News for 'finance minister'

'Arrogance': Cong slams govt over TN bizman's 'apology' to FM

'Arrogance': Cong slams govt over TN bizman's 'apology' to FM

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

Annapoorna chain of restaurants owner Srinivasan is seen purportedly highlighting concerns over varying GST rates. In the second video, Srinivasan was seen purportedly apologising in person to the Finance Minister.

Space Industry Thrilled With FM Plans

Space Industry Thrilled With FM Plans

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

'The scrapping of import duty would help Indian companies compete in international markets, thus paving the way for India becoming a space manufacturing hub for the world.'

Wife, Daughters Pay Homage To Dr Saab

Wife, Daughters Pay Homage To Dr Saab

Rediff.com28 Dec 2024

Gursharan Kaur and daughter Daman Singh pay their respects to Dr Singh's mortal remains at the AICC HQ in New Delhi.

'Waqf Bill Targeted, Unfair Legislation'

'Waqf Bill Targeted, Unfair Legislation'

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

'It is not as if Hindus are not being touched at all, and only Muslims are.'

Why L&T Chief Works 90 Hours A Week

Why L&T Chief Works 90 Hours A Week

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

S N Subrahmanyan earns Rs 13,98,630.14 per day!

'People Will Have More Money In Their Hands'

'People Will Have More Money In Their Hands'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

'When people have money in their hands, they make their judgment about whether they want to spend it entirely or spend some out of it.'

India Set For Rs 32 Trillion Defence Budget... In 2047

India Set For Rs 32 Trillion Defence Budget... In 2047

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

'Make-in-India played a key role in India's effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor.'

Liverpool Univ to Open Bengaluru Campus

Liverpool Univ to Open Bengaluru Campus

Rediff.com27 May 2025

Initially, we will look to take a small batch of a few hundred students, with a plan to increase this to 5,000 students in the next five years, and eventually 10,000 by 2036.'

About 1,000 weapons surrendered in Imphal West after Guv's appeal

About 1,000 weapons surrendered in Imphal West after Guv's appeal

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

According to a senior officer, during the two-week deadline for surrender of arms and ammunition, a total of 990 arms were surrendered with 11,526 ammunition.

Atishi retains 4 ministers, admits a new face

Atishi retains 4 ministers, admits a new face

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mukesh Ahlawat will be the new face in the Delhi cabinet headed by Atishi, who will be sworn in as chief minister on September 21, and four ministers will be retained, the party said on Thursday.

These States Stay on Fiscal Track Despite Populist Schemes

These States Stay on Fiscal Track Despite Populist Schemes

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha budgets maintain revenue surpluses despite welfare schemes while Rajasthan and West Bengal face high debt, fiscal deficits and low capital outlay.

Sitharaman to present Modi 3.0's 1st budget on July 23

Sitharaman to present Modi 3.0's 1st budget on July 23

Rediff.com6 Jul 2024

This will be the first budget presented by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in its third term amid high anticipation following President Droupadi Murmu's assertion that it will be marked by many historic steps.

US resident booked for sharing Nirmala Sitharaman's deepfake video

US resident booked for sharing Nirmala Sitharaman's deepfake video

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

The video clip shows Sitharaman purportedly giving a bite to the media and terming Goods and Services Tax as the Gopaniya Suchna Tax. It was shared by one Chirag Patel on his X handle.

'Auto industry has resilience to tackle rare earth issue'

'Auto industry has resilience to tackle rare earth issue'

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

'The government is actively engaging with EU to ensure that concerns of Indian companies and hard-to-abate sectors are adequately addressed under CBAM'

Farmer leader Dallewal ends 130-day hunger strike, says stir to continue

Farmer leader Dallewal ends 130-day hunger strike, says stir to continue

Rediff.com6 Apr 2025

Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has ended his hunger strike which he began on November 26, 2022, to press for various demands of agitating farmers including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The announcement came after appeals from Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu. Dallewal said he would continue to fight for the MSP guarantee and other demands.

'Minister has converted ED into an extended arm of the BJP'

'Minister has converted ED into an extended arm of the BJP'

Rediff.com11 Jan 2024

'Now the political boss decides, and the ED acts.'

Law ministry allocated Rs 1,400 cr for 2024 LS polls, new EVMs

Law ministry allocated Rs 1,400 cr for 2024 LS polls, new EVMs

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Union Budget 2025-26 has allocated over Rs 1,400 crore to the law ministry to meet carry forward expenditure for holding the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and purchase of new electronic voting machines for the Election Commission. The allocation includes Rs 500 crore for the elections, Rs 300 crore for voter identity cards, Rs 597.80 crore for "other election expenses", and Rs 18.72 crore for new EVMs. The law ministry is the nodal agency for the Election Commission, polls, electoral laws, and appointment of members to the poll panel.

