Nirmala Sitharaman Archives

11 Aug

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Travels to Jaipur via Vande Bharat Express for BRICS Meeting

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaBRICS meeting, Jaipur journey, Nirmala Sitharaman, Vande Bharat, youth outreach

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Passengers aboard the Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi to Jaipur experienced a pleasant surprise when Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman joined them on their journey. The Finance Minister boarded the high-speed train to travel to Jaipur, where she is scheduled to represent India at the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting. Her presence created a flurry of excitement among commuters as she actively engaged with fellow travellers throughout the trip. The train journey formed part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Gen Z outreach initiative, designed to foster direct dialogue between top government leadership…

06 Aug

Lok Sabha Passes Bill Amending Payment Systems Act to Allow Service Charges on Digital Transactions

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaLok Sabha, MDR levy, Nirmala Sitharaman, Payment Systems Act, UPI charges

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing crucial amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The statutory change authorises the Union government to permit commercial banks and payment service providers to levy service charges, including Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), on digital payments executed via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other notified electronic payment methods. Moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the legislation was passed by voice vote following a brief adjournment. The amendment directly alters Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007,…

11 Feb

Sitharaman Defends Union Budget 2026-27, Announces Medical Hubs and Support for Labour-Intensive Sectors

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndialabour-intensive sectors, Lok Sabha, medical hubs, Nirmala Sitharaman, textile parks, Union Budget 2026-27

New Delhi, Feb. 11 — Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday addressed the Lok Sabha, outlining key priorities of the Union Budget 2026-27 and emphasizing employment generation through sector-focused investments. Responding to discussions on the Budget, Sitharaman said the government plans to establish medical hubs across several states, a move aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure while creating substantial job opportunities. She noted that the initiative would not only improve access to quality medical services but also boost local economies through allied industries and services. Highlighting the government’s employment strategy, the Finance Minister said special attention would be given to…

01 Feb

Union Budget 2026: India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 Launched with Rs 40,000 Crore Boost

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaIndia Semiconductor Mission 2.0, ISM 2.0, Nirmala Sitharaman, semiconductor sector, Union Budget 2026

New Delhi, February 1, 2026: In a major step to strengthen India’s semiconductor sector, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the launch of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 with an allocation of Rs 40,000 crore while presenting the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament. The second phase of the mission aims to expand capabilities across the semiconductor value chain, including manufacturing equipment and materials, developing homegrown intellectual property, and reinforcing domestic supply chains. Sitharaman said the initiative would also support industry-led research and training centres to develop advanced technology and prepare a skilled workforce. Highlighting the success of earlier…

01 Feb

Budget 2026: Rs 10,000-Crore ‘Bio Pharma Shakti’ Scheme Announced to Boost Biopharma Industry

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, Health, IndiaBio Pharma Shakti scheme, biopharma industry, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Budget 2026

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a major policy push for India’s biopharmaceutical sector, unveiling the ‘Bio Pharma Shakti’ programme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for the next five years, while presenting the Union Budget in Parliament. The initiative is aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for biopharma products and biosimilars, strengthening domestic manufacturing, innovation, and global competitiveness. Sitharaman said the programme aligns with the government’s broader vision of building self-reliance in high-end healthcare and life sciences. In addition to the biopharma push, the Finance Minister proposed measures to expand manufacturing capacity in strategic…

01 Feb

Watch Live! Union Budget Presented in Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaBudget Speech, Finance Minister, Lok Sabha, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Budget

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha today, laying out the government’s roadmap for economic growth, fiscal management, and development priorities for the coming financial year. The budget addresses key areas including public welfare, infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and policy reforms. The annual budget presentation is a crucial parliamentary event, as it outlines proposed government expenditure, revenue measures, and strategic initiatives that shape the nation’s economic direction. Members of Parliament and stakeholders across sectors are keenly observing the proceedings for major announcements and policy signals. The budget presentation and related parliamentary…

01 Feb

Union Budget 2026 to Be Tabled Today as Government Eyes Growth and Fiscal Balance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaEconomic Survey, fiscal deficit target, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Budget 2026

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, becoming only the second finance minister in India’s history to deliver the budget on a Sunday. The last such instance was in 1999, when Yashwant Sinha presented the budget under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. The presentation also marks Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The budget is being unveiled amid a relatively strong economic outlook. The Economic Survey 2026, presented in Parliament on Thursday, has projected India’s economy to grow by 7.4 per…

05 Dec

Lok Sabha Approves New Cess on Demerit Goods to Boost Health and Defence Funding

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiadefence budget India, Health Security National Security Cess, Lok Sabha, Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, December 5, 2025: The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, clearing the way for additional revenue from products such as pan masala to support India’s defence and public health requirements. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while replying to the debate in the House, said the cess is essential for meeting modern defence needs and for strengthening state-level health systems.She said that public health is a state responsibility while national defence is handled by the Centre, making it necessary to create dependable sources of funding. She emphasised that items categorised as demerit…

29 Oct

Sitharaman, EU Trade Committee Discuss Boosting India-EU Economic Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaEuropean Parliament, India-EU trade, INTA Committee, Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, October 29, 2025: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met members of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade Affairs (INTA) in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss strengthening trade and investment relations between India and the European Union.The discussions aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation and identifying new avenues for mutual economic growth. According to the Ministry of Finance, both sides explored ways to expand trade partnerships and promote investment flows that support long-term economic resilience.“Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met the Committee on International Trade Affairs #INTA from the European Parliament…

09 Oct

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Seeks Centre’s Approval for ₹17,075 Crore Urban, Water, and Energy Projects

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaNirmala Sitharaman, Pushkar Singh Dhami, urban infrastructure, Uttarakhand

New Delhi, October 9, 2025: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss key projects aimed at upgrading urban infrastructure, water resources, and energy systems across the state.Dhami highlighted the growing pressure on urban areas and emphasized the urgent need to modernize drainage systems in districts prone to heavy rainfall. He informed the Finance Minister that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth ₹8,589.47 crore have been prepared for stormwater drainage improvements in ten districts and requested approval under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment to States.The Chief Minister also…