News for 'state finance department'

'PM's Parliament speech was jumlebaazi'

'PM's Parliament speech was jumlebaazi'

Rediff.com11 Feb 2022

'It will take a long time for people's memory to be misled by a prime minister who is so arrogant and who refuses to acknowledge his own faults.'

Centre may offer an exit window to cryptocurrency holders

Centre may offer an exit window to cryptocurrency holders

Rediff.com12 Apr 2021

The government is considering a provision to provide an exit window to holders of cryptocurrencies (cryptos), keeping in mind that banning them outright could deal a blow to investors sitting on them for years. According to sources in the government, the framework in the making may propose a grace period of three to six months for investors before prohibiting the possession, trading, mining, and issuing of cryptos. A group of secretaries chaired by the Cabinet secretary is learnt to have met in mid-March and discussed issues associated with cryptos, including the consequences of banning them and also on possible substitutes of blockchain technology - an advanced technology Bitcoin uses.

Govt to bring in legislation to regulate crypto currency

Govt to bring in legislation to regulate crypto currency

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

Operationalising the ban is being fleshed out: it will entail which cryptocurrencies will be banned and how.

Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi is new Punjab CM

Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi is new Punjab CM

Rediff.com20 Sep 2021

The Congress picked Charanjit Singh Channi as the next chief minister of Punjab, making him the first Dailt to hold the post in the state, a day after Amarinder Singh resigned following a bitter power tussle in the party.

MFs' exit load, late payment charges on credit card attract GST

MFs' exit load, late payment charges on credit card attract GST

Rediff.com4 Jun 2018

In a set of FAQs on applicability of Goods and Services Tax on banking, insurance and stock brokers sectors, the revenue department has clarified that transactions relating to securitisation, derivatives, future and forward contracts are exempt.

FM prods PSBs to implement 'Aatmanirbhar' relief package

FM prods PSBs to implement 'Aatmanirbhar' relief package

Rediff.com22 May 2020

The finance minister has emphasised on the quick disbursal of additional loans to MSMEs, to simplify process, formats and documentation.

Defacement of Mahatma Gandhi's statue was a 'disgrace': Trump

Defacement of Mahatma Gandhi's statue was a 'disgrace': Trump

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

The statue, which is across the road from the Indian Embassy, was vandalised on the intervening night of June 2 and 3, prompting the Indian embassy to register a complaint with the local law enforcement agencies. The incident happened during the week of nationwide protests against the custodial killing of Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.

NSE in firefighting mode to minimise reputational harm after Sebi's order

NSE in firefighting mode to minimise reputational harm after Sebi's order

Rediff.com28 Feb 2022

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has got into firefighting mode to control the reputational damage caused by the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) order against its former managing director and chief executive officer Chitra Ramkrishna and others. According to sources, the exchange's management over the past one week has met several key stakeholders, including officials in the finance ministry and Sebi, major shareholders, and trading members, trying to distance itself from the controversy. The exchange plans to hold more meetings in the coming week to ensure that trading volumes and confidence in the bourse don't get impacted, they added.

PM reviews progress of Rs 20 lakh cr stimulus package

PM reviews progress of Rs 20 lakh cr stimulus package

Rediff.com14 Jul 2020

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the economy is showing "green shoots" as the country emerges from the coronavirus lockdown and underscored the importance of being focussed on both life and livelihood.

Modi's 5-year vision: What's it all about

Modi's 5-year vision: What's it all about

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

Spurring the economy, currently in the throes of a slowdown, remains the prime focus for most ministries, but the government is also looking to make women's welfare and environmental protection key to policymaking in this term.

New migrant plan: 12 ministries, 125 days, Rs 50,000cr

New migrant plan: 12 ministries, 125 days, Rs 50,000cr

Rediff.com18 Jun 2020

The Government of India has decided to launch a massive rural public works scheme, 'Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan', to "empower and provide livelihood opportunities to the returnee migrant workers and rural citizens". Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch this scheme on June 20 through video conference in the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

India's Cairn and Unable Moment

India's Cairn and Unable Moment

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

The Indian State does not believe in the rule of law. It does not even recognise the need to follow treaties that it itself signed. And so it is refusing to shell out to Cairn; and, as a consequence, has brought on the Paris humiliation, notes Mihir S Sharma.

In its zeal to sell A-I, govt goes slow on others

In its zeal to sell A-I, govt goes slow on others

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

The Centre's push to sell Air India on priority has led to delays in other strategic divestment proposals, such as privatising United India Insurance, as well as ongoing transactions, such as Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), revealed multiple officials involved in the process. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) is yet to take new privatisation recommendations of the NITI Aayog to the core group of secretaries on disinvestment (CGD) headed by the Cabinet secretary, said one of the officials. The priority now is to ensure all approvals for Air India are in place since the government intends to hand over the national carrier as early as this month.

