Tag: Nirmala Sitharaman

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Creditors’ Committee Can Engage Land Authorities in Realty Insolvency

File Photo NEW DELHI: On Wednesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the committee of creditors (CoC) will now be able to invite land authorities to its meetings for discussions regarding regulatory and land-related issues under the insolvency regulations. This move aims to expedite the resolution of bankruptcy cases involving numerous real estate projects. While addressing the Rajya Sabha on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Sitharaman stated that the amendments narrow the scope of adjudication for case admissions and set stricter timelines to accelerate resolution and enhance the value of stressed assets. The Rajya Sabha has passed…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Parliament amends IBC to speed up resolution and cut backlog

NEW DELHI: On Wednesday, Parliament passed amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), aimed at expediting resolutions, decreasing case backlog, and enhancing the financial ecosystem. The Rajya Sabha approved the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, through a voice vote, having received Lok Sabha approval on March 30. During a brief discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman remarked that the IBC has positively impacted the health of the Indian banking sector and facilitated asset recovery. Sitharaman, also the Minister of Corporate Affairs, stated that the government accepted all 11 recommendations proposed by a Lok Sabha…

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Lok Sabha Approves Insolvency Law Amendments to Boost Stakeholder Value

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha has passed a bill amending the insolvency law to introduce strict timelines, an out-of-court settlement option, and a framework for cross-border insolvency processes. Presenting the bill, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which took effect in 2016, aim to maximize stakeholder value and enhance the governing process. The amendments are intended to bolster the existing insolvency framework while tackling practical challenges and integrating global best practices, which, according to the minister, have significantly improved the health of the banking sector. The Lower House…

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Finance Minister: SWAMIH Investment Fund II Launch Underway

File Photo NEW DELHI: The SWAMIH Investment Fund II was announced as part of the recent Union Budget and is set to be officially launched. Its aim is to provide assistance to distressed homebuyers with stalled investments, as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament on Monday. The 2026-27 budget introduced a new Rs 15,000 crore ‘SWAMIH Fund’ designated for completing 1 lakh units in delayed housing projects across various cities. As of January 31, 2026, the Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund has committed investments in 148 projects, according to her response in the Lok Sabha.…

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Budget 2026: REITs, Land Relief, and City Growth Boost Real Estate

File photo NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026–27 on February 1, unveiling a series of initiatives designed to enhance capital recycling, simplify tax compliance, and accelerate urban infrastructure development, benefiting the real estate and construction sectors substantially. A major highlight was the government’s plan to fast-track the monetization of central public sector enterprise (CPSE) real estate assets through specialized Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). Sitharaman noted that REITs have proven to be an effective tool for asset monetization, which would aid in recycling mature public assets, while also generating consistent revenue and unlocking funds for…

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Budget 2026: Fast-Tracking CPSE Real Estate Recycling with REITs

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Union government will enhance efforts to monetize real estate assets owned by central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) through dedicated Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) during the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, 2026. Sitharaman emphasized that market-linked instruments play a crucial role in unlocking value from public assets. She mentioned that REITs have proven to be effective for asset monetization and that the government intends to expedite the recycling of CPSE-owned real estate through these structures. The objective is to improve capital efficiency and generate ongoing revenue streams…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

₹1 Lakh-Crore Urban Fund Focuses on Redevelopment and Reform

NEW DELHI: The core of the new ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund will focus on redeveloping abandoned public buildings, repurposing unused government land such as old prisons and granaries, and engaging the private sector, while promoting municipal reforms to transform cities in India. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has developed guidelines for this Urban Challenge Fund, which was introduced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her budget speech. This fund is anticipated to be a significant central assistance initiative for urban transformation in around 300 cities, each with populations exceeding 100,000, competing for project funding. According…

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GST Council Approves Two-Tier Tax Structure Starting September 22

NEW DELHI: The GST Council has approved reductions in tax rates on commonly used items such as hair oil, corn flakes, televisions, and health and life insurance policies, marking a significant revamp of the Goods and Services Tax system. The new GST rates, effective from September 22, will reduce the current four tax slabs to just two: 5% and 18%. This change comes as India prepares for the start of Navaratri. This initiative aims to enhance domestic spending and mitigate the economic impact of US tariffs by significantly lowering tax rates on most personal use items. Following a lengthy GST…