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As expected and in relief for the citizens, the central government neither tweaked nor put any additional tax burden on citizens, in the interim Budget for 2024-25 tabled by Union Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>. "Keeping with the convention, I do not propose to make any changes relating to taxation and propose to retain the same tax rates for direct taxes and indirect taxes including import duties," Sitharaman said in her Budget speech on Thursday. However, certain tax benefits to start-ups and investments made by sovereign wealth or pension funds as well as tax exemption on certain income of some IFSC units are expiring in March 2024. To provide continuity in taxation, she proposed to extend the date by another year. Moreover, in line with the government's vision to improve ease of living and ease of doing business, she announced to improve tax-payer services. "There are a large number of petty, non-verified, non-reconciled or disputed direct tax demands, many of them dating as far back as the year 1962, which continue to remain on the books, causing anxiety to honest tax-payers and hindering refunds of subsequent years," she said. She proposed to withdraw such outstanding direct tax demands up to Rs 25,000 for the period up to financial year 2009-10 and up to Rs 10,000 for financial years 2010-11 to 2014-15. "This is expected to benefit about a crore tax-payers," she added. Presenting the Union Budget 2023, Sitharaman on Thursday pegged the fiscal deficit target for 2024-25 at 5.1% of gross domestic product (GDP). In 2023-24, the government pegged the fiscal deficit target for 2023-24 at 5.9% of gross domestic product (GDP). Today, Sitharaman said that the fiscal deficit of 2023-24 was downwardly revised to 5.8%. The difference between total revenue and total expenditure of the government is termed as fiscal deficit. It is an indication of the total borrowings that may be needed by the government. The government intends to bring the fiscal deficit below 4.5% of GDP by the financial year 2025-26. The government intends to bring the fiscal deficit below 4.5% of GDP by the financial year 2025-26. A capital expenditure, or capex, is used to set up long-term physical or fixed assets. Last year, which was the last full Budget under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's second term, the government proposed to increase capital expenditure outlay by 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore in 2023-24, which was estimated to be 3.3% of the GDP. With the substantial increase in capex, it is central to the government's efforts to enhance growth potential and job creation, crowd in private investments and provide a cushion against global headwinds. The interim budget, tabled today, will take care of the financial needs of the intervening period until a government is formed after the Lok Sabha polls after which a full budget will be presented by the new government in July. With this Budget Presentation, Sitharaman equalled the record set by former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who as finance minister, presented five annual budgets and one interim budget between 1959 and 1964. The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Indian economy is projected to grow close to 7% in the financial year 2024-25 which starts this April, said the Ministry of Finance in a review report. India's economy grew 7.2% in 2022-23 and 8.7% in 2021-22. The Indian economy is expected to grow 7.3% in the current financial year 2023-24, remaining the fastest-growing major economy.

FM Nirmala Sithraman keeps tax slabs unchanged

New Delhi, Mar 26 () To provide relief to farmers affected due to the lockdown, the Centre on Thursday said it will transfer in the first week of April the first installment of Rs 2,000 to each of 8.69 crore beneficiaries under the PM-KISAN scheme.Announcing the relief measures within 36 hours of nationwide lockdown, Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman said: "Farmers receive Rs 6,000 annual from PM-KISAN. We will now be giving the first installment of that as a front-loaded matter, so that at the beginning of the year they will get Rs 2,000".This will benefit immediately 8.69 crore farmers who feed 1.3 billion population, she added.Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, the Centre transfers an amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal instalments, directly into the bank accounts of the farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria relating to higher income status. LUX BALBAL

Govt to transfer Rs 2,000 under PM-KISAN scheme to 8.69 cr farmers in April 1st week