Why did Modi fail to anticipate a second wave?

Why did Modi fail to anticipate a second wave?

Rediff.com18 May 2021

'We had decided that India was unique and had overcome Covid.' 'Other nations ordered vaccines on time.' 'They let their scientists determine whether the battle against the pandemic was won instead of a divinely inspired leadership,' asserts Aakar Patel.

Is ED Bad Only When It Targets Gandhis?

Is ED Bad Only When It Targets Gandhis?

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

If the fear of ED could drive the powerful people of today to be honest or at least be minimally corrupt, will it not be a great thing for our nation?, asks Sudhir Bisht.

Govt Must Improve Ease Of Living

Govt Must Improve Ease Of Living

Rediff.com15 Feb 2022

Having a single point KYC that is automatically used across all financial and non-financial entities is a single piece of reform that should be an easy win to achieve, points out Harsh Roongta.

Hard work rewards Himanta Biswa Sarma with CM's mantle

Hard work rewards Himanta Biswa Sarma with CM's mantle

Rediff.com9 May 2021

Sarma's eyes, according to those close to him, were always set on the top job in Assam. However, the leader who owed his early rise to two former chief ministers from the Congress had to toil for many years with dogged determination to achieve his goal.

Blow to India as US, UK courts confirm $1.4 bn award to Cairn

Blow to India as US, UK courts confirm $1.4 bn award to Cairn

Rediff.com8 Mar 2021

Courts in five countries including the US and the UK have given recognition to an arbitration award that asked India to return $1.4 billion to Cairn Energy plc - a step that now opens the possibility of the British firm seizing Indian assets in those countries if New Delhi does not pay, sources said. Cairn Energy had moved courts in nine countries to enforce its $1.4 billion arbitral award against India, which the company won after a dispute with the country's revenue authority over a retroactively applied capital gains tax. Of these, the December 21 award from a three-member tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands has been recognised and confirmed by courts in the US, the UK, Netherlands, Canada and France, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

Budget 2020: Govt clarifies on NRI tax

Budget 2020: Govt clarifies on NRI tax

Rediff.com3 Feb 2020

The ministry said it was an anti-abuse provision amid growing instances of NRIs shifting their stay in low or no-tax jurisdiction to avoid tax payment in India.

Defence equipment: To lease or not to lease?

Defence equipment: To lease or not to lease?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2020

Admiral describes it as 'a path-breaking change'; defence ministry official disagrees.

Covid redux: India Inc switches back to SOS mode from wait-and-watch

Covid redux: India Inc switches back to SOS mode from wait-and-watch

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

With the dizzying rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country, India Inc has transitioned from a wait-and-watch policy to full-on emergency mode, bringing back remote and flexi work, stringent safety protocols, and allowing only essential travel. Companies - especially in metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata - that had adopted a hybrid work model during the last few months when the caseload remained low, are either switching back entirely to work-from-home (WFH), or calling skeletal staff to office on select days. Take the case of cigarettes-to-hotels major, ITC, which had been on a hybrid work model over the last few months.

Budget: TUs want FM to hike I-T ceiling, minimum wages, pension

Budget: TUs want FM to hike I-T ceiling, minimum wages, pension

Rediff.com19 Dec 2019

They said that massive public investment in infrastructure, social sectors and agriculture would generate employment and the Union Budget should give it a priority and allocate necessary funds for this.

How to fix the PMC Bank crisis

How to fix the PMC Bank crisis

Rediff.com23 Oct 2019

'Put the assets of PMC Bank and the personal assets of the HDIL promoters and head of PMC Bank in an escrow account and ring-fence it from the ad hoc action of the revenue departments and creditors,' recommends Debashis Basu.

Jaitley: No vendetta, I-T raids on basis of evidence

Jaitley: No vendetta, I-T raids on basis of evidence

Rediff.com10 Apr 2019

The searches are linked to suspected movement of hawala money during the ongoing polls season and tax evasion.

Bihar Aquaponics Farm Blazes A Trail

Bihar Aquaponics Farm Blazes A Trail

Rediff.com16 Jul 2022

'Aquaponics can effectively cushion the impact of a calamity like COVID.'

Modi starts pre-Budget meets to brainstorm on economy

Modi starts pre-Budget meets to brainstorm on economy

Rediff.com19 Jun 2019

Tuesday's meeting at the PM's residence, attended by all the five secretaries in the finance ministry besides top officials of other economic ministries and NITI Aayog, cleared a five-year vision plan for the government to make India a $5-trillion economy by 2024.

26/11 terrorist Hafiz Saeed sentenced to 11 yrs jail

26/11 terrorist Hafiz Saeed sentenced to 11 yrs jail

Rediff.com13 Feb 2020

The court sentenced Saeed to five-and-a-half years and imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 in each case. The sentences of both cases will run concurrently.