Won't get Nobel Prize for 'stopping' Indo-Pak war or..., rues Trump

Won't get Nobel Prize for 'stopping' Indo-Pak war or..., rues Trump

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

He then went on to say that, however, he won't get a Nobel Peace Prize for any of his efforts.

Road, rail, coal may dominate National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0

Road, rail, coal may dominate National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

Roads, railways, and coal together are likely to account for 70 per cent of the government's takings from the upcoming second edition of the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), set to run from FY26 to FY30. In comparison, these three sectors are estimated to have contributed 66 per cent in the first edition of the NMP - FY22 to FY25.

US-designed nuke reactors to be built in India, tech transfer likely

US-designed nuke reactors to be built in India, tech transfer likely

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have vowed to move forward with plans to work together to build US-designed nuclear reactors in India. The decision was made during their meeting at the White House, where they also agreed to significantly expand energy cooperation. The move comes after India announced plans to amend its nuclear liability law and the Atomic Energy Act, which had previously been obstacles to the implementation of the US-India civil nuclear deal.

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Union Budget 2025-26: Economists stress need for manufacturing policy

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

The need for a manufacturing policy, reining in food inflation and raising investment in the country were among key suggestions given by economists who met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and senior ministry officials in the first round of pre-Budget consultations on Friday.

Budget 2025: What is costlier, what is cheaper

Budget 2025: What is costlier, what is cheaper

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

Here is a list of items set to become cheaper and costlier.

Rs 8.7 Trn Individuals Vs Rs 4.53 Trn Corporates

Rs 8.7 Trn Individuals Vs Rs 4.53 Trn Corporates

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

From FY20 to FY24, the revenue forgone due to tax incentives for individuals and Hindu undivided families stood at Rs 8.7 trillion, significantly higher than the Rs 4.53 trillion forgone for corporations.

Can R S Prasad's Team Convince Europe About Pakistan?

Can R S Prasad's Team Convince Europe About Pakistan?

Rediff.com23 May 2025

An Indian delegation led by the BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad will tour key European capitals to expose Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism and State-sponsored extremism.

More than 90% taxpayers may switch to new regime: CBDT chief

More than 90% taxpayers may switch to new regime: CBDT chief

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

The Budget announcement of zero tax for earnings upto Rs 12 lakh per annum and the rejig of tax slabs across the board should prompt more than 90 per cent of individual taxpayers to embrace the new tax regime as compared to the about 75 per cent as of now, CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal said. Agrawal also highlighted the government's focus on "non-intrusive" tax administration through enhanced use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and simplified tax processes for common taxpayers. He emphasized the benefits of the new tax regime (NTR), which offers simple calculations and allows taxpayers to file their ITR without professional help. The CBDT chief stated that the Budget provisions related to income tax payment benefit all income earners, not just those earning Rs 12 lakh per annum, creating a positive sentiment in the economy and propelling growth. The department is also harnessing technology, including AI and data analytics, to widen and deepen the tax base, resulting in increased compliance and tax revenue. Agrawal further highlighted the positive impact of data availability and simplified tax processes on compliance rates, citing examples of taxpayers filing revised returns and paying taxes after being prompted by the department's data analysis.

Shinde is calling the shots now, not Ajit Pawar: Sena minister

Shinde is calling the shots now, not Ajit Pawar: Sena minister

Rediff.com14 Jul 2023

Pawar, who joined the Shinde government earlier this month, was allocated the same portfolio once again, raising questions as to how the Sena MLAs react.

Capital gains exemption limit to be hiked: Sitharaman

Capital gains exemption limit to be hiked: Sitharaman

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the government plans to raise capital gains exemption limit on certain financial assets to Rs 1.25 lakh per year for middle and upper middle class.

Ex-minister Yerran Naidu's son, richest MP likely to be ministers: TDP

Ex-minister Yerran Naidu's son, richest MP likely to be ministers: TDP

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

Telugu Desam Party leader Ram Mohan Naidu will be sworn in as a cabinet minister and another party MP, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, as a minister of state in the new Modi government, a party leader has confirmed.

Import duties on 25 critical minerals, 36 drugs removed

Import duties on 25 critical minerals, 36 drugs removed

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the removal of import duties on 12 critical minerals, lithium-ion batteries scrap, cobalt products, LED, zinc and 36 drugs for cancer and rare diseases.

'If We Are A Global Power It's Because Of Him'

'If We Are A Global Power It's Because Of Him'

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

'A man who brought about the greatest set of economic reforms in the country, who changed the course of Indian history, cannot be considered weak.' 'A man who fought for nuclear reforms even though his majority in Parliament was threatened, he cannot be considered weak.'