<keyword id="19895045" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Singapore" source="keywords">Singapore</keyword>: India and Singapore held the 2nd round of the <keyword id="21531849" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Singapore-Ministerial-Roundtable" source="keywords">India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable</keyword> (<keyword id="22918586" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ISMR" source="keywords">ISMR</keyword>) in Singapore on Monday and reviewed the progress of the strategic partnership between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release. The two nations decided to add two new pillars, 'Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity' for further strengthening bilateral cooperation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, Commerce and Industry Minister <keyword id="19895367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="piyush-goyal" source="keywords">Piyush Goyal</keyword> and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw represented the Indian side in Singapore. From the Singapore side, Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry and Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance participated in the meeting. "The Ministers reviewed the progress of India - Singapore Strategic Partnership, particularly under the pillars of Digitalization, Skills Development, Sustainability, Healthcare and Medicine, identified during the 1st meeting of ISMR, held in New Delhi on September 17, 2022," the statement read. They deliberated on ideas to expand bilateral cooperation and decided to add two new pillars, Advanced Manufacturing and Connectivity for further strengthening bilateral cooperation. The Ministers agreed to hold the next round of ISMR in India at a mutually convenient time. During their visit, the Indian Ministers also called on Singapore President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. "India and Singapore are important partners of each other. The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to further strengthen their multifaceted partnership," MEA added. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called the India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue an important platform for strengthening bilateral ties. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman thanked Singapore PM for meeting them and stated that talks with Lawrence Wong clearly show that ties between India and Singapore are on sound footing. <keyword id="19922551" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EAM-Jaishankar" source="keywords">EAM Jaishankar</keyword> thanked the Singapore Ministers for their commitment to deepen ties between the two nations. (ANI)

India, Singapore to focus on advanced manufacturing, connectivity to boost bilateral relations

<keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Tuesday presented the <keyword id="20387181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024-25" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024-25</keyword> after the Cabinet gave its approval. In her intial comments, Sithamraman said India's economic growth will be a shining exception. "We are determined all Indians regardless of religion and age achieve life goals and aspirations," Sitharman said. The Finance Minister presented first Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and her seventh consecutive one during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Economic Survey 2023-24 was tabled yesterday in the Parliament. Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Parliament today to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by the Finance Minister. This would mark Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget and eclipses the late Moraji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets, which is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India. Addressing the media, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary earlier said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on his mantra of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that this budget would accelerate the country's economic growth. "The economic growth that happened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this budget and this Budget will further accelerate it. The budget that will be presented today by Nirmala ji will also help our country, which is the fastest-growing economy," Pralhad Joshi said while speaking to the media on the Parliament premises on Tuesday. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. On Monday, the economic survey presented in Parliament by finance minister Sithraman emphasized the resilience of the Indian economy and its stable post-Covid recovery. The Survey underscored the government's commitment to "Nari Shakti" through various legislative measures and provisions aimed at boosting women's participation in diverse professions. According to the Economic Survey, the budget for women's welfare and empowerment schemes has surged by 218.8 per cent, growing from Rs 97,134 crore (BE) in FY14 to Rs 3.10 lakh crore in FY25. Additionally, the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) has seen a 38.7 per cent increase compared to FY24 BE, with its share in the total Union Budget rising to 6.5 per cent in FY25, the highest since GBS was introduced in FY06. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her record seventh consecutive Budget today</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank">Here's a quick overview of PM Modi 3.0 government's first budget, to be presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today</a>

"India's economic growth will be shining exception" FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2024-25

Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Parliament on Tuesday to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Parliament this morning to attend the cabinet meeting. On Monday, Prime Minister said the Economic Survey highlighted the prevailing strengths of the economy and identifies areas for further growth and progress as the government "moves towards building a Viksit Bharat". Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Pralhad Joshi were also seen arriving in the Parliament earlier for the Cabinet meeting today. At 11 am, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the <keyword id="20387181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024-25" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024-25</keyword>. Earlier today, Sitharaman met with President Droupadi Murmu before leaving for Parliament. This would mark Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget and eclipses the late Moraji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets, which is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India. Addressing the media, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary earlier said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on his mantra of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that this budget would accelerate the country's economic growth. "The economic growth that happened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this budget and this Budget will further accelerate it. The budget that will be presented today by Nirmala ji will also help our country, which is the fastest-growing economy," Pralhad Joshi said while speaking to the media on the Parliament premises on Tuesday. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. On Monday, the economic survey presented in Parliament by finance minister Sithraman stated that in the medium term, the Indian economy can grow at a rate of 7 per cent. The economic survey stated, "In the medium term, the Indian economy can grow at a rate of 7 per cent plus on a sustained basis if we build on the structural reforms undertaken over the last decade. This requires a tripartite compact between the Union Government, State Governments and the private sector. "The survey further added that India faces a unique blend of opportunities and challenges amid global trends such as geo-economic fragmentation, a push for self-reliance, looming climate change, the rise of technology, and limited policy space. (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: PM Modi arrives in Parliament ahead of Budget 2024 presentation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: Focus on employment, skilling, MSME and middle class</a>

Union Cabinet meets in Parliament ahead of Budget presentation

New Delhi, May 6 () Engineering professionals' body CEAI on Wednesday sought government intervention to declare COVID-19 as force majeure event for all infrastructure consultancy contracts as consulting firms are not able to meet contractual performance in ongoing projects.'Force Majeure' clause is a contractual provision that addresses circumstances in which contractual performance becomes impossible or impractical due to events that could not be foreseen, and are not within party's control."The Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), in a letter to the Union Minister of Finance Ms Nirmala Sithraman has urged the government to declare COVID -19 as a Force Majeure event for all infrastructure consultancy contracts under implementation as both Parties, neither the Client nor the consulting companies are able to meet contractual performance in ongoing projects," CEAI said in a statement.The total lockdown, though was inevitable, has major implications on companies, particularly the consulting companies, which have a small capital base, said KK Kapila, former president CEAI and Chairman of Infrastructure Committee."In present lockdown conditions, it will be difficult for these consulting companies to meet contractual performance for Consultancy Contracts under implementation or under service including preparation of Feasibility Report and Detailed Project Report (DPR), Detailed Engineering, Project Management by an Authority Engineer," Kapila said.The running contracts expiring during the lockdown period should be given an automatic extension of time and there should be a waiver for submission or extension of bank guarantees as provided for in the contracts, during this lock down period, he said.CEAI lso demanded that the government release 90 per cent payments of the already submitted invoice amount by the consulting firms, as per valid payment clause in the contract, prior to scrutiny of invoice by the department staff.The balance payment may be released after the due process. This will enable consultants to pay to their staff and to the support organizations that work for them as well as to large number of informal persons whose services are availed from time to time, it said.Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI) also urged the government to provide clear directives to the insurance companies to cover "home office inputs" under the definition of workplace to ensure availability of professional indemnity insurance coverage to the staff of consulting organisation's who operate from home. NAM BAL

CEAI urges govt to declare COVID-19 as force majeure event for infra consultancy contracts

New Delhi, Dec 17 () A day before the GST Council meeting, farmers' body FAIFA on Tuesday asked the government to have a taxation policy that disincentivises cigarette smuggling in India. 
 The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), which claims to represent farmers of commercial crops from various states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Gujarat, said there has been an increase in smuggled, illicit and contraband cigarettes due to higher taxation on the legal cigarette industry. 
 As a result, tobacco farmers have been adversely affected, the body said in a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman, and asked the government to save livelihoods of such tobacco farmers. "FCV tobacco farmer is on verge of losing his one and only livelihood due to increase in input costs and drastic decrease in income which is caused by illicit cigarette trade in India," FAIFA president Javare Gowda said in a statement.
 He further said, "We would like to appeal to government to have a taxation policy that disincentivises cigarette smuggling in India, which will help curb illicit trade and increase the demand of domestic Indian grown tobacco."
 FAIFA's demand comes a day ahead of the meeting of the GST Council, the highest decision making body of the indirect tax regime, here on Wednesday.
 The tobacco farmers' body claimed that there has been over 40 per cent reduction in FCV (Flue-Cured Virginia) tobacco cultivation, resulting in loss of more than Rs 5,000 crore to farming community in the last six years.
 Moreover, the government revenue loss is in excess of Rs 13,000 crore on account of illicit cigarette trade, it claimed.
 Due to higher taxation, smuggled, illicit and contraband cigarettes, FCV tobacco production of 325 million kgs in 2013-14 came down to 210 million kgs in 2019-20, it added.
 On the other hand, the entire legal cigarette value chain is presently reeling under penal taxation on account of continuous increases in excise duties and compensation cess on cigarettes, which have cumulatively gone up by over 200 per cent from 2011-12, FAIFA claimed.
 "As a result of high taxes and growth of illegal cigarette trade, legal cigarettes have dropped by more than 25 per cent between 2011-12 and 2018-19, while illegal cigarettes have grown by 31 per cent during the same period," it said. RKL RVK

