Page 8 - Latest Updates on Nirmala Sitharaman
Two-rate GST structure approved; new rates to kick-in from Sept 22: FM
GST on buses, trucks, and ambulances has been reduced to 18% from 28%. Uniform rate of 18% on all auto parts has been decided
 "Two-rate GST structure approved; new rates to kick-in from Sept 22: FM")
GST Council begins talks on two-rate structure, duty inversion fix
The Council, over the next two days, will discuss reducing the number of slabs in GST to just two -- 5 per cent and 18 per cent -- and removing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent slabs
 "GST Council begins talks on two-rate structure, duty inversion fix")
Oppn-ruled states meet ahead of GST Council, seek revenue loss compensation
The 56th GST Council, chaired by FM Nirmala Sitharaman, will discuss the Centre's plan to simplify GST by merging 12% and 28% slabs into two rates of 5% and 18% over the next two days
 "Oppn-ruled states meet ahead of GST Council, seek revenue loss compensation")
Sitharaman meets Singapore PM, discusses boosting strategic partnership
Ministry of Finance stated that the discussion centred on enhancing cooperation in critical areas, including trade and investment, fintech, skill development
 "Sitharaman meets Singapore PM, discusses boosting strategic partnership")
Rollout of GST reforms to bring transparent economy: FM Sitharaman
The 56th GST Council meeting, scheduled for September 3-4 in New Delhi, is set to discuss one of the biggest tax overhauls since the GST regime was rolled out in 2017
 "Rollout of GST reforms to bring transparent economy: FM Sitharaman")
Next gen GST reforms will set economy open and transparent: Sitharaman
Sitharaman urged banks to boost credit, support infrastructure, fund MSMEs, bring the unbanked into formal banking, and meet diverse financial needs for Viksit Bharat 2047
Prebudget meetings for FY27 to start on October 9, Finance Ministry says
The Finance Ministry issued the Budget circular for FY27 announcing prebudget meetings from October 9 to mid-November to review expenditure needs and receipts of ministries
 "Prebudget meetings for FY27 to start on October 9, Finance Ministry says")
Artisans, weavers bodies urge Centre to scrap GST on textiles, handicrafts
Artisans and weavers seek zero GST on handlooms and handicrafts citing sectoral distress, while the fertiliser industry urges GST rate cut on inputs and refund of blocked tax credits
 "Artisans, weavers bodies urge Centre to scrap GST on textiles, handicrafts")
FM Sitharaman meets Qatar trade minister to strengthen bilateral trade
During the discussion, Sitharaman highlighted the transformative steps taken by India to attract foreign investments in the last decade
 "FM Sitharaman meets Qatar trade minister to strengthen bilateral trade")
More than 560 mn Jan Dhan accounts opened in last 11 years: Sitharaman
She stated that PMJDY has been one of the major channels for delivering benefits under various schemes
Nuclear energy can help power India's economic growth, private push welcome
For decades, state control was justified by concerns over radiation safety, misuse of nuclear material, and strategic security
 "Nuclear energy can help power India's economic growth, private push welcome")
FM Sitharaman briefs GST GoMs on need for sweeping tax reforms
GoMs on rate rationalisation, insurance taxation and compensation cess will over two days deliberate on the Centre's 'next-gen' GST reforms under which tax will be levied at 5 and 18 per cent rates
Invest Rs 21,000 to earn Rs 20 lakh monthly? Viral videos of FM are fake
Digitally manipulated clips mark another instance of cybercriminals trying to defraud people
 "Invest Rs 21,000 to earn Rs 20 lakh monthly? Viral videos of FM are fake")
GoM meet today: What's on agenda as Centre pushes 2-slab GST reform plan
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to explain Centre's plan for two GST slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent, with a 40 per cent rate on select goods
 "GoM meet today: What's on agenda as Centre pushes 2-slab GST reform plan")
Govt likely to revive anti-profiteering rules under GST 2.0 overhaul
Anti-profiteering provisions were first introduced in 2017, when GST replaced multiple indirect taxes and several items had lower tax incidence
 "Govt likely to revive anti-profiteering rules under GST 2.0 overhaul")
Mudra Yojana NPAs against outstanding loans rise to 9.8% at end of FY25
PMMY scheme mainly caters to those segments of society which have been outside the formal credit system because of a lack of collateral, business experience, etc, FM told Parliament
FM Sitharaman to attend GoM meeting on Aug 20, explain next-gen GST reforms
The two-day meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation is scheduled on August 20-21 here, sources said
New GST plan by Diwali: What is a GoM, how it works, and why it matters
Explainer: What the GST Council's GoM on rate rationalisation is, how it works, who its members are, and how its decisions could shape India's two-slab GST plan by Diwali 2025
 "New GST plan by Diwali: What is a GoM, how it works, and why it matters")
Expect an income tax refund rush as new law approaches implementation
These refunds, reckoned to be close to ₹1,000 crore, largely relate to tax demand cases in which taxpayers had secured favourable orders from appellate authorities
 "Expect an income tax refund rush as new law approaches implementation")
Income Tax Bill 2025: Key changes for property owners, taxpayers, investors
Income Tax New Bill 2025: The revised Income Tax Bill, 2025 replaces last week's withdrawn draft, bringing clearer property rules, new slabs, higher rebates and fixes for refund claims
 "Income Tax Bill 2025: Key changes for property owners, taxpayers, investors")