Union Finance Minister said on Friday that it was hard as of now to gauge the extent of the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic to the Indian economy

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday held a review meeting with CEOs of public sector banks (PSBs) and asked them to implement the mega 'Aatmanirbhar' relief package to revive the COVID-hit economy.  

FM Sitharaman in a presser responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism on government's policy towards helping migrants saying that it would have been better for the Congress leader to ask his party-ruled states to arrange for more trains for migrants with more facilities to help them.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said a new "coherent" public sector enterprises policy will be formulated that will define strategic sectors which will have not more than four PSUs. Sitharaman said all sectors are open to the private sector while public sector enterprises will play an important role in defined areas. Accordingly, the government will announce a new policy.

Addressing a press conference, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced decriminalisation of Companies Act violations involving minor technical and procedural defaults, majority of compoundable offences sections to be shifted to internal adjudication mechanism.

Announcing the fifth and final tranche of government's Rs 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that the government has allocated additional Rs 40,000 crore over and above Rs 61,000 crore budgeted for MGNREGA to generate more jobs.

Public Health Labs to be set up at block levels, FM Sitharaman makes the big announcement

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced measures taken by the government to boost economic activity in 7 sectors amid COVID-19 outbreak situation in the country.

Announcing the fifth and last tranche of the Rs 20-lakh crore Covid-19 packages as part of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan”, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Swayam Prabha DTH channels launched to support and reach those who do not have access to the internet.

The government is fast-tracking industrial reforms and increased role of the private sector in coal, minerals, defence, power, aviation and space sectors is aimed at overall efficiency enhancement, experts said.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Arvind Singh on Saturday said efficient utilisation of airspace will help reduce travel time, fuel expense and air ticket costs.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced significant structural reforms in eight sectors of the economy — coal, minerals, defense production, aviation, power distribution in Union territories, space and atomic energy

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said crucial sectors such as coal production and exploration, defence production and space would see an increased participation from private entities

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Saturday that power departments and utilities in all the centrally-administered territories would be privatised

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State (Finance) Anurag Thakur announced an increase in FDi in defence production from 49 to 74 per cent. However, Nirmala Sitharaman batted for Make In India in order to make the country self-reliant in defence sector.

In a major structural reform with potentially far-reaching implications, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the opening up of the space exploration sector for private players

Among some big measures announced by the finance minister, was the decision to auction 6 more airports view a view to develop them on PPP (Public-Private Partnership) basis.

On Friday, Sitharaman announced a mix of financial, legislative and reform measures aimed largely at the agricultural sector. Sitharaman said that a central law will be formulated to provide ample choice to farmers to sell crops at an attractive price. The law will also enable barrier-free interstate trade and framework for the e-trading of agricultural produce.

Nirmala Sitharaman announced Rs 15,000 crore Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund. The fund has been announced with an aim to support private investment in dairy processing,  value addition and cattle feed infrastructure. 

In a major announcement, the government today extended Operation Green from tomatoes, onions, and potatoes (TOP) to all fruits and vegetables (TOTAL).