FAIFA asks govt for tax policy that disincentivises illegal cigarette trade

<keyword id="20779198" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chief-Economic-Advisor" source="keywords">Chief Economic Advisor</keyword> V Anantha Nageswaran emphasized the crucial and positive role that artificial intelligence (<keyword id="19899640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="keywords">AI</keyword>) can play for the <keyword id="22505095" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-demography" source="keywords">Indian demography</keyword> and <keyword id="20278114" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="labour-force" source="keywords">labour force</keyword> during a press conference on the <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Economic-Survey" source="keywords">Economic Survey</keyword> 2023-24. He noted that within the next decade, India is poised to become the world's third-largest economy and will benefit significantly from its demographic dividend. However, Nageswaran also acknowledged potential challenges posed by AI, particularly for India's <keyword id="20811086" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-process-outsourcing" source="keywords">Business Process Outsourcing</keyword> (BPO) sector. He stated, "The short-term challenge of generative AI could slow <keyword id="22505093" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BPO-sector-growth" source="keywords">BPO sector growth</keyword>, affecting <keyword id="21300718" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="customer-services" source="keywords">customer services</keyword>. It is possible that the jobs related to BPO will be under threat whereas AI may actually turn out to be a booster." Furthermore, Nageswaran also pointed out that the emergence of AI might reduce annual <keyword id="21420133" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="productivity-growth" source="keywords">productivity growth</keyword> by approximately 0.3 percentage points in the coming years. This indicates a potential short-term dip in productivity as industries adapt to new technologies. Despite these challenges, Nageswaran added that the long-term potential of AI is promising. The broader adoption of AI could lead to significant improvements in critical areas such as healthcare and education, thereby enhancing human capital. The economic survey presented in the Parliament by finance minister Nirmala Sithraman says in the medium term Indian economy can grow at a rate of 7 per cent. The economic survey stated, "In the medium term, the Indian economy can grow at a rate of 7 per cent plus on a sustained basis if we build on the structural reforms undertaken over the last decade. This requires a tripartite compact between the Union Government, State Governments and the private sector." Achieving a sustained growth rate of over 7 per cent will require a tripartite compact between the Union Government, State Governments, and the private sector. India's financial sector is undergoing critical transformations. During FY24, primary capital markets facilitated capital formation of Rs 10.9 lakh crore, accounting for approximately 29 per cent of the gross fixed capital formation of private and public corporates in FY23. It further adds India faces a unique blend of opportunities and challenges amid global trends such as geo-economic fragmentation, a push for self-reliance, looming climate change, the rise of technology, and limited policy space. (ANI)

