News for 'finance ministry'

Nirmalaji Releases The Nuclear Genie

Nirmalaji Releases The Nuclear Genie

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

'If the BJP detoxifies the nuclear liability law, it will bring economic, environmental and, most of all, strategic benefits.' 'Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that this Budget promise is met soon -- ideally, before Mr Modi heads to his first meeting with Trump 2.0,' observes Shekhar Gupta.

SBI focuses on JanDhan, trusts, societies to mobilise incremental deposits

SBI focuses on JanDhan, trusts, societies to mobilise incremental deposits

Rediff.com13 Sep 2024

In order to boost its deposit base, State Bank of India (SBI) is focusing on various segments, including JanDhan account holders, trusts, societies, and the segment below the affluent class but above the normal account holders. According to Ashwini Tewari , managing director, SBI, the bank is focusing on three broad segments. One is wealth banking, where the bank is focusing on individuals who perhaps do not qualify for private banking but are above regular accounts and require individual attention.

India pitches for more info sharing on int'l payments

India pitches for more info sharing on int'l payments

Rediff.com11 Sep 2024

India is pushing for greater disclosures by credit card companies, fintech firms, and payment aggregators (PAs) at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), so that the sender and recipient in a cross-border financial transaction can be easily identified and the information shared with law enforcement agencies. Separately, the inter-governmental group, which sets standards to curb money laundering, will release the fourth round of its mutual evaluation report on India on September 19. FATF in June had adopted the mutual evaluation report on India and placed the country in the "regular follow-up" category - the highest rating given by the global watchdog and a distinction shared by only four other G20 countries.

Can Rekha Gupta Deliver BJP Promises To Delhi?

Can Rekha Gupta Deliver BJP Promises To Delhi?

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The monthly Rs 2500 payment for poor women is expected to cost Rs 11,000 crore while the pension scheme of Rs 2000 for every senior citizen will cost around Rs 4100 crore. The Yamuna clean up will cost over Rs 10,000 crore while a similar amount is required to upgrade Delhi's hospitals. Ultimately, the new BJP government will have no choice but to ask the centre for financial support, notes Rashme Sehgal.

Got fake govt e-notice? Here's what to do

Got fake govt e-notice? Here's what to do

Rediff.com14 Jul 2024

Users should be aware of "fake emails" sent in the garb of a government e-notice, said the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) in a public advertisement.

Ministry defends EPFO surplus

Ministry defends EPFO surplus

Rediff.com8 Feb 2011

Labour Ministry has justified EPFO's declaring 9.5 per cent interest for 2010-11.

Budget will revitalise agri sector, rural economy

Budget will revitalise agri sector, rural economy

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Recent documents by NITI Aayog and periodic labour force surveys on employment show that the importance of agriculture is rising in the Indian economy.

Net direct tax collection at Rs 10.64 lakh cr in Apr-Nov

Net direct tax collection at Rs 10.64 lakh cr in Apr-Nov

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

Net direct tax collection in the eight months of the current fiscal touched 58.34 per cent of Budget Estimates (BE) at Rs 10.64 lakh crore. The net tax collection for April-November stood at Rs 10.64 lakh crore, which is 23.4 per cent higher than the corresponding period of last year, the ministry of finance said.

Bangladesh To Remove Mujib's Image From Taka Notes

Bangladesh To Remove Mujib's Image From Taka Notes

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Religious structures, Bengali traditions, and 'graffiti' drawn during the July uprising will be included on the currency notes.

Public sector banks may take QIP route to meet shareholding norm

Public sector banks may take QIP route to meet shareholding norm

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

Public-sector lenders Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and Uco Bank are likely to raise funds through qualified institutional placement (QIP) next month. Punjab & Sind Bank is likely to follow suit later this financial year to meet the public shareholding norm of 25 per cent. When a public-sector unit raises funds through QIP, the money goes to the company because it involves issuing new shares whereas in the case of offer for sale (OFS), the money raised goes to the government because its shares are sold.

