Page 7 - Latest Updates on Nirmala Sitharaman
Govt to kick off FY26 Budget making exercise from 2nd week of next month
Pre-budget meeting shall commence from second week of October, 2024 and shall continue till around mid-November, 2024, it said
 "Govt to kick off FY26 Budget making exercise from 2nd week of next month")
FM reviews housing and urban affairs ministry capex with focus on PMAY
A key focus of the discussions during the meeting was the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) scheme, which plays a crucial role in providing affordable housing
 "FM reviews housing and urban affairs ministry capex with focus on PMAY")
Banks to play key role in making India developed nation: FM Sitharaman
She said that banks cannot have a digital system that gets hacked somewhere, compromising the entire system and the trust placed in it
 "Banks to play key role in making India developed nation: FM Sitharaman")
Banks to play major role in making India developed by 2047: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman noted that technology is changing the banking landscape as it provides a secure and easy-to-navigate digital banking experience to all customers
 "Banks to play major role in making India developed by 2047: FM Sitharaman")
India's economic growth stands out globally, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
The scheme is an extension of the already existing NPS to children. In the last 10 years, NPS has gained 1.86 crore subscribers, with Assets Under Management (AUM) of Rs 13 trillion
 "India's economic growth stands out globally, says FM Nirmala Sitharaman")
Sitharaman launches NPS Vatsalya, parents can open pension a/c for children
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday launched the NPS Vatsalya scheme, which will allow parents to save for their children's future by investing in a pension account.
 "Sitharaman launches NPS Vatsalya, parents can open pension a/c for children")
FM reviews Railway Ministry's capex plan, asks to expedite 'Kavach' system
MoR officials informed the Minister that Kavach-related works are currently in progress in over 3000RKm (route km) on the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai sections
 "FM reviews Railway Ministry's capex plan, asks to expedite 'Kavach' system")
No tax rate reductions for old regime, clarifies Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government is not compelling anyone to switch from the old to the new tax regime
 "No tax rate reductions for old regime, clarifies Nirmala Sitharaman")
Facts need to be taken on board: FM Nirmala Sitharaman on Buch row
FM said that Buch, along with her husband, had answered quite a few of the allegations levelled against her by the Congress party and have put forth the facts
 "Facts need to be taken on board: FM Nirmala Sitharaman on Buch row")
FM Nirmala Sitharaman to launch NPS-Vatsalya scheme on September 18
NPS-Vatsalya scheme is designed as a variant of the existing National Pension System (NPS), specifically tailored for younger individuals
Tamil Nadu restaurant saga: Ambiguity over GST food rates in spotlight
The GST rates on goods are based on the harmonised system of nomenclature (HSN) codes
 "Tamil Nadu restaurant saga: Ambiguity over GST food rates in spotlight")
MoS Finance likely to be convenor of GoM on GST compensation cess
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last week said the loan and interest are expected to be repaid as early as December 2025 or January 2026
 "MoS Finance likely to be convenor of GoM on GST compensation cess")
Rahul slams govt over video of restaurant chain owner 'apologising' to FM
In a post on X, Gandhi said when owner of a small business, like Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore, asks for a simplified GST regime, his request is met with 'arrogance and outright disrespect'
 "Rahul slams govt over video of restaurant chain owner 'apologising' to FM")
54th GST Council meet: New GoM to look into rate on life, health insurance
The issue of taxation of insurance premiums had figured in Parliament discussions with Opposition members demanding that health and life insurance premiums be exempt from the GST
 "54th GST Council meet: New GoM to look into rate on life, health insurance")
Will oppose GST on online transactions under 2000, research grants: Atishi
The council is chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprises state ministers
 "Will oppose GST on online transactions under 2000, research grants: Atishi")
GST Council set to meet today, talks on rate rationalisation to kick off
GST Council Meet: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is expected to deliberate on a host of issues on Monday, including the taxation of insurance premiums and rate rationalisation
 "GST Council set to meet today, talks on rate rationalisation to kick off")
GST Council to deliberate on taxation of insurance premium, online gaming
The deliberations will also happen with regard to the goods and services tax (GST) cut on life insurance premium
 "GST Council to deliberate on taxation of insurance premium, online gaming")
Raipur BJP MP seeks govt intervention for rollback of hike in cement prices
Brijmohan Agrawal said the sudden increase in the cement prices by Rs 50 per sack would affect infrastructure projects, including roads, buildings, bridges, schools, colleges and others
 "Raipur BJP MP seeks govt intervention for rollback of hike in cement prices")
FM Sitharaman denies 'friction' in Centre-State ties over GST reform
Simplifying and easing compliance on the tax payers received top priority rather than raising revenue during all consultative meetings on the union Budget, she said
To boost capex, FinMin relaxes norms for expenditure exceeding Rs 500 cr
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Budget proposed to raise the capital expenditure target by 11.1 per cent to record Rs 11.11 trillion for 2024-25
