Page 11 - Finance Minister

Manmohan Singh defended the landmark 1991 Union Budget, but how? Check here

Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms, had to literally face a trial-by-fire to ensure widespread acceptance of his path-breaking Union Budget of 1991 that saw the nation rise from its darkest financial crises. Singh, the newly-appointed finance minister in the P V Narasimha Rao-led government, did it with great elan -- from facing journalists at a post-budget press conference and irate Congress leaders at the parliamentary party meeting who were unable to digest the wide-ranging reforms. Singh's historic reforms in 1991 not only rescued India from near bankruptcy but also redefined its trajectory as a rising global power. Singh made an unscheduled appearance at the press conference on July 25, 1991, a day after the presentation of the Union Budget "to ensure that the message of his budget did not get distorted by less-than-enthusiastic officials", Congress leader Jairam Ramesh writes in his book 'To the Brink and Back: India's 1991 Story' that recounts the ...

Monetary policy stance may have led to demand slowdown in H1: Finmin review

India's economic growth slowed more sharply than anticipated in the July-September period of FY25, dropping to a seven-quarter low of 5.4 per cent

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

Govt aims to bring down fiscal deficit to 4.5% in FY26: Finmin report

The government will continue its focus on improving quality spending, strengthening the social security net and bring down the fiscal deficit to 4.5 per cent of the GDP in FY26, a finance ministry document said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is schedule to present the Budget for 2025-26 in Parliament on February 1. The Union government is committed to pursuing the glide path of fiscal consolidation as announced in the Budget for FY 2021-22 and to attain a level of fiscal deficit lower than 4.5 per cent of GDP by FY 2025-26, according to finance ministry statements on the half yearly review of the trends in receipts and expenditure and deviation in meeting the obligations of the government under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003. The statements were tabled in the Lok Sabha last week. "The thrust will be on improving the quality of public spending, while at the same time, strengthening the social security net for the poor and needy. This approach would h

Priynaka slams BJP for GST on exam forms, says 'turning dreams to income'

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday attacked the BJP over levying GST on examination forms, saying the government had turned the dreams of parents who saved every penny to prepare their children for exams into a source of income. The Congress general secretary shared an examination form of the Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute, Sultanpur, that showed 18 per cent GST was being charged. "The BJP cannot provide jobs to youngsters but it is definitely rubbing salt on the wounds by charging 18 per cent GST on examination forms. GST is being charged on every government job form, including Agniveer," Priyanka Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. "After filling the form, if the paper is leaked due to the failure of the government or if there is corruption, then this money of the youngsters is wasted," she said. 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

Punjab demands greater financial support during pre-Budget meet with FM

Punjab has sought Rs 1,000 crore Central assistance to strengthen its police infrastructure and security efforts in the border districts, among a slew of other demands, at a pre-budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held in Jaisalmer, an official statement said on Sunday. Industrial incentives similar to those provided to Jammu and Kashmir and the neighbouring hill states were also sought to support the MSMEs in Punjab's border and sub-mountainous regions, a Punjab government statement said on Sunday. Quoting Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the statement said the state has strongly raised the demand to restore NABARD's Short-Term Seasonal Agricultural Operations (ST-SAO) limit to Rs 3,041 crore, from the reduced limit of Rs 1,100 crore, for FY 2024-25. Cheema said this restoration is vital to prevent farmers from turning to moneylenders, aligning with the 'Sahakar se Samriddhi' principle. Several states raised this issue which was discussed at .

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

Funds devolved to states under 15th Finance Commission higher: FM

Funds devolved to states under the 15th Finance Commission (2021-2024) is more than what was devolved under the 14th Finance Commission (2015-20), finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday. In a pre-budget meeting with states, Sitharaman remarked that because of healthy macroeconomic environment, buoyancy and efficiency in the tax collections, the devolution has increased. "The funds devolved to the states in the last 45 months (April 2021 to December 2024) under the 15th Finance Commission is more than what was devolved in 60 months under the 14th Finance Commission (2015-20)," an official statement quoting Sitharaman said. The Union finance minister also referred to the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), which was first announced in the Union Budget 2020-21, and acknowledged that it has received a very good response from states. States have been requesting the Central government to enhance the outlay under the scheme as it is leading

States ask FM for more funds under loan scheme, higher borrowing cap

Finance ministers of states demanded an increase in allocation of 50-year interest free loan, while fiscally stressed states like Punjab and Kerala pitched for a special package and borrowing flexibility, sources said. In a pre-budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, states have also urged for higher borrowing limits to support fiscal activities, besides additional funds for Jal Jeevan Mission to arrange for tanks and storage to enhance water supplies. Sources said in the meeting, Maharashtra wanted funds for Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and demanded that a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) be launched with the Centre and state sharing 50 per cent of the cost each. The Budget for 2025-26 is slated to be presented in Parliament on February 1, 2025. Finance ministers of all states attended Friday's meeting with Sitharaman here. Several states demanded increase in allocations for the 50 years interest-free loan scheme, sources said, adding they also ...

