Page 56 - Nirmala Sitharaman

Rail stocks rally: RVNL, IRFC, TexRail surge up to 15% on July 08; check why

The GoI is focusing on improving the railway infra and ensures faster development and completion of tracks, rail electrification, rolling stock manufacturing and delivery of passenger freight services

Andhra CM meets FM Sitharaman, seeks financial aid for debt-ridden state

Ahead of the Union Budget presentation, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, pressing for enhanced financial support to the debt-burdened state. Sources said Naidu, during the meeting in North Block, highlighted various ongoing projects in Andhra Pradesh that require urgent central assistance. "The CM presented a detailed memorandum outlining the state's financial requirements and the rationale behind the demand for increased allocation," the sources added. TDP ministers in the Centre were present during the meeting. According to the state government data, the public debt of Andhra Pradesh has increased from 31.02 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2019-20 to 33.32 per cent in 2023-24 fiscal, indicating deterioration in the fiscal health of the state in the last five years. Key among Naidu's demands were funds for the Polavaram irrigation project, special assistance for backward regions, and

Big ideas for Budget D-Day

Jobs, skills and innovation should be the focal point

'Domestic flows will sustain, but will not rise meaningfully from here'

The pockets of the market in which excess exuberance can be seen will undergo a reality check of earnings and valuations, said Gautam Sinha Roy of ICICI Pru Life Insurance

New base years for national accounts, macro indicators from Jan-Feb 2026

A base year is the reference year whose prices are used to calculate the real growth (minus inflation) in national income

GDP growth expected to slow down modestly this fiscal year and next: Poll

Most economists expect the government to maintain a broad path of fiscal consolidation

Govt to give 5-yr extension for export credit scheme amid economic slowdown

In the upcoming Budget 2024, there may be a five-year extension of the scheme for pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit

Union Budget 2024: Will Bengaluru be included in 50% HRA exemption?

Currently, rented houses in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai qualify for a 50% exemption from HRA, while those in other locations (non-metro) fall into the 40% category

Govt looks to launch new index ranking states by their labour standards

The index is aimed to promote 'healthy competition' between states to improve labour welfare, productivity, social security coverage, and more

Skill and employment sector calls for job creation, GenAI courses

Gayathri Vasudevan, trustee at Sambhav Foundation, said the meeting focused largely on optimising the utilisation of existing funds

SMEs divided over impact of new 45-days payment rule. Is it a boon or bane?

The new 45-day payment rule for SMEs, effective April 2024, aims to ease working capital issues. While some SMEs welcome it, others fear adverse impacts on their businesses

Budget 2024: Rise in standard deduction limit likely in new tax system

Union Budget 2024: Standard deduction represents a portion of the income that is not subject to taxation; it serves as a comprehensive allowance for tax deductions available to salaried employees

Budget Watch: From toys to footwear, new PLI schemes knocking on the door

Amid demands from industry bodies and govt departments, the upcoming Union Budget 2024 may see PLI schemes introduced for even more items

FinMin to meet CEOs of PSBs on Jun 25, review financial inclusion schemes

The finance ministry has called a meeting of heads of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) on Tuesday to review progress of various financial inclusion schemes, including PM Vishwakarma, Jan Suraksha and Mudra Yojana. The meeting is scheduled to be chaired by Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi. According to sources, the meeting would review the progress of various flagship schemes, including PM Vishwakarma, StandUp India, PM SVANidhi , among others. Other financial inclusion related issues would also be discussed in the meeting, sources said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September last year launched PM Vishwakarma scheme under which traditional craftsmen and artisans will be provided loan assistance at a minimal interest rate without the need for collateral. With a financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for a period of five years, the scheme will benefit about 30 lakh families of traditional artisans and craftsmen, including weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and ...

Education Budget 2024: What did FM Sitharaman say in the past five Budgets?

Education Budget 2024: The BJP-led NDA government has steadily increased its allocation towards the education sector, focusing on skilling and digitisation. Here are highlights of the last 5 years

53rd GST Council meet outcome | No tax on railway services, 12% GST on milk cans & more

The 53rd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council in its meeting on June 22 approved several compliance measures, aiming at reducing tax litigation and enhancing ease of business across the sectors.

Budget Watch: Why Ashok Gulati thinks Budget 2024 may have a populist tinge

In an exclusive interview, eminent agriculture economist Ashok Gulati talks about expectations for agriculture from Union Budget 2024 to be presented in July 2024

Budget 2024: Will the govt bring back fare concessions for senior citizens?

Union Budget 2024: According to RTI disclosures, Indian Railways earned around Rs 2,242 crore from about 150 million senior citizens during the financial year 2022-23

Budget 2024: High allocation expected for railways despite capex pressure

A report, citing government officials, said that the gross budgetary support for railways is set to increase to Rs 2.6 trillion

Budget 2024: Infrastructure takes centre stage post Lok Sabha elections

With the 2024 Lok Sabha elections now concluded, all eyes are on the Union Budget, which will be announced in July. Here's a glimpse into the key infra allocations of Interim Budget 2024