Page 8 - Interviews

Covid-related death claims have become a concern: Bajaj Allianz Life CEO

The experience in group term has been worsening because group term is more efficient in reporting claims, says MD Chugh

Stimulus package should be broad-based, like Budget: NITI Aayog chief

In a Q&A, Amitabh Kant says the package