Sitharaman

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Arun Jaitley, as finance minister last year, had cut the corporate income tax rate to 25 per cent for companies with a turnover of up to Rs 250 crore

She said many sovereign funds are interested in the real estate sector of the country and want to work with the government.

The government's intention is to have a stable environment, she said

The FM said it was her experience as the commerce and defence minister in the previous term of the Modi government, and now as the finance minister, that women do not come forward to stake claim

The panel, headed by central board of direct taxes (CBDT) member Akhilesh Ranjan, also recommended 25 per cent corporation tax rate for companies, but without surcharges and cess

The representatives of the infrastructure sector expressed their issues and concern to the finance minister during the meeting

Entrepreneurship thrives only when there are opportunities, an environment without fear (as long as you are operating within the boundaries of law), and availability of finance

Sitharaman will soon hold talks with representatives from various sectors

According to sources, the meeting will also review progress of resolution of NPAs under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

While delivering a lecture here, she termed Northeast as the gateway to the Association of South East Asian Nations

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman celebrated Diwali today with military personnel at the strategically important tri-services command on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Sitharaman, who arrived at the command yesterday, also reviewed its security preparedness and other operational matters. The defence minister also paid hoomage to the Indian Air Force personnel and their families who were killed during the Tsunami in the Car Nicobar islands. She also visited a naval facility and the Coast Guard base under the Andaman and Nicobar command here. "RM @DefenceMinIndia Smt @nsitharaman celebrates Diwali with troops&their families at Tri-Services Command A&N (sic)," the defence ministry tweeted. This is her first visit to the strategically important command after assuming charge as the defence minister. On her arrival yesterday, she was accorded a joint services guard of honour. Later, she was given a comprehensive brief on the security environment and thrust areas of .