Page 2 - Finance Minister

Economy accelerated in Q2FY26, momentum to sustain: Finance Ministry

The review also flagged the rise in long-term sovereign bond yields of major economies and said this could undermine the hedging role such bonds typically play in the financial markets

Increase agricultural credit to meet rural India's demands: FM to banks

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged rural banks to increase agricultural credit disbursement to meet the growing demand of new rural India, while reviewing the business performance of Karnataka Grameena Bank (KaGB) here. According to an official statement, Sitharaman chaired the meeting, attended by Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary M Nagaraju, NABARD Chairman Shaji K V, and other senior officials from the finance ministry on Thursday. During the review, Sitharaman assessed key indicators, including credit growth, NPAs (Non-Performing Assets), financial inclusion, and the implementation of government-sponsored schemes by KaGB. She advised the bank to increase its share in ground-level agriculture credit disbursement, with special focus on emerging areas of the economy. Sitharaman also directed all stakeholders to take steps to realise the potential of allied agricultural activities in the region. KaGB and Canara Bank should work closely with state ..

Nirmala Sitharaman reviews KaGB, focuses on FPO and MSME lending

Finance Minister reviews Karnataka Grameena Bank's performance in Ballari, calling for greater focus on rural lending, MSME support, and FPO financing for inclusive growth

FM Sitharaman urges farmers to utilise govt schemes for higher profits

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday urged farmers to make full use of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) to turn agriculture into a profitable venture. Speaking after inaugurating the Farmers' Training and Common Facility Centre in Koppal district, Sitharaman, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, said the new generation GST reforms will also benefit agrarian communities. The facility was set up using her MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund. PMFME was launched to support value addition in agricultural products. The Centre provides financial and technical assistance and helps businesses upgrade under the scheme, she said. Sitharaman added that the government aims to promote rural entrepreneurship to generate jobs in villages. "More than Rs 3,700 crore funds have been given by the Centre to states till now since 2020. Loans have been provided to farmers. Rs 11,000 cr

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Ayodhya on two-day visit

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Ayodhya on Wednesday for a two-day visit. Sitharaman was received at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport by Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna and Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, according to an official statement. Traditional melodies filled the air as her convoy, under tight security, proceeded to Hotel Radisson, before she began her scheduled engagements. Sitharaman's visit marks a special cultural event at Brihaspati Kund in Tedhi Bazaar, where she, along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, will unveil the statues of three legendary South Indian musicians -- Tyagaraja Swamigal, Purandara Dasa and Arunachala Kavi -- the statement said. The statues installed in the Brihaspati Kund complex stand as timeless symbols of India's musical, devotional and artistic heritage, it added. These saint-musicians infused divine devotion into Indian classical music, making it the spiritual essence of the country's

Tech must not be weaponised to thwart global progress: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister asks fintechs to focus on trust, safety and financial inclusion

Sitharaman launches foreign currency settlement system at GIFT City

We should refrain from weaponising technology: FM Sitharaman at Global Fintech Fest 2025.

Emmanuel Macron ally Roland Lescure named France's new finance minister

An initial salvo of 18 ministers was announced on Sunday evening by Emmanuel Moulin, Secretary General of the Élysee Palace

Sitharaman launches campaign to return ₹1.84 trn unclaimed financial assets

Most of the locked-up funds are in the form of deposits, insurance, provident fund, and shares, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, calling on officials to ensure they reach the rightful owners

Private sector sees scope in India as govt maintains capex push: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said India's capacity to absorb external shocks is strong at a time when the world economy is undergoing a structural transformation. She said the task before nations is not only to manage uncertainty but to confront trade, financial and energy imbalances. "Geopolitical conflicts are intensifying. Sanctions, tariffs, and decoupling strategies are reshaping global supply chains... For India, these dynamics highlight both vulnerability and resilience. Our capacity to absorb shocks is strong, while our economic leverage is evolving. "Our choices will determine whether resilience becomes a foundation for leadership or merely a buffer against uncertainty," Sitharaman said at Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025 here. Addressing the session on 'Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times', Sitharaman said wars and strategic rivalries are redrawing the boundaries of cooperation and conflict. "Alliances that once appeared solid are being tested, and new .

