Page 29 - Latest Updates on Nirmala Sitharaman
Industry seeks tax relief, capex boost, reforms at FinMin's pre-budget meet
Industry representatives stressed that, given the uncertainty caused by persisting global headwinds, government's focus on public capex in physical, social, and digital infrastructure will be crucial
 "Industry seeks tax relief, capex boost, reforms at FinMin's pre-budget meet")
Budget FY26: Economists urge govt to focus on consumption, tax reforms
Economists say Budget's focus should be to stimulate consumption, manufacturing, and propel employment. They also want the Centre to continue support to the MSME sector
 "Budget FY26: Economists urge govt to focus on consumption, tax reforms")
NITI Aayog urges reforms to ease worker housing near industrial hubs
To truly unleash the potential of India's manufacturing sector, there is a need to think of dense, large-scale housing for workers as infrastructure
 "NITI Aayog urges reforms to ease worker housing near industrial hubs")
ATMs to loans: Union Budget, Mint Road, and evolving financial landscape
A South Block and Mint Road tango is in the offing in 2025, foregrounded by deeper consultations with various stakeholders
 "ATMs to loans: Union Budget, Mint Road, and evolving financial landscape")
Scindia aims to make India Post profitable by 2029, seeks funds from FM
Scindia, along with officials from the Department of Posts, presented their capital expenditure demands to the finance minister to make it a profit centre by 2029
 "Scindia aims to make India Post profitable by 2029, seeks funds from FM")
Budget 2025-26: Sitharaman chairs 4th pre-budget meet with key stakeholders
On Tuesday this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with a panel of distinguished economists and thought leaders at NITI Aayog on the strategies for the Union Budget 2025-26
 "Budget 2025-26: Sitharaman chairs 4th pre-budget meet with key stakeholders")
Will Budget 2025-26 fulfil promises on fiscal deficit and reforms?
The big question is whether the finance minister will revert to the fiscal consolidation timelines or medium-term projections as provided under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act
 "Will Budget 2025-26 fulfil promises on fiscal deficit and reforms?")
PM Modi stresses fundamental change in the mindset for Viksit Bharat
The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran, and NITI Aayog officials
 "PM Modi stresses fundamental change in the mindset for Viksit Bharat")
Finance ministry weighs phasing out customs duty exemptions in Budget 2025
Exemptions under review include bulk drugs used in insulin production, raw materials for lab-grown diamonds, plastics used in optical fiber production, and more
 "Finance ministry weighs phasing out customs duty exemptions in Budget 2025")
Social media flooded with memes over 18 per cent GST on caramelised popcorn
Memes flooded the internet as the GST Council confirmed an 18 per cent tax on caramelised popcorn. Here are some of the most hilarious memes
 "Social media flooded with memes over 18 per cent GST on caramelised popcorn")
How to tax popcorn? FM's formula sparks outrage against GST system
A finance ministry spokesperson, the GST Council Secretariat and a spokesman for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party did not respond to requests for comment on the controversy
Priynaka slams BJP for GST on exam forms, says 'turning dreams to income'
Parents sacrifice their lives and save every penny to educate their children and prepare them for the exams but the BJP government has turned their dreams into a source of income, said Priyanka Gandhi
 "Priynaka slams BJP for GST on exam forms, says 'turning dreams to income'")
Punjab demands greater financial support during pre-Budget meet with FM
The Punjab government has proposed an incentive of Rs 2,500 per acre, with Rs 2,000 per acre from the Centre and Rs 500 per acre from the state
 "Punjab demands greater financial support during pre-Budget meet with FM")
States not in favour of bringing aviation turbine fuel under GST: FM
She further said that the GST Council has also deferred the decision with regard to rate rationalisation as more time is required by the GoM for a comprehensive study
 "States not in favour of bringing aviation turbine fuel under GST: FM")
States seek higher interest-free capex loans, increased borrowing limit
Infrastructure development emerged as a key focus area, with states calling for dedicated funding for state-specific road and railway projects
 "States seek higher interest-free capex loans, increased borrowing limit")
Funds devolved to states under 15th Finance Commission higher: FM
In addition to this, the Union finance minister stated that the Centre has created an additional dispensation under SASCI for the states affected by disaster of a severe nature as assessed by the Inte
 "Funds devolved to states under 15th Finance Commission higher: FM")
States ask FM for more funds under loan scheme, higher borrowing cap
In the Budget for 2024-25, Sitharaman had hiked the allocations for interest-free loans to states for capital expenditure, enabling states to spend more on infrastructure and specified reforms
 "States ask FM for more funds under loan scheme, higher borrowing cap")
Sitharaman to hold pre-Budget talks with state finance ministers on Friday
The official further noted that this year's Budget consultations are particularly significant due to the political outcomes of recent state elections
 "Sitharaman to hold pre-Budget talks with state finance ministers on Friday")
Tourism minister to meet FM seeking 'infrastructure' status for his sector
The sector has long been demanding infrastructure status, which will help it avail debt at a lower cost and boost reinvestment of profits within the industry
 "Tourism minister to meet FM seeking 'infrastructure' status for his sector")
Rs 14,131.6 crore recovered from Vijay Mallya's asset sales: FM Sitharaman
The Enforcement Directorate has restored assets worth Rs 22,280 crore to victims or rightful claimants from cases involving economic offences, the finance minister informed Lok Sabha