Low profile, yet outspoken, Trai's Vaghela knows how to take tough calls

Low profile, yet outspoken, Trai's Vaghela knows how to take tough calls

Rediff.com8 Oct 2020

Vagela could not have reached this position if Narendra Modi, who'd known him from his chief minister days, had not backed the choice.

Finmin pins hope on vaccine drive for robust recovery in services sector

Finmin pins hope on vaccine drive for robust recovery in services sector

Rediff.com11 Feb 2021

FY22 will be the year to rebuild with the IMF projecting output growth at 11.5 per cent, economic survey at 11.0 per cent and the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee at 10.5 per cent.

Kamala Harris chooses all-women team for chief of staff, NSA, domestic policy advisor

Kamala Harris chooses all-women team for chief of staff, NSA, domestic policy advisor

Rediff.com4 Dec 2020

United States Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has named her Chief of Staff, Domestic Policy Advisor and National Security Advisor -- an all-women team -- which she said has the experience to hit the ground from day one.

DoT engages with banks to find solution for telecom sector

DoT engages with banks to find solution for telecom sector

Rediff.com8 Aug 2021

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has initiated discussions with banks to address financial stress in the telecom sector, particularly Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) that urgently requires fund infusion to stay afloat. There was a meeting of DOT officials and senior bankers on Friday on the issue of Vodafone, sources said, adding that banks have been asked to look for a solution within the prudential guidelines. According to sources, senior officials from the country's biggest lenders State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda were also present among others in the meeting. More such meetings are expected to take place in the coming days, they said.

FM allocates Rs 35,000 crores for COVID-19 vaccine

FM allocates Rs 35,000 crores for COVID-19 vaccine

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

The Budget outlay for health and well being is Rs 2.23 lakh crore in 2021-22 as against BE of Rs 94,452 crore and marks an increase of 137 per cent," she said while presenting 2021-22 Budget in the Lok Sabha.

Prolonged lockdown to make India's water crisis worse

Prolonged lockdown to make India's water crisis worse

Rediff.com4 May 2020

Making water available is always a serious challenge in the summer for all public authorities. This year, the challenge is higher when hand-washing at every opportunity has become a necessity. So keeping potable water lines running without a glitch has become most necessary.

Time For RBI To Change Penalty Rules

Time For RBI To Change Penalty Rules

Rediff.com11 Nov 2021

Penalty must act as a deterrent. If it is too low, it could encourage the regulated entities to lap up penalty instead of complying with the norms, suggests Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Watch out for Michael Patra at RBI!

Watch out for Michael Patra at RBI!

Rediff.com5 Feb 2020

'I am sure Dr Patra will get the fullest cooperation from the finance minister who needs workhorses, not prima donnas constantly looking to improve their CVs,' says T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan.

Covid impact: Imports of digital thermometers rise 2,410%

Covid impact: Imports of digital thermometers rise 2,410%

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

From Covid-19 essentials, such as Vitamin C supplements and thermometers, to bicycles, laptops, and personal weighing scales, demand for certain items galloped during last financial year as the pandemic altered what Indians used on a day-to-day basis. Imports of outdoor sports equipment, handbags for women, and dentures, among others, plummeted. With outdoor activities coming to a halt last year and schools functioning virtually, imports of sports goods witnessed a decline, while inbound shipments of laptops and battery chargers saw a sharp uptick, according to the import data for the financial year 2020-21.

Exactly how much does Vodafone Idea owe the govt?

Exactly how much does Vodafone Idea owe the govt?

Rediff.com6 Mar 2020

VIL pegs dues at Rs 21,533 cr, less than half of DoT estimate. During a meeting with Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad made it clear that the government is against a monopoly in the telecom sector, and wants Vodafone Idea to survive and remain invested in India.

As FY ends, taxman stares at shortfall in direct tax collection

As FY ends, taxman stares at shortfall in direct tax collection

Rediff.com26 Mar 2019

The total direct tax collection stands at a little over Rs 9 trillion, giving the taxman just few days to reach the 2018-19 revised target of Rs 12 trillion., reports Shrimi Choudhary.

Fiscal deficit likely to be close to target

Fiscal deficit likely to be close to target

Rediff.com23 Jan 2018

Accounting for the first Advance Estimates for 2017-18, an additional planned borrowing of Rs 200 billion, the fiscal deficit could come in at 3.35 per cent of GDP.

Lack of data a hurdle in advancing Budget

Lack of data a hurdle in advancing Budget

Rediff.com23 Aug 2016

The idea behind advancing the Budget date is to ensure that the Finance Bill is passed before the start of the financial year, on April 1, so that all central government departments get their full allocations to work with right from the first day