Page 36 - Nirmala Sitharaman

Budget FY26: Goldman Sachs highlights focus on fiscal deficit, growth

India's elevated public debt-to-GDP ratio remains a concern. A reduction in the general fiscal deficit from 8 per cent in FY25 to 7 per cent by FY30 is critical to keeping public debt sustainable

Centre likely to save over Rs 70,000 crore on expenditure in FY25

FinMin has parked Rs 62K cr towards "new schemes" with the DEA, most of which is expected to go unspent with only two and half months left in FY25

Retirees ask FM for Rs 7,500 minimum monthly pension under EPS-95

A delegation of EPS-95 pensioners met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday to press for their long-pending demand for a minimum monthly pension of Rs 7,500 along with dearness allowance (DA). Under the EPS-95 or Employees Pension Scheme 1995 run by retirement fund body EPFO, the existing minimum monthly pension is Rs 1,000. According to a statement issued by EPS-95 National Agitation Committee, the finance minister has conveyed to the delegation that their demands would be reviewed and addressed in a sympathetic manner. Commander Ashok Raut, National President of the committee, highlighted the plight of over 78 lakh pensioners from central and state government PSUs, private organizations, and factories across the country. Pensioners have been agitating for over 7-8 years for an increase in the minimum pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500, along with DA and free medical treatment for both the pensioner and their spouse. "Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the .

How is the Indian Union Budget prepared?

The Indian Union Budget is crafted through a multi-step process involving various stakeholders.

Business Standard poll: Experts see FY26 nominal GDP growth at 10-11%

The first advance estimates released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Tuesday estimated a nominal GDP growth of 9.7 per cent for FY25

FinMin to review flagship schemes with PSB chiefs ahead of Budget

The meeting aims to review the progress of various financial inclusion schemes and discuss future funding requirements in light of the upcoming Budget

Can tax cuts be introduced in Union Budget 2025?

With Union Budget 2025 just around the corner, the buzz is growing. The big question: Will middle-income taxpayers finally get the relief they’ve been waiting for? Watch the video to know more.

As Census looms after years of delay, questions over expenditure persist

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also expected to gather up the unspent capex and allocation for the current fiscal to push for a massive spending effort in FY26

PM Modi launches 6-day Grameen Bharat Mahotsav, unveils rural India vision

At the inauguration, PM Modi interacted with artisans and was felicitated by Nabard Chairperson Shaji KV

New rule to avoid tax deduction on purchases through IFSC sellers

Under the new regulation, sellers must submit a declaration that includes details about the previous years for which they are claiming tax deductions

After 2024 report card, ministers get ready for work on New Year's Day

Although the talk about the New Year agenda within the government was subdued on December 31, the day started with promise of work in 2025

Budget 2025-26: India Post may get funds for tech-driven transformation

In FY25, the Union government had made a budgetary allocation of Rs 250 crore for India Post

Government extends deadline for direct tax Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme

Under the scheme, penalty charges vary based on the date of payment

Budget: Experts push for higher health, edu fund, duty cuts on cancer care

A key demand discussed in the meeting was the reduction of customs duty and other levies on the import of radiation machines used to treat cancer

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

Budget FY26: Economists urge govt to focus on consumption, tax reforms

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

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

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

Scindia aims to make India Post profitable by 2029, seeks funds from FM

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam to discuss India Post's path to profitability, an official release said on Saturday. 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 globally competitive and has been leading Department-wide efforts to drive higher customer acquisition, retention and operational efficiency. During the meeting with the finance minister, Scindia presented a new development plan for India Post and said the department is working on rationalising costs and aiming to make most processes digital. The minister hopes to make the department a profit-making logistics company with a focus on customer satisfaction, as per the release. He also mentioned that the ongoing Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) exercise will benefit a lot from the investment from the finance ministry.

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