News for 'finance-ministry'

NSE Rot Goes Deeper

NSE Rot Goes Deeper

Rediff.com11 Mar 2022

The rot is is not limited to Chitra Ramkrishna and the yogi, observed Debashis Basu.

Rs 177 cr cash, 23 kg gold found from UP bizman

Rs 177 cr cash, 23 kg gold found from UP bizman

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

The searches since December 22, which resulted in Jain's arrest, also included searches at the trader's residential/factory premises in Kannauj, wherein about Rs 17 crore in cash, 23 kg of gold and 600 kg sandalwood oil having a market value of about Rs 6 crore have been recovered, the ministry said in a release.

Not going for lockdowns in big way, says Sitharaman

Not going for lockdowns in big way, says Sitharaman

Rediff.com13 Apr 2021

Amid surging coronavirus cases in India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday made it clear that the government would not go for lockdowns in a big way and only resort to local containment. In a virtual meeting with World Bank Group president David Malpass, Sitharaman appreciated the initiatives of the World Bank to increase the lending space for India to enhance availability of finance for development.

1% GST in cash: FinMin clarifies on why it was necessary

1% GST in cash: FinMin clarifies on why it was necessary

Rediff.com28 Dec 2020

This provision is a very smart rule against fraudster and would not affect any genuine business entities or Ease of Doing Business in any manner, said a source.

FinMin nods 8.65% interest on EPF for 2018-19

FinMin nods 8.65% interest on EPF for 2018-19

Rediff.com26 Apr 2019

According to the EPFO estimates, there would be a surplus of Rs 151.67 crore after providing 8.65 per cent rate of interest for 2018-19 on EPF.

Budget 2022: Phasing out of some tax exemptions likely

Budget 2022: Phasing out of some tax exemptions likely

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

The Centre is considering a gradual phasing out of certain direct tax exemptions meant for corporate and personal tax payers. This is among the tax proposals being discussed for the upcoming Union Budget 2022-23. A top policymaker said that according to the government's internal assessment, the percentage of corporates and individuals shifting to the new exemption-less tax regime has been very encouraging, and the Budget-makers expect many more to make the switch in the coming years. The person also said the finance ministry is exploring the option of rationalising the capital gains tax rates.

Budget, polls, choice of President: Can Modi get it right?

Budget, polls, choice of President: Can Modi get it right?

Rediff.com25 Jan 2022

There will be no second term for President Kovind and no elevation for Vice President Naidu.

I-T portal: Finmin officials hold review meeting with Infosys chief

I-T portal: Finmin officials hold review meeting with Infosys chief

Rediff.com16 Dec 2021

Revenue secretary Tarun Bajaj along with senior finance ministry officials on Thursday held a meeting with Infosys managing director Salil Parekh to review the performance of the new income tax portal. More than 3.5 crore Income Tax Returns (ITR) have been filed so far for the financial year 2020-21 through the portal, which had faced glitches following which the ministry had directed Infosys to urgently address the issues. Infosys has developed the new income tax e-filing portal 'www.incometax.gov.in'.

Sovereign gold bond to open for subscription on May 17

Sovereign gold bond to open for subscription on May 17

Rediff.com13 May 2021

The first tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds 2021-22 will be open for subscription for five days from Monday, the finance ministry said in a statement. The bonds will be issued in six tranches from May 2021 to September 2021, it said on Wednesday. The subscription period for 2021-22 Series I will be May 17-21, and bonds will be issued on May 25.

No info on Mallya's loan, finmin tells CIC

No info on Mallya's loan, finmin tells CIC

Rediff.com7 Feb 2018

The finance ministry official may have claimed that the ministry does not have information on the loans sanctioned by different banks to Mallya or the details of the guarantee given by Mallya against those loans, but the ministry had responded to questions in this regard in Parliament in the past.

Cabinet paves way for privatisation of govt-owned insurers

Cabinet paves way for privatisation of govt-owned insurers

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, paving the way for privatisation of government-owned insurers. The amendments, approved by Cabinet, will remove the clause for the Centre to hold at least 51 per cent in public sector insurance companies at any given time. It will also have an enabling provision for the transfer of management control from the government to the potential buyer of the public sector insurance company. The finance ministry will move amendments to the insurance Act in the ongoing Parliament session.

Budget 2021 will be 'prudent; growth oriented'

Budget 2021 will be 'prudent; growth oriented'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2020

With the Budget-making exercise in full swing, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday said Budget 2021-22 is expected to be prudent and growth oriented. Das before donning the hat of RBI Governor was a career bureaucrat and was directly involved in crafting of about 10 Budgets for the country including one in the aftermath of global financial meltdown in different capacities at the finance ministry. In view of unprecedented pandemic and its impact on the economy, he said the government has maintained fiscal prudence in the response to deal with the crisis.

Panels set up to review GST exempt list, rate merger

Panels set up to review GST exempt list, rate merger

Rediff.com27 Sep 2021

The finance ministry has set up two committees of state finance ministers which would rework rate slabs, review GST exempt items and identify potential evasion sources. Four years after the roll out of the national Goods and Services Tax (GST), which replaced the complex indirect tax structure, the centre and states have started work on moving towards a "simpler rate structure in GST" by reviewing the current rate slabs, including special rates and merger of rate slabs. The Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate rationalisation would also review items under inverted duty structure to help minimise refund payout, and review the supply of goods and services exempt under GST with an objective to expand the tax base and eliminate breaking of input tax credit (ITC) chain.

GST collection at Rs 86,449 crore in Aug

GST collection at Rs 86,449 crore in Aug

Rediff.com1 Sep 2020

The revenues for August are 88 per cent of the GST collected in the same month last year.

Sri Lankan crisis worsens as new finance minister quits, dissidents may walk out

Sri Lankan crisis worsens as new finance minister quits, dissidents may walk out

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

Sri Lanka's new Finance Minister Ali Sabry on Tuesday resigned, a day after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed him after sacking his brother Basil Rajapaksa amidst the island nation's worst economic crisis.

Indians' funds in Swiss banks soars by 50% to over Rs 30,000 cr

Indians' funds in Swiss banks soars by 50% to over Rs 30,000 cr

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

Funds parked by Indian individuals and firms in Swiss banks, including through India-based branches and other financial institutions, jumped to a 14-year-high of 3.83 billion Swiss francs (over Rs 30,500 crore) in 2021 on a sharp surge in holdings via securities and similar instruments while customer deposits rose as well, annual data from Switzerland's central bank showed on Thursday.

Cash crunch: Suspected hoarding of Rs 2,000 notes to be probed

Cash crunch: Suspected hoarding of Rs 2,000 notes to be probed

Rediff.com19 Apr 2018

The rate of cash withdrawals over deposits was almost double in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, according to the latest analysis submitted by the RBI to the finance ministry.

LIC IPO: Govt to review & simplify FDI policy

LIC IPO: Govt to review & simplify FDI policy

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

The government is working towards further review and simplification of the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy to facilitate the proposed initial public offering (IPO) of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) secretary Anurag Jain said on Thursday. The final decision will be taken by the Cabinet. The industry department is working together with the finance ministry's department of financial services (DFS) and department of investment and public asset management (DIPAM) towards a successful listing of the life insurer on the domestic bourses, which is expected to be the largest in India.

Soon you may not go to jail for bouncing a cheque

Soon you may not go to jail for bouncing a cheque

Rediff.com10 Jun 2020

The finance ministry has proposed to decriminalise a host of minor offences, including those relating to cheque bounce and repayment of loans, in as many as 19 legislations to help businesses tide over the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The 19 legislations include Negotiable Instruments Act (cheque bounce), SARFAESI Act (repayment of bank loans), LIC Act, PFRDA Act, RBI Act, NHB Act, Banking Regulation Act and Chit Funds Act.

Sitharaman readies relief package for MSMEs, NBFCs

Sitharaman readies relief package for MSMEs, NBFCs

Rediff.com15 Oct 2019

PSBs have been requested to reach out to MSMEs to provide bill discounting to them against their dues since they suffer the most from shortage of cash.

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.

Amid falling collections, FinMin sets Rs 1.1 trillion monthly GST target

Amid falling collections, FinMin sets Rs 1.1 trillion monthly GST target

Rediff.com17 Dec 2019

Officers have been particularly urged to ensure that during field enforcement drive and visits, no taxpayer is overreached or troubled.

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.

Cairn gets French court order to seize 20 Indian assets

Cairn gets French court order to seize 20 Indian assets

Rediff.com8 Jul 2021

Britain's Cairn Energy has secured a French court order to seize 20 Indian govt properties to recover arbitration award, it is learnt.

What RBI governor needs to do

What RBI governor needs to do

Rediff.com12 Jan 2019

'Trust your new governor,' Omkar Goswami advises RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya. 'Just because he is from the IAS and doesn't carry a PhD from a US university does not make him unsuitable for the task.' 'If anything, Das will pour oil on troubled waters, and save the RBI's reputation.'

Was govt's decision to sell Cairn shares flawed?

Was govt's decision to sell Cairn shares flawed?

