India Overhauls Tax System to End ‘Tax Terrorism’; Customs Reforms Next, Says Sitharaman
New Delhi | December 6, 2025 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has highlighted the government’s efforts to eliminate what many referred to as “tax terrorism” in India and revealed that the next focus will be on simplifying customs processes. Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025, she explained how reforms in the income tax system have made compliance easier, transparent, and less intimidating for taxpayers. Sitharaman emphasized that the problem was not high tax rates but the complexity and unpredictability of the tax administration. Earlier, cumbersome procedures and direct interactions with tax authorities often created stress for honest taxpayers, leading to the perception...
Railways Ministry Celebrates 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’ with Nationwide Events
New Delhi, November 7The Ministry of Railways celebrated the 150th anniversary of India’s national song, Vande Mataram, with events across the country on Friday. The main ceremony took place at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi, led by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and senior Railway Board officials.The celebration began with a collective singing of Vande Mataram, which was held simultaneously across all railway zones and divisions. The event was connected live with the Ministry of Culture’s central commemoration. After the rendition, participants listened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address marking the historic occasion.Minister Vaishnaw, speaking at the central event, described Vande Mataram as a timeless symbol of India’s...
Indian Railways Manages Festive Rush with 1.6 Crore Passengers on Special Trains
Over 1.6 crore passengers have travelled through special trains arranged by Indian Railways during the festive season, with a similar number expected to return after Chhath Puja. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said more than 12,000 special trains were added to handle the rush, supported by holding areas, CCTV monitoring, and better passenger flow systems. Travellers across India praised the Railways for improved cleanliness, efficiency, and comfort. The ministry’s well-planned measures ensured smooth, safe, and reliable journeys, reflecting the dedication of railway staff in managing one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Cabinet Clears 3% Hike in Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employees, Pensioners
New Delhi | October 1, 2025The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a 3 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners. The decision, aimed at offsetting the impact of rising prices, will come into effect from October 1, 2025, according to an official release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).With this revision, the DA and DR will now stand at 58 per cent of basic pay and pension, up from the current level of 55 per cent. The hike will directly benefit 49.19 lakh serving employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners, making the total number of beneficiaries close to 117.91 lakh individuals.Financial Impact on ExchequerThe...
रेलवे कर्मचारियों को मोदी सरकार की ओर से दिवाली पर तोहफा, मिलेगा 78 दिनों का बोनस
केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल ने दिवाली और छठ पूजा से पहले रेल कर्मचारियों को बड़ा तोहफा दिया है. प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी की अगुवाई वाली केंद्रीय कैबिनेट ने बुधवार (24 सितंबर 2025) को हुई बैठक में 10.91 लाख से अधिक रेल कर्मचारियों को 78 दिनों के बोनस के रूप में 1865.68 करोड़ रुपये के भुगतान को मंजूरी दी. सरकार ने कहा है कि रेलवे...
Centre Revises GST Rates: 40% Tax on Tobacco, Cold Drinks, Aircraft, and Luxury Goods
New Delhi, Sept 22, 2025The central government on Monday unveiled a major overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, introducing sweeping changes that include higher taxes on certain “sin” and luxury goods, while reducing rates on a large number of essential items.Under the revised GST structure, the government has simplified tax slabs, cutting them from four – 5 percent, 12 percent, 18 percent, and 28 percent – to just two: 5 percent and 18 percent. This streamlining aims to make compliance easier for businesses and provide greater clarity for consumers.In addition to the standard GST slabs, a separate 40 percent tax has been imposed on sin and luxury goods. Sin goods, which are considered harmful to health, now...
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