Ajit Pawar skips visit to RSS founder's memorial

Ajit Pawar skips visit to RSS founder's memorial

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday didn't join his cabinet colleagues Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in visiting the Nagpur-based memorial of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founder.

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).

New Tax Regime Could Pinch Small Savings

New Tax Regime Could Pinch Small Savings

Rediff.com12 Aug 2024

>According to the latest RBI data, PPF receipts have already experienced a decline between April 2023 and February 2024. Other schemes like the Sukanya Samriddhi Account and National Savings Certificate are also witnessing reduced inflows.

Halwa ceremony held; stage set for interim Budget

Halwa ceremony held; stage set for interim Budget

Rediff.com24 Jan 2024

The Halwa ceremony, marking the final stage of the budget preparation process for Interim Union Budget 2024, was held in North Block on Wednesday in the presence of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Kisanrao Karad was also present. A customary halwa ceremony is performed every year before the "lock-in" process of Budget preparation begins.

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Rediff.com13 Sep 2019

The government is set to ask PSBs to expeditiously introduce repo-rate linked products "to step up affordable credit".

Govt exempts non-basmati white rice from export duty

Govt exempts non-basmati white rice from export duty

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

Withdrawing a blanket ban on overseas shipments of non-basmati white rice, the government on Saturday imposed a floor price of $490 per tonne and exempted the commodity from export duty. Exports of non-basmati white rice have been banned since July 20, 2023 to boost domestic supply. "The export policy for non-basmati white rice (semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or gazed) ...is amended from prohibited to free, subject to MEP (minimum export price) of $490 per tonne with immediate effect and until further orders," the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) said in a notification.

At Rs 1.72 lakh cr, Oct GST collection is 2nd highest ever

At Rs 1.72 lakh cr, Oct GST collection is 2nd highest ever

Rediff.com1 Nov 2023

GST collections in October stood at Rs 1.72 lakh crore, the second highest-ever, the finance ministry said on Wednesday. The collections are 13 per cent higher than the Rs 1.52 lakh crore collected in October 2022.

FinMin rejects plea to double minimum EPS pension

FinMin rejects plea to double minimum EPS pension

Rediff.com12 Feb 2024

The Union finance ministry has rejected a proposal sent by the labour ministry to double the monthly minimum pension amount to Rs 2,000 under the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS). The Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the apex decision-making body of the Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), was apprised of the proposal's rejection during a meeting on Saturday. "According to the recommendations made by a highly-empowered monitoring committee constituted by the government, a proposal to increase the minimum pension under EPS from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month, by providing additional budgetary support, was sent to the ministry of finance.

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

By June 2025, financial freedom will be just an ATM away. Pleasantly surprised? But there's more, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

GST Council's fitment committee likely to consider dropping 12% slab

GST Council's fitment committee likely to consider dropping 12% slab

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

The fitment committee under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, comprising central and state officials, has begun a rate rationalisation exercise afresh, checking the possibility of dropping some of the rates, particularly the 12 per cent slab, to achieve a revenue-neutral structure, a senior official with direct knowledge of the matter

Centre in a huddle to understand impact of the Iran-Israel tensions

Centre in a huddle to understand impact of the Iran-Israel tensions

Rediff.com16 Apr 2024

Top government officials in New Delhi have started discussions with stakeholders ranging from shipping and container companies to export promotion councils to understand the impact of the Iran-Israel tensions and plan ahead. Inter-ministerial talks are also being lined up amid the crisis situation in West Asia, sources confirmed. While the crude flows are not directly under any threat, elevated oil prices remain a concern, according to officials.

Ahead of 5-state polls, 29th set of electoral bonds to go on sale from Nov 6

Ahead of 5-state polls, 29th set of electoral bonds to go on sale from Nov 6

Rediff.com4 Nov 2023

Electoral bonds have been pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring transparency to political funding.

Govt releases tax devolution of Rs 72,961 cr to states

Govt releases tax devolution of Rs 72,961 cr to states

Rediff.com7 Nov 2023

"The Union government has authorised the release of tax devolution of Re 72,961.21 crore to state governments for the month of November 2023, on 7th November instead of the usual date 10th November," the Union finance ministry said in a statement.

