GST reform push: Centre proposes GST exemption on life and health insurance; GoM to submit report by October

The Centre has proposed exempting individual life and health insurance policies from GST, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and convenor of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on insurance Samrat Choudhary said on Wednesday. At present, insurance premiums attract 18% GST.“The Centre’s proposal is clear that the individual insurance policies should be exempt from GST. This has […]

GST reform plan: PM Modi seeks states’ backing on draft proposal, promises double Diwali bonus for people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre has circulated the draft of the next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms among states and urged their cooperation to implement the proposal before Diwali.He said the reforms in GST would “benefit poor and middle-class people, as well as small and big businesses.” Addressing an event […]

GST reform: Industry hails PM Modi’s slab cut plan; experts see relief for MSMEs and consumers

India’s business community has warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to overhaul the Goods and Services Tax (GST), describing it as a crucial step towards boosting demand, cutting compliance burdens and supporting growth.In his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, PM Modi said the government will simplify the GST framework by reducing the […]

Donald Trump tariffs: Amitabh Kant describes hike as a ‘once in a generation’ reform opportunity; urges to ‘fully utilise’ crisis

File photo: Ex-Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant (Picture credit: PTI) Former G20 Sherpa and ex-Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has called the steep hike in US tariffs on Indian goods a “once in a generation opportunity” for India to push forward with long-pending economic reforms.Reacting to US President Donald Trump’s decision to double duties on […]

RPT rules reform: Sebi proposes turnover-linked thresholds for related party deal approvals; move aims to ease compliance for large firms

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has proposed a new threshold-based framework to determine the materiality of related party transactions (RPTs), aligning the compliance burden with the turnover scale of listed entities.According to a consultation paper released on Monday, Sebi suggested that for companies with an annual consolidated turnover up to Rs 20,000 […]

Banking reform push: Government weighs 5-day week; denies delay due to manpower shortage

The Indian Banks’ Association’s proposal for a five-day work week in banks, declaring all Saturdays as holidays, is under government consideration. While the finance ministry acknowledges the proposal, it clarifies that implementation is pending, denying staff shortages as a hindrance. The decision, driven by calls for improved work-life balance, awaits further consultations and final approval. […]

Economy

Strong structural reform push, gaining investor confidence must for AP to achieve Swarna Andhra Pradesh Vision 2047: Taskforce

The Swarna Andhra Pradesh 2047 Vision, launched by N Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA Government, envisions Andhra Pradesh as a $2.4-trillion economy by 2047  | Photo Credit: RAO GN A strong structural reform push, winning investor confidence on the continuity of policies despite political changes and fiscal prudence are the need of the hour for Andhra Pradesh to […]

RBI reform plan for derivatives: Central bank proposes new norms for novation of OTC derivative contracts, draft guidelines seek to streamline market operations

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday released draft directions to regulate the novation of over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts, aiming to streamline and rationalise the regulatory requirements for such transactions.Novation, under the draft guidelines titled Reserve Bank of India (Novation of OTC Derivative Contracts) Directions, 2025, refers to replacing an existing market maker in […]