Page 6 - Nirmala Sitharaman

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

FM Sitharaman to inaugurate 4th Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025 on Oct 3

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the 4th Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2025) with the theme 'Seeking Prosperity in Turbulent Times' here on October 3. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will close the proceedings with reflections on India's foreign and economic policy on October 5, the Finance Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The three-day KEC 2025 promises to be a dynamic forum, combining India's domestic priorities with global perspectives and charting pathways to prosperity in a time of turbulence, it added. Building on its rich experience, KEC has significantly improved its quality and international presence with 75 participants from abroad, representing over 30 countries, to focus on contemporary challenges, it noted. Special luncheon sessions will include a forward-looking session on 'Communications: Emerging Technologies' led by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia with leading experts on AI and digital infrastructure. The conclave

Efficient administration: GST Appellate Tribunal needs close monitoring

The launch of the GST Appellate Tribunal marks a key reform in India's tax system, but its success will hinge on capacity, efficiency, and fair handling of disputes

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

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says India's resilience is built on strong fundamentals, reforms and governance, urging banks to maintain robust balance sheets and consumer trust

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

Delhi CM to transfer Ladli scheme honorarium to 40k beneficiaries on Oct 1

The Delhi government will credit honorarium to nearly 40,000 beneficiaries under its Ladli scheme on October 1, an official said on Tuesday. The move is part of the ongoing Seva Pakhwada (service fortnight) to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 75th birthday. "The transfers will be made in a single click at an event to be held at Talkatora Stadium, where Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are expected to participate," the official said. Earlier this year, the Women and Child Development department initiated a district-wise drive to identify Ladli Yojana beneficiaries who have not claimed their entitled payments. Many children change districts for schooling but do not renew their registration under the scheme, often due to a lack of awareness. Others discontinue their education midway, further complicating the renewal process, according to the department. "To address this, officials overseeing the scheme in Delhi's 11 districts were ...

'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

GST rate cuts impact Centre and states equally, says FM Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday made it clear that the Centre was not considering any compensation to states for potential revenue loss arising from the latest Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts, stressing that the impact will be shared equally and given the devolution of taxes, while the Centre's share will be even smaller. The opposition was putting pressure on the BJP-led central government, seeking compensation of potential revenue loss from GST rationalisation. Speaking at a BJP-organised discussion on GST in Kolkata, Sitharaman said that during the GST Council meeting, several states, particularly those governed by opposition parties, raised concerns over the proposal to reduce rates, and asked what would happen if they led to revenue losses and how that gap could be filled. Sitharaman said that in response, she had explained that there is "no donor-donee relationship" within the GST Council. "If GST is divided 50/50 between the Centre and the states

Govt has met industry needs, now India Inc must expand: Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has delivered reforms, urges companies to invest, expand production, and partner in skilling youth for India's growth

Prices of premium TV sets to go down 8%: Sony India MD Sunil Nayyar

Festival season demand to grow by 10% and TV prices come down by 7.8%

₹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

GST reforms infused ₹2 trillion in Indian economy: Nirmala Sitharaman

The finance minister also said the GST revenues grew to ₹22.08 trillion in 2025 from when it was introduced

India must invest in sovereign data infra, AI skilling for a new economy

NITI Aayog projects AI could add up to $1 trillion to India's GDP by 2035, but success depends on sovereign infrastructure, skilling, and responsible adoption

Amitabh Kant on IndiGo board; PM Modi in MP; I-T surveys Marico Group & more

Marking his 75th birthday in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, PM Modi said Indian soldiers humbled Pakistan “in a blink” and asserted that India is unafraid of nuclear threats.

In AI world, regulation must keep pace with tech: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

FM Nirmala Sitharaman urged soft-touch AI regulation to foster innovation while ensuring responsible use, as Niti Aayog projected AI could add $600 billion to GDP by 2035

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

Insurance Amendment Bill likely in Winter session, says FM Sitharaman

Insurance Amendment Bill, which proposes 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector, is likely to be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming Winter session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. The winter session of Parliament generally commences in the second half of November and concludes before Christmas. "I hope to", she told PTI when asked if the bill to further liberalise FDI in the insurance sector can be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming Winter session. The finance minister, in this year's Budget speech, proposed to raise the foreign investment limit to 100 per cent from the existing 74 per cent in the insurance sector as part of new-generation financial sector reforms. "This enhanced limit will be available for those companies which invest the entire premium in India. The current guardrails and conditionalities associated with foreign investment will be reviewed and simplified," she had said. So far, the insurance sector has attracted Rs 82,000 crore throug