of the home minister and the finance minister is a message that should not be missed, points out A K Bhattacharya.

'Rajapaksa is unlikely to depart the political stage'

'Rajapaksa is unlikely to depart the political stage'

Rediff.com21 Aug 2015

'The path to a resolution of the ethnic conflict is likely to be complicated and controversial with the majority Sinhalese community, and will become less likely if delayed.' 'It will certainly give Rajapaksa fresh political oxygen with which to revive himself and rally the opposition.'