New RBI Guv promises to do 'what is best for the economy'

New RBI Guv promises to do 'what is best for the economy'

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

A day after his appointment as the 26th governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), outgoing Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra on Tuesday said one must understand the economic landscape and do what was best for the economy. "Let me first go, join, understand the turf ... Here it is a different role," Malhotra said, speaking to reporters in front of North Block.

GST Gamed For Rs 81,875 cr, Finds Report

GST Gamed For Rs 81,875 cr, Finds Report

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

The highest-ever goods and services tax (GST) evasion has been done by the online money gaming industry.

Send your Budget wishlist to the Finance Minister!

Send your Budget wishlist to the Finance Minister!

Rediff.com15 Jan 2015

You too can send in your suggestion of what the Budget should be like.

Where's our Finance Minister?

Where's our Finance Minister?

Rediff.com3 Jul 2012

On sarkaritel.com, a private initiative that serves as a gateway to the government, the council of ministers does not include the finance portfolio at all.

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

Any government support or incentive to help exporters deal with high freight and insurance costs is unlikely.

'Dr Singh Didn't Take Orders From Sonia Gandhi'

'Dr Singh Didn't Take Orders From Sonia Gandhi'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

'Mrs Gandhi had nothing to do in the day-to-day working of Dr Singh's government.' 'People say Mrs Gandhi's office used to give orders, which is nonsense.'

Oil ministry asked to examine new gas pricing

Oil ministry asked to examine new gas pricing

Rediff.com11 Jul 2013

Media has raised the issues that new pricing to benefit Reliance Industries.

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Will budget for agri research get a big boost this year?

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

Several leading scientists, academicians, and agriculturalists have called for raising government support for research and development to make Indian agriculture future-ready.

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.

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Modi to review ministries' work in quest for turnaround

Rediff.com3 Jan 2020

Starting today, Modi and top officials in the Prime Minister's Office will be briefed by various central ministries and departments on their plans as well as agenda for the next five years. They will also apprise the PMO of the work they have done so far in realising the agenda of government's second term in office.

Ashok Chawla named Finance Secretary

Ashok Chawla named Finance Secretary

Rediff.com12 May 2009

Economic Affairs Secretary Ashok Chawla has been appointed as Finance Secretary in the ministry of finance with effect from Tuesday. The post of Finance Secretary fell vacant following retirement of Arun Ramanathan, who was also Secretary of Financial Services.

What Sitharaman did after becoming the finance minister

What Sitharaman did after becoming the finance minister

Rediff.com3 Jun 2019

This is not her first stint in North Block or in leading a major economic ministry. She started Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term as minister of state for finance, was made the commerce minister, and then became the defence minister.

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.

FDI inflows in India cross $1 trillion

FDI inflows in India cross $1 trillion

Rediff.com8 Dec 2024

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into India have crossed the $1 trillion milestone in the April 2000-September 2024 period, firmly establishing the country's reputation as a safe and key investment destination globally. According to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the cumulative amount of FDI, including equity, reinvested earnings and other capital, stood at $1,033.40 billion during the said period.

Indian ministries at odds over gold import duty

Indian ministries at odds over gold import duty

Rediff.com3 Nov 2015

India will also launch a sovereign gold bond to lower physical demand.

Finance Secretary Mayaram transferred even before taking charge

Finance Secretary Mayaram transferred even before taking charge

Rediff.com30 Oct 2014

Arvind Mayaram, who was shunted from Finance Ministry to Tourism only a fortnight ago, has now been transferred as secretary in minority affairs ministry even before he took charge of his new post.

Value-add target in new PLI scheme for electronics manufacturing may double

Value-add target in new PLI scheme for electronics manufacturing may double

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

In a move to deepen manufacturing in electronics in India, the Centre is targeting 35-40 per cent value-addition through the yet-to-be launched production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for electronics components, sources in the government