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

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

Trudeau names LeBlanc as Canada's new finance minister with govt in chaos

LeBlanc was sworn in during a late afternoon ceremony in Ottawa. The 57-year-old has been serving as public safety minister

FinMin asks banks to closely monitor NCLT, NARCL cases to reduce delays

The Finance Ministry on Thursday asked banks to closely monitor cases in NARCL and NCLT to minimise procedural delays and adjournments so that bad loan resolution matters are expedited. An integrated portal is being developed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs for seamless information flow to banks on the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) cases, the finance ministry said in a statement. The decision was taken in a review meeting chaired by Department of Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju to address key operational challenges and enhance the efficiency of resolution mechanisms through the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) and NCLT. The discussion on cases at NARCL centred on expediting timelines for the resolution of accounts. The Secretary underscored NARCL's pivotal role as a specialised entity designed to accelerate the resolution of large-value stressed assets, thereby, strengthening the financial ecosystem, it said. During the meeting, it was info

Retailers urge FinMin and GST Council not to go for higher 35% tax rate

Indian Sellers Collective, an umbrella body of trade associations and sellers across the country, has urged the finance minister and the GST Council not to accept some of GST rate rationalisation suggestions, including the proposal for inclusion of a special rate of 35 per cent on some products. The sellers body is of the view that a fifth GST slab of 35 per cent on demerit goods such as aerated beverages, cigarettes and tobacco, and pricing-based rate structure will materially and fundamentally alter the country's GST framework with devastating outcomes. These recommendations violate both the letter and the spirit that it will be a 'good and simple tax', Indian Sellers Collective said in a statement on Thursday ahead of the 55th GST Council meeting to be held on December 21, 2024 at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. "On the contrary, it will hurt the profit margins of the retailers, lead to compliance nightmares and fuel a parallel economy. This move will primarily benefit Chinese producers wh

Reducing debt burden priority for next decade, says FM Sitharaman

Sitharaman said that intergenerational debt is mounting on countries, and it is important for the government and industry to work together to manage debt at the national and sub-national levels

PSBs were UPA's ATM for cronies: FM Sitharaman hits out at Rahul Gandhi

Finance Minister Nirmala on Wednesday termed the allegation of Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi against state-owned banks as an insult to the hardworking employees and to the citizens who benefit from a cleaner, stronger banking system. Gandhi has a penchant for making baseless statements and the fact is that high concentration of corporate credit and indiscriminate lending during UPA tenure had resulted in significant deterioration in the health of public sector banks, she said in a series of posts on X. Banking sector, especially Public Sector Banks (PSBs), have seen a remarkable turnaround under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said. Earlier in the day, Gandhi after meeting a delegation from the All India Banking Officers Confederation accused the government of using public sector banks, the "lifelines of the masses", as an unlimited source of funds for their "fraudulent friends". "The Modi government has turned these lifelines of the masses into privat

Industry must realign itself with political, strategic policies: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the industry will have to realign its policies keeping in mind political and strategic decisions of the country. Outlining the priorities of the economy for the next decade, Sitharaman also said attempts should be made to restore global calm and normalcy and noted that war or any form of disruption should be avoided. Sitharaman said the economy has to "clawback" more to regain its strength after the Covid pandemic and any skirmish or war will impact the supply chains and food value chains. "The world is facing challenges which are reflected in the economy," the Minister said at the CII Global Economic Policy Forum here. Talking about ways to tackle supply chain disruptions, Sitharaman said currently there is a need to blend economic priorities with politics and strategic needs. "When we talk about restoring supply chains to frictionless supply chains, let's not forget it's not just economics, it's more than that... We have to b

Q2 GDP showing not a systemic slowdown, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

India's growth slowed to a seven-quarter low of 5.4 per cent in the July-September period of FY25

Finance minister Sitharaman to begin pre-Budget consultation from Friday

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will start pre-Budget consultations with various stakeholders beginning Friday as part of Budget making exercise. The first meeting as part of this series will be held with eminent economists on December 6. Sitharaman, who will chair these meetings, will seek their inputs regarding upcoming Budget amid seven-quarter low GDP print of 5.4 per cent in second quarter of the current financial year. It will be followed by a meeting with farmer associations and agriculture economists and stakeholders in MSME sector on December 7, sources said. Union Budget 2025-26 is likely to be tabled in Parliament on February 1. This would be the eighth straight Budget of Sitharaman and second full budget of the Modi 3.0 government, which will give policy direction for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047. The pre-Budget consultations will end on December 30 with consultations with captains of Indian industry and players in the social secto

Govt invites applications for post of pension fund panel PFRDA chief

The government has begun searching for a successor to Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) chairman Deepak Mohanty whose term is ending in May next year. The PFRDA chairman holds office for five years or till the age of 65 years. The chairman is entitled to a consolidated salary of Rs 5.62 lakh per month without the facility of house and car, the finance ministry said while inviting applications for the post. As per the eligibility criteria mentioned in the public notice issued by the Department of Financial Services, the applicant should have a minimum of two years of residual service as of the last date of submission of applications. Applicants should be a government servant and have worked as Secretary/Additional Secretary in the Government of India or its equivalent level in a State Government for at least three years, it said. A public sector official, and has worked at least at one level immediately below the board level for at least three years or an ..