FM proposes 'Pension Sakhis' to drive NPS growth, launches new scheme

FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposed training women as Pension Sakhis to boost NPS enrolments and launched the Multiple Scheme Framework giving subscribers greater flexibility

FM Nirmala Sitharaman to inaugurate Kautilya Economic Conclave on Oct 3

The fourth Kautilya Economic Conclave will open Oct 3 with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurating the three-day event on prosperity in turbulent global times

India's resilience stands out amid global uncertainties: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said India's resilience stands out due to its strong macroeconomic fundamentals amid increasing global uncertainties. Speaking at the 91st Foundation Day function of the Bank of Maharashtra, the Union Finance Minister said the uncertainty in the global environment has increased over the past year, and its impact is being felt across countries. "But amidst all these uncertain global situations, India's resilience stands out and several favourable factors, such as strong macroeconomic fundamentals, a young demography, and greater reliance on domestic demand, provide the core strength to the Indian economy," she noted. Sitharaman said the economic resilience has continued, particularly in the April-June quarter this year, as well, where India's GDP has grown by 7.8 per cent. "This...is not accidental at all," she said, adding that it reflects proactive fiscal and monetary policies, bold structural reforms, massive infrastructure creation

'GST reform not mere tax change but revolution', says FM Sitharaman

Addressing the gathering, Minister Sitharaman paid tribute to women workers who form the backbone of the matchbox industry

Large ships get infrastructure status in boost to maritime industry

Move seen to ease financing woes of India's nascent shipbuilding industry

Don't hesitate to invest more: FM Nirmala Sitharaman to India Inc

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asked industry to shed hesitation in investing and expand capacities while partnering with the government to skill youth for faster employment

₹3.6 trillion given to 22 states under 50-year loan, says FM Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said about Rs 3.6 lakh crore was given to 22 states so far under 50-year interest-free assistance. Addressing CII GCC Business Summit here, she also said India's capital investment grew to 4.1 per cent (including states) of the GDP in 2024-25 from 1.7 per cent in 2013-14. "The central government has also provided 50-year interest-free assistance to the state governments so that they can have their capital assets increased (with) money to spend on them. The Centre has given 50-year interest-free money to all states and the total of what has been given is about 3.6 lakh crore till now. That is the last four years. "And 22 states have actually used it, resulting in recording more than 10 per cent growth in capital expenditure from their own resources," she said. Sitharaman further said during the last 11 years, 88 airports have been operationalised, 31,000 kilometers of new rail tracks have been laid, Metro networks expanded over

No ITC for hotel rooms up to Rs 7,500 under 5% GST, says FinMin

Finance Ministry clarified that hotels must levy 5% GST without ITC on rooms up to Rs 7,500, a move industry bodies warn could hurt mid-scale and budget hotels

FM Sitharaman highlights GIFT City as global hub for financial services

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday highlighted the role of IFSC GIFT City as a global financial service provider. During the meeting with top management of HSBC Plc, Sitharaman outlined the roadmap towards Viksit Bharat, towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, sustainability, innovation, adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and inclusivity. GIFT IFSC, international financial services centre, is located in Gandhinagar Gujarat. HSBC Group chairman Mark E Tucker and the Board Members of the UK-based financial services firm met the finance minister here. The meeting focused on India's growth story, Government of India's policy initiatives and HSBC's role in supporting India, the finance ministry said in a post on X. Members of the top management of HSBC appreciated India's continued growth story, including, the government's focus on broad regulatory reforms, and recent taxation reforms in both direct and indirect taxation, it said. The dialogue also addressed India's ambition to .

Regulations should foster innovations, not wipe them out: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday emphasised the need for regulations that foster technology innovation in a responsible manner, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), rather than stifling it. The government is determined to not only adopt AI technologies but also ensure their responsible application across various sectors, she said while releasing the report 'AI for Viksit Bharat: The Opportunity for Accelerated Economic Growth'. "We do not want regulation that literally wipe out technology itself. We want regulations because we want a responsible application," she said after releasing the report prepared by Niti Aayog here. "AI is a rapidly progressing, real time, dynamic thing, and therefore all of us will have to be conscious that we don't sit back on the ethic as AI can also have its challenges," she said. The challenge not just in jobs, but also in a way in which these can be misused which can have repercussions for the society, she added. According to the