Page 2 - Nirmala Sitharaman

Nirmala Sitharaman slams congress over India AI summit protest

Sitharaman criticised the Congress for staging protest at the recently concluded AI Impact Summit, calling the demonstration "inappropriate".

Congress should regret AI Summit protest like Emergency: FM at BS Manthan

Speaking at the BS Manthan, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the demonstration by the Indian Youth Congress has shamed Indians and undermined the efforts of India's youth

BS Manthan: Sitharaman flags fund utilisation gap, cautious on China FDIs

FM Sitharaman says political choices affect fund usage, defends calibrated disinvestment, and reiterates cautious stance on Chinese investment and BITs while backing domestic reforms

Nirmala Sitharaman, Pralhad Joshi to headline Day 2 of BS Manthan: Schedule

Manthan 2026: Leaders from government, top think tanks and industry will deliberate on India's food and energy security and explore how artificial intelligence can transform the creative sectors

Gold imports not alarming yet, FDI inflows a puzzle: FM Sitharaman

'Too soon to comment on US tariff twist, but India committed to forging more trade deals'

NMP 2.0 for FY26-30 launched: Govt aims ₹16.7 trn from asset monetisation

Private investment of Rs 5.8 trillion also included in the target

Banks need to focus on core biz, desist from misselling: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday came down heavily on banks resorting to mis-selling of financial products, including insurance, saying it is an offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). "Banks should concentrate on their core business... My pet peeve has always been .... you're spending more time on selling insurance when it is not required, and conveniently, it fell between two stools (of RBI and IRDAI)," Sitharaman told reporters after her customary post-Budget address to the Central Board of the RBI. On February 11, the RBI had issued draft guidelines on mis-selling, saying banks will have to refund the entire amount paid by the customer for purchase of the product or service and also compensate the customer for any loss arising due to mis-selling as per an approved policy. The public has been given time until March 4 to give feedback. The stricter norms on mis-selling will come into effect from July 1, the RBI had said. "I am glad that the RBI is coming up

'Too early to comment': FM Sitharaman on impact of US tariff changes

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said it is too early to comment on the tariff changes announced by the United States and the commerce ministry is reviewing the situation. On Friday, the US Supreme Court gave a verdict against the sweeping import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. Following that, President Donald Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff on all countries, including India, from February 24 for 150 days. Later on Saturday, Trump announced raising these tariffs to 15 per cent. Asked about the impact of tariff changes on the Indian economy, Sitharaman said it is a "bit too soon" to comment. "But on the trade particularly, aside from the Indian economy in general, the commerce ministry is reviewing the situation. The delegation will have to take a call on when they are going to go for further negotiations. So it's a bit too early for me (to comment)," Sitharaman said. On Sunday, India and the US decided to reschedule the proposed meetin

Business Standard Manthan: Road map for making India future-ready

At the third edition of the BS summit, FM Sitharaman, Nitin Gadkari, will be among the thought leaders to deliberate on India's tremendous relevance across areas in a volatile geopolitical landscape

Budget 2026 highlights: A look at key numbers announced by FM Sitharaman

From SME funding and services-led growth to tax tweaks and tourism, Nirmala Sitharaman's record ninth Budget signalled where public spending and policy are headed in FY27

FM calls for tech share, differentiated treatment for low emissions nations

The finance minister stressed that India had increased its commitment towards climate action, increasing its budget allocation from 3.7 per cent of GDP six years ago to nearly 5.6 per cent of GDP now

Economic self-reliance core to govt policy: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance minister says Budget aims to strengthen domestic capabilities, citing strong growth and low inflation as a "Goldilocks moment" for the economy

PM Modi hails FM Sitharaman's Budget speech, calls it 'comprehensive'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the Union Budget, saying she gave a comprehensive picture of how this year's budget will contribute to the nation's economic transformation. Sitharaman, in her speech, said the government has envisaged a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore for the next financial year, up 7.7 per cent from the current fiscal ending March 31. In a post on X, Modi said, "In her speech in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Ji gave a comprehensive picture of how this year's Budget will contribute to our nation's economic transformation. She emphasised Reform Express, the support to MSMEs, skilling, push to next-gen infrastructure, efforts to boost healthcare, education and more." The finance minister said the effective capital expenditure rises to Rs 17.1 lakh crore, which is 4.4 per cent of the GDP. Besides, she said, the government is following the fis

Capex outlay in Budget to be force multiplier for Viksit Bharat: FM

Sitharaman said since the FY27 Budget was the first Budget in the second quarter of the 21st Century, there has been some investments which will have bearing on the long term

RBI looks to ban sales incentive to bank staffers from third party

Draft norms seek to curb mis-selling by barring incentives from third parties, mandating refunds and compensation, and prohibiting use of dark patterns

Budget pegs FY27 total expenditure at ₹53.47 trillion: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the government has envisaged a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore for the next financial year, up 7.7 per cent from the current fiscal ending March 31. According to the revised estimate, the size of the Budget for the current fiscal is Rs 49.64 lakh crore, lower from Rs 50.65 lakh crore estimated in February 2025. The Budget for fiscal 2024-25 was at Rs 46.52 lakh crore. Total expenditure is pegged at Rs 53.47 lakh crore in the next fiscal, much more than tax receipts, she said in reply to a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha. The government aims for tax receipts of Rs 44.04 lakh crore, 8 per cent higher than the previous year. Talking about capex, she said, the government has made the highest-ever allocation of Rs 12.2 lakh crore, which is 4.4 per cent of the GDP. Besides, she said, the government is following the fiscal discipline and has projected the fiscal deficit at 4.3 per cent of the GDP or Rs 16

Kerala enters execution phase of ₹42,000 cr rare-earth corridor project

Bids close for extraction project as Centre backs corridors in four states

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman likely to address RBI board on Feb 23

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to address the Reserve Bank of India's central board on February 23 and highlight key points of the FY27 Budget, including measures to boost manufacturing, and support for agriculture and tourism. The meeting would take place days after the RBI decided to retain the key policy rate at 5.25 per cent with a neutral stance amidst global uncertainties. The post-budget meeting has been scheduled for February 23, where the finance minister will address the board members and talk about announcements made in the Budget 2026-27 that strike a fine balance between growth and fiscal prudence, sources said. It is customary for the finance minister to address the RBI board after the budget. Unveiling her ninth straight Budget in a row on February 1 in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said, "Since we assumed office 12 years ago, India's economic trajectory has been marked by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation." The ...

CCI probing alleged cartelisation by steel makers, says FM Sitharaman

The Competition Commission is probing the alleged cartelisation by steel manufacturers and the investigation report has been shared with the parties concerned to provide their objections and suggestions in accordance with the competition law, the government said on Monday. The corporate affairs ministry also informed the Lok Sabha that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) registered 54 cases related to anti-competitive practices/and received 149 merger (M&A) filings. in 2025. In a written reply, Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said CCI has registered a case pertaining to the alleged cartelisation by steel manufacturers pursuant to the directions of the Madras High Court. After investigation, CCI's Director General (DG) submitted the investigation report, which has been shared with the parties with directions to file their objections/suggestions in accordance with the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002. "The matter is presently under inquiry before the ...

FM Sitharaman counters DMK; Oppn mulls notice for removal of Speaker

As Budget debate triggers sharp exchanges in Parliament, Sitharaman rebuts DMK charges while the Opposition considers a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla