Page 108 - Latest Updates on Nirmala Sitharaman
Budget 2020: Stainless steel sector seeks zero duty on ferro-nickel, scrap
Removal of duty on ferro-nickel and stainless steel scrap is a long standing demand and the Ministry of Steel has also at times batted for zero duty on these items.
 "Budget 2020: Stainless steel sector seeks zero duty on ferro-nickel, scrap")
An agenda for Dr Patra
I am sure Dr Patra will get the fullest cooperation from the finance minister, who needs workhorses, not prima donnas constantly looking to improve their CVs
 "An agenda for Dr Patra")
A lesson to learn: Economic problems can have counter-intuitive solutions
From drug price ceiling to additional duties on steel imports and export ban to counter onion shortage - govt response to several problems shows the lessons may not have been learnt, writes T N Ninan
FinMin revises target for GST collection in FY20; aims mop-up at Rs 1.5 trn
The government aims to collect Rs 10,000 crore more than what was targeted earlier at a time when all months till December in FY20 yielded less than Rs 1.1 trillion, except for April
 "FinMin revises target for GST collection in FY20; aims mop-up at Rs 1.5 trn")
Budget 2020: 15% tax for new units likely to stay for 2 more years
Invest India demands accommodating companies set up a few months earlier
 "Budget 2020: 15% tax for new units likely to stay for 2 more years")
Infrastructure, energy firms wait for NIP fine print to firm up capex plan
The roadmap, companies like JSW Energy and Adani Transport say, helps them decidedly lay down their own multi-year investment plans
 "Infrastructure, energy firms wait for NIP fine print to firm up capex plan")
Pharma chemical from China and Saudi Arabia faces anti-dumping duty
The company has filed an application before the directorate for investigation into the imports from these countries for imposing anti-dumping duty
 "Pharma chemical from China and Saudi Arabia faces anti-dumping duty")
Finance ministry exempts mutual funds from foreign-investor status
Govt has modified circular that classified MFs as investment vehicles
 "Finance ministry exempts mutual funds from foreign-investor status")
Budget and the building blocks of growth
The government has been quick to respond to the slowdown
 "Budget and the building blocks of growth")
Centre likely to impose 25% safeguard duty on single-mode optical fibre
Imports in the category jumped three times to $ 180 million in 2018-19, from only $51.3 million in the preceding year
 "Centre likely to impose 25% safeguard duty on single-mode optical fibre")
We will not miss the bus again, next wave of reforms soon: FM Sitharaman
It can be noted that many analysts have been calling for urgent reforms in the factor markets, especially regarding land and labour, to get the economy out of the trough
 "We will not miss the bus again, next wave of reforms soon: FM Sitharaman")
Relief for realty: Govt sets up Rs 25k-cr fund to revive stalled projects
In other decisions, Cabinet has approved pacts signed with German agency DGUV; pact with Guinea on renewable energy; and signing revised DTAC with Brazil
 "Relief for realty: Govt sets up Rs 25k-cr fund to revive stalled projects")
Banks unanimous in seeking one-time loan restructuring for realtors
State Bank chairman Rajnish Kumar said if there is scope for restructuring, then one should do it
 "Banks unanimous in seeking one-time loan restructuring for realtors")
Budget wishlist: Steel industry expects relief from taxes, logistic costs
Hopes are running high in the aluminium industry that the finance minister will finally end the inverted duty regime
 "Budget wishlist: Steel industry expects relief from taxes, logistic costs")
Share buybacks losing lustre as 20% tax bites; firms await relief in Budget
Experts blame the change in tax dynamics for the sharp drop in buybacks
 "Share buybacks losing lustre as 20% tax bites; firms await relief in Budget")
Will mkt open for a Saturday Budget? Stock exchanges are awaiting Sebi nod
In the last such instance in 2015, the stock markets were kept open for regular trading hours - which is from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
 "Will mkt open for a Saturday Budget? Stock exchanges are awaiting Sebi nod")
Budget 2020: FY21 fiscal deficit likely to be around 3.5% of GDP
In the pre-Budget meetings, economists and experts have been advising Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to leave aside fiscal concerns
 "Budget 2020: FY21 fiscal deficit likely to be around 3.5% of GDP")
Quo vadis, Modi 2.0?
Some of the criticism is sheer hyperbole, calling the present turmoil India's second struggle for Independence
 "Quo vadis, Modi 2.0?")
Moral hazard
Instead of immunity, India needs simpler tax laws
 "Moral hazard")
Commerce Ministry seeks cut in gold import duty in Budget to push export
In the last Budget, the government has increased the import duty on the yellow metal to 12.5%
 "Commerce Ministry seeks cut in gold import duty in Budget to push export")