AI could slow BPO sector growth: Chief Economic Advisor Nageshwaran

New Delhi, Feb 20 () Tobacco farmers' body FAIFA on Thursday said the hike in taxes on cigarettes announced in the Budget 2020-21 will only increase the smuggled cigarette trade which, in turn, will affect livelihoods of millions of tobacco growers and farm workers. The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) said it had also appealed to Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman to have a "pragmatic approach" on cigarette taxation at a meeting on Wednesday evening. The hike in national calamity contingent duty (NCCD) on cigarettes proposed in the Budget is a major setback to the FCV tobacco farmers who have been fighting torrential and unseasonal rainfall this year in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, FAIFA said in a statement. "Indiscriminate increase of excise duty on cigarettes will result in reduction in legal cigarette production and this will reduce the tobacco purchases of domestic manufacturers, impacting market prices for farmers thereby putting more pressure on farmer's earnings and causing further stress," it said. Commenting on the hike in NCCD on cigarettes, FAIFA President Javare Gowda said, "This tax increase will provide a further boost to the smuggled cigarette trade and (lead to) decline in domestic demand, resulting in weak demand in the ensuing auctions." He further said the hike in NCCD was unexpected as several representations were made to the government to make it aware of the current situation of tobacco farmers and the ground-level realities of the struggles and losses that are being faced by them due to crop damage and also smuggled and illegal cigarette markets. In the Budget, Sitharaman had announced increasing NCCD on cigarettes, ranging from Rs 200-Rs 735 per thousand sticks, depending upon length of cigarette and on filter and non-filter basis. It was increased to 60 per cent from 45 per cent on smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes, while on other forms of smoking tobacco (other than smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes) and forms of chewing tobacco, it was increased to 25 per cent from 10 per cent. Gowda claimed that due to higher taxation, smuggled, illicit and contraband cigarettes along with WHO regulations, FCV production has come down to 210 million kg in 2019-20 from 325 million kg in 2013-14. It has resulted in "loss of more than Rs 5,000 crore (cumulative) to the FCV Tobacco Farming community", he added. In contrast, he said the market for illicit cigarettes is rising and has doubled from a level of 12.5 billion sticks in 2005 to 26.5 billion sticks in 2018 making India the fourth-largest and fastest-growing illegal cigarette market in the world. "Based on the current tax rates on cigarettes, it is estimated that the government loses Rs 13,000 crore in tax revenues per annum on account of illegal cigarette trade," Gowda claimed. RKL HRS

Tobacco farmers' body urges govt for 'pragmatic' approach on cigarette taxation

Union Finance Minister Nirmala <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> on Friday urged officers of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (<keyword id="19908147" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CBIC" source="keywords">CBIC</keyword>) to proactively address <keyword id="20283921" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="doubts" source="keywords">doubts</keyword> and concerns raised by the public and business community regarding taxes before they escalate into grievances. Speaking at the inauguration of the new <keyword id="22890667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-Bhawan" source="keywords">GST Bhawan</keyword> in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Sitharaman emphasized the importance of a preventive approach in handling tax-related issues. She highlighted that government officials should prioritize solving problems at the stage where they are mere doubts, rather than allowing them to develop into full-blown grievances. "Before addressing a grievance, if we spend time through outreach to clear the doubts and suspicions in their minds, those doubts won't escalate into grievances" said Finance Minister Sitharaman. Sitharaman also highlighted the significance of effective information sharing in this process. She suggested that by engaging in sector-wise outreach and addressing any doubts that arise, officials could prevent potential issues from turning into grievances. "I request that before grievances arise, we should definitely carry out outreach sector by sector. If there are any doubts in their minds after this and some changes need to be made accordingly, we can make those changes as well. So, more than anything else, we need to focus on information sharing" added Sithraman. The Finance Minister's remarks emphasized a shift towards a more communicative and responsive approach in tax administration, aiming to foster better relationships between the government and the business community while minimizing conflicts and misunderstandings. Union Minister Sitharaman is on a two-day visit to Udaipur, On Thursday the minister chaired a meeting to review the performance of nine Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) of the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The minister asked Regional rural banks (RRBs) to ensure easy credit to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). She asked the RRBs to become more customer-friendly and leverage their local connections to further improve performance. "All RRBs have devised customised MSME products aligning with cluster activities. However, they need to regularly review their credit portfolio in that segment", she said. She also highlighted that Sponsor Banks and RRBs must recognise the challenges that lie ahead, especially maintaining asset quality, expanding digital services, and ensuring robust corporate governance are the areas that require continued focus. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/2024-tvs-jupiter-vs-honda-activa-6g-which-110cc-scooter-should-you-buy/slidelist/112730069.cms">2024 TVS Jupiter vs Honda Activa 6G – which 110cc scooter should you buy?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/how-to/how-to-add-music-to-instagram-profile/articleshow/112732934.cms">You can now add music to your Instagram profile – here's how</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/audi-q8-facelift-launched-in-india-with-a-1-17-crore-price-tag/slidelist/112707701.cms">Audi Q8 facelift launched in India with a ₹1.17 crore price tag</a>