Rediff.com8 Aug 2021

Faced with prospect of its assets across the globe being seized just like Pakistan and Venezuela, the government decided to scrap retrospective taxation but the international embarrassment could have been avoided had 'attached' shares of Britain's Cairn Energy Plc not been sold, according to tax and legal experts. On Thursday, the government introduced a Bill in Parliament to scrap the tax rule that gave the tax department power to go 50 years back and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas but business assets were in India. The 2012 legislation was used to levy a cumulative of Rs 1.10 lakh crore of tax on 17 entities, including UK telecom giant Vodafone, but substantial punitive action was taken only in the case of Cairn.

Taxpayers don't have to file high value deal details in ITR

Taxpayers don't have to file high value deal details in ITR

Rediff.com17 Aug 2020

There is no proposal to modify income tax returns forms, finance ministry sources clarified when asked to comment on news reports that the purported statement of financial transactions expansion would result in the filing of high-value financial transactions in ITR by the taxpayers themselves.

2021-22 Economic Survey may revert to one volume after eight years

2021-22 Economic Survey may revert to one volume after eight years

Rediff.com15 Nov 2021

The Economic Survey released before next year's Budget could become a single volume, reverting to the practice followed till FY14. "There is so much to write about the Indian economy's performance in the past year. "Most of the exciting themes will be covered in what used to be considered Part II," said a senior government official who is part of the preparations for the Survey.

From North Block to Mint Street, Shaktikanta Das has traversed a long way

From North Block to Mint Street, Shaktikanta Das has traversed a long way

Rediff.com11 Dec 2018

From defending the shock announcement of demonetisation to spearheading the remonetisation drive that included the cumbersome process of printing and supplying new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes, his calm composure brought a sense of serenity to an otherwise chaotic situation.

Government headhunts for new Sebi chief

Government headhunts for new Sebi chief

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

The finance ministry has put out an advertisement seeking applications from eligible candidates for the post and gave just two weeks against the usual practice of three months. Further, the tenure of the watchdog is again being extended to five years.

Housing fund not for projects under litigation: Govt

Housing fund not for projects under litigation: Govt

Rediff.com7 Nov 2019

The finance ministry also said the maximum funding will be Rs 400 crore for any single project that will be seeking assistance from the 'special window' for completion of the 1,508 projects comprising about 4.58 lakh units.

Modi holds meet on cryptos as Karnataka battles Bitcoin scam charge

Modi holds meet on cryptos as Karnataka battles Bitcoin scam charge

Rediff.com14 Nov 2021

Amid concerns over misleading claims of huge returns on cryptocurrency investment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a meeting on the way forward on the issue, with government sources asserting that such unregulated markets cannot be allowed to become avenues for "money laundering and terror financing".

Interest rates on PPF, NSC cut by up to 1.4%

Interest rates on PPF, NSC cut by up to 1.4%

Rediff.com31 Mar 2020

With the reduction, term deposits of 1-3 years will now fetch an interest rate of 5.5 per cent from the existing 6.9 per cent.

India to become world's fastest growing economy: FinMin report

India to become world's fastest growing economy: FinMin report

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

Armed with necessary macro and micro growth drivers, India is on its way to becoming the fastest growing major economy in the world, a finance ministry report said. Rapid vaccination and teeming festivities will push India's ongoing recovery resulting in narrowing of demand-supply mismatches and greater employment opportunities, as per the monthly Economic Review prepared by the ministry.

FinMin junks Air India's fund-infusion proposal

FinMin junks Air India's fund-infusion proposal

Rediff.com22 Aug 2018

Airline told to transfer non-core assets, subsidiaries to special purpose vehicle

FinMin okays 8.65% interest rate on EPF

FinMin okays 8.65% interest rate on EPF

Rediff.com20 Apr 2017

The bill to amend payment of gratuity Act in order to double the ceiling of tax-free gratuity to Rs 20 lakh, would soon be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval.

Govt assessing impact of pandemic on economy, says FM

Govt assessing impact of pandemic on economy, says FM

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the government has begun an exercise to assess the impact of the pandemic on the economy and likely contraction in GDP, even as she did not rule out the possibility of another stimulus to boost growth.

State-run banks come to the rescue of MSMEs

State-run banks come to the rescue of MSMEs

Rediff.com11 Dec 2019

Banks will also consider requests from MSMEs for restructuring their stressed standard assets. So far, only 25 per cent of the around 1 million eligible MSMEs have taken benefit of the RBI's special dispensation.

Why are RBI and Sebi silent on illegal digital dabba trading?

Why are RBI and Sebi silent on illegal digital dabba trading?

Rediff.com29 Jul 2021

If Sebi and RBI remain quiet about this brazenly illegal activity, will someone in the finance ministry or the NITI Aayog take a closer look, asks Debashis Basu.

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.