India Ramps Up Gold Reserves...

India Ramps Up Gold Reserves...

Rediff.com19 Mar 2025

The RBI added roughly 3 tonnes in 2025, taking its gold reserves to 879 tonnes as of January 31, 2025.

Consensus eludes GoM on GST rate rationalisation, over 100 items discussed

Consensus eludes GoM on GST rate rationalisation, over 100 items discussed

Rediff.com26 Sep 2024

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on goods and services tax (GST) rate rationalisation, which convened in Goa on Wednesday, reviewed the GST rates for over 100 items, including textiles, handloom goods, agricultural products, fertilisers, and educational materials. However, no consensus was reached on any of the items, with further discussions scheduled for next month in Delhi.

Ladki Bahin aide cannot be raised to Rs 2,100: Maha min

Ladki Bahin aide cannot be raised to Rs 2,100: Maha min

Rediff.com6 May 2025

The Maharashtra government, led by a coalition of the BJP and Shiv Sena, has admitted that it cannot increase the monthly financial aid under the Ladki Bahin Yojana to Rs 2,100, as promised during the 2024 assembly polls. The government cites severe financial stress as the reason. Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, a Shiv Sena leader, has said that the scheme will continue with the existing amount of Rs 1,500, but the increase is not feasible at this time. The minister also accused the Finance Department, led by Ajit Pawar, of diverting funds from his department without his knowledge. He called for a law to ensure that the social justice and tribal affairs departments receive their allocated funds. The statement comes as an embarrassment for the Mahayuti government, which had heavily campaigned on the promise of increasing the Ladki Bahin Yojana aid.

GST mop-up rises 6.5% Y-o-Y to Rs 1.73 lakh cr in Sep

GST mop-up rises 6.5% Y-o-Y to Rs 1.73 lakh cr in Sep

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in September, in gross terms, were at Rs 1.73 lakh crore, with a yearly jump of 6.5 per cent, according to data from finance ministry released on Tuesday. In September 2023, the total collection was to the tune of Rs 1.62 lakh crore. CGST, SGST, IGST, and cess all increased year-on-year in September, official data made available on Tuesday showed.

Hours after Modi's US visit, 2 planes to bring deportees

Hours after Modi's US visit, 2 planes to bring deportees

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

A US plane carrying 119 illegal Indian immigrants is expected to land at Amritsar airport on February 15, the second such batch of Indians deported by the Trump administration as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. The plane is expected to land around 10 pm on Saturday. The 119 deportees include 67 from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Another US plane carrying deportees is also expected to land on February 16. This development comes days after a US military aircraft carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants landed at the Amritsar airport last week. Most of the deportees hailing from Punjab said they wanted to migrate to the US for a better life for their families. However, their dreams were shattered when they were caught at the US border and brought back in shackles. The Trump administration has launched a crackdown against illegal immigrants since taking office, leading to the deportation of many people who entered the US through illegal means. Several political leaders in Punjab have questioned the landing of US aircraft in Amritsar, with Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema alleging that the BJP-led Central government wants to defame Punjab. The Punjab government has formed a special investigation team to probe the issue of illegal human trafficking following the deportation of Indian citizens domiciled in Punjab from the US. The SIT has so far registered 10 FIRs against fraudulent immigration consultants based on statements from deportees.

Budget is by the people, for the people: Sitharaman

Budget is by the people, for the people: Sitharaman

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

Paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday described the Union Budget as "by the people, for the people, of the people", and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was fully behind the idea to cut taxes for the middle class but it took time to convince the bureaucrats. "We have heard the voice of the middle class" who had been complaining about their aspirations not being met despite being honest taxpayers, she told PTI in an interview.

Budget 2025: Nirmalaji May Set Fiscal Deficit At 4.4%

Budget 2025: Nirmalaji May Set Fiscal Deficit At 4.4%

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

'We have to retain some fiscal headroom without compromising on the promised fiscal consolidation roadmap.'

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

Farmer representatives and agricultural stakeholders urged the government to provide cheaper long-term credit, implement lower taxes, and double the PM-KISAN income support during a comprehensive pre-budget consultation with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday. The two-hour meeting saw a detailed discussion of proposals, aimed at addressing multiple challenges in the agricultural sector, with key demands focusing on financial relief, market reforms, and strategic investments.

India To Develop 50 Tourism Sites

India To Develop 50 Tourism Sites

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

In a continued push to spiritual tourism, there will be a focus on destinations related to the life and times of Lord Buddha.

'Want to discuss Indian boxing with sports minister'

'Want to discuss Indian boxing with sports minister'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2024

Refusing to share her exact concerns, Mary Kom said she would rather discuss them in the meeting with Mandaviya and BFI top brass.