Sitharaman urges tax officials to prevent doubts from escalating into grievances

Mumbai, Feb 7 () Life Insurance Corporation is keen to unlock value in IDBI Bank in the run up to the insurance behemoth's IPO, which is likely to happen in FY21, its Chairman M R Kumar said on Friday. Presenting the Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman had said the government would sell a part of its 100 percent holding in LIC through an IPO in the next fiscal year. Later, Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar said the government could divest up to 10 per cent in LIC, which has an enterprise value of Rs 36 lakh crore. The government aims to garner Rs 90,000 crore from the listing of LIC and stake dilution in IDBI Bank in the next fiscal out of the total disinvestment target of Rs 2.10 lakh crore. In January 2019, LIC picked up 51 per cent stake in IDBI Bank, making it the majority shareholder of the lender. The Irdai regulations bar an insurance company from holding more than 15 per cent in any listed entity. However, Irdai has given some exemption to LIC in regard to its holding in IDBI Bank. LIC Chairman Kumar said though Irdai has not fixed any timeline for LIC to reduce its stake in IDBI Bank, the Reserve Bank has given a 12-year timeframe. "We would not want to wait that long, especially when we are also going to be listed, but we have to find some ways to unlock value in IDBI Bank," Kumar told reporters here on Friday. He said once the bank comes out of the lending restrictions imposed by the RBI under the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework and becomes profitable, the bank would be able to attract investors. "Once they come out of the PCA and start lending again, I believe that their profitability will go up substantially and also attract investors," he said. IDBI Bank, which is under PCA framework since May 2017, had met RBI in January to seek lifting of the operational restrictions, had earlier reported. The lender had made a presentation to the RBI on its improved financial position. The government holds 47.11 per cent stake in IDBI Bank, while 51 percent is with LIC. This leaves practically nothing for investors, as its floating shares are only 3 per cent of the paid-up equity. Sitharaman had said the government would want to tap the retail investor segment to sell its stake completely. Kumar said the stake sale by the government in IDBI Bank will help bring in more retail investors. "Once the stake sale happens, people will show more interest in the scrip, because as of now with 51 per cent with us and over 47 (per cent) with the government, there is hardly any free float to give value to shareholders," Kumar said. When asked about the IPO's timing, Kumar refused to give any timeline. "Yes, the finance secretary was on record saying listing will happen in the H2 of FY21. We have to work it out. I don't know how long it takes for the very simple reason that we are doing for the first time," he said. Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar had on Sunday said the LIC IPO may be done in the second half of FY21. The LIC chairman said the listing would need some legislative changes in the LIC Act. "Basic amendment to the LIC Act would be required," he said. Explaining further, the corporation's appointed actuary Dinesh Pant said, "LIC (Act) has got a Section 24 where the entire fund of the corporation is a controlled fund which is under one fund. So how will be now be bifurcated. There is Section 28 about dividend distribution and so all those things have to be taken care of." He also said it needs to be seen how Section 37,which talks about the sovereign guarantee, is amended. Spelling out the priorities in the run up to listing, he said the focus would be on creating right perception in the market and to work on the process of valuation. He also said the policyholders and employees will not have any impact due to the listing. Earlier this week, nearly 1 lakh employees of the corporation staged an hour-long walkout against the IPO plans. HV BEN ABMABM

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