Nirmala Sitharaman

June 12, 2025 12:21 PM

Over 90 times rise in direct benefit transfer in just a decade: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

There has been more than 90 times rise in direct benefit transfer (DBT) in just a decade under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday. Moreover, India leads the world in real-time payments, with more than Rs 260 lakh crore worth of transactions processed in 2024-25, informed Sitharaman on X. “From Rs 7,368 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 6.83 lakh crore in 2024-25, there has been a 90X+ rise in DBT transfer in just a decade under Prime Mi...

June 11, 2025 12:01 PM

India’s infrastructure sees rapid progress in last decade as capex surges: FM Sitharaman

India’s infrastructure has seen rapid progress in the last decade, as capital expenditure surged from Rs 2 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 11.21 lakh crore in 2025-26 - a significant six times increase towards the 'Viksit Bharat' goal, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday. “India’s Infrastructure has seen rapid progress in the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Allocation for capital expenditure at its highest-ever at Rs 11.21 lakh crore during ...

June 9, 2025 11:15 AM

India embraces cashless revolution in last 11 years: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that India is embracing a cashless revolution with world-class digital initiatives like Unified Payments Interface (UPI). “In the last 11 years, India has seen a remarkable journey under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From making life easier for the common citizen to boosting business confidence, it's been a decade of real and visible change,” the Finance Minister said on a post on X. “India is embracing a cashless...

June 5, 2025 12:31 PM

DBT, Jan Dhan schemes revolutionised welfare delivery in India: FM Sitharaman

Several groundbreaking financial inclusion schemes by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government have revolutionised welfare delivery in India in the last 11 years, by plugging leakages and ensuring transparency, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday. Over the past decade, the NDA government has taken pathbreaking steps to uplift several people from the clutches of poverty, focussing on empowerment, infrastructure and inclusion. “Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) has revoluti...

June 3, 2025 4:10 PM

Break big smuggling syndicates, curb narcotics trade: FM Sitharaman tells DRI

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asked the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to adopt a holistic and technology-driven approach to tackle smuggling and narcotics trade amid increasingly complex geopolitical environment and security threats. In her address at the inaugural event of the DRI’s new headquarters, the Finance Minister said there was a need to go beyond surface-level enforcement and focus on uncovering deeper systemic threats. "Investigate holistically, keepin...

May 27, 2025 4:39 PM

Fintech driving growth for MSMEs and merchants, says FM Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that India’s fintech companies are playing a crucial role in expanding the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and empowering merchants as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The Finance Minister visited the office of Pine Labs, a digital fintech company based in Noida, and interacted with its employees and staff members. She acknowledged “India’s fintech firms’ contribution to expanding the country...

April 21, 2025 9:25 AM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in San Francisco for five-day US visit

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at the San Francisco International Airport on Sunday (local time) for her five-day visit to the United States, scheduled from April 20 to 25. Upon her arrival, she was received by Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador of India to the US, and Srikar Reddy Koppula, Consul General of India in San Francisco. "Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is welcomed upon her arrival during her official visit to the USA by Shri V...

April 7, 2025 3:19 PM

Nirmala Sitharaman to embark on official visit to the UK and Austria

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, is set to begin her official visit to the United Kingdom and Austria from 8th to 13th April. The India-UK Economic & Financial Dialogue, scheduled for April 9 in London, will be co-chaired by Sitharaman and the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, providing a crucial platform for high-level discussions on various financial collaboration matters between the two countries. Key topics for discussion will include investment oppor...

April 2, 2025 9:09 AM

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju to move Waqf Amendment Bill for passing in Parliament

The legislative business suggests that Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move the Waqf Amendment Bill of 2025, which aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, for passing. While, union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move that the amendments made by Rajya Sabha in the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2024, which further amends the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the State Bank of India Act, 1955, the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Tr...

March 25, 2025 10:47 PM

Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill 2025

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Finance Bill 2025, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasizing that the legislation aligns with the aspirations of the people and the government's vision of making India a developed country by 2047. The bill was passed after the House adopted amendments moved by the Finance Minister. The debate on the bill had begun on Monday. Presenting the Finance Bill, Sitharaman said the government aims to provide tax certainty, rationalize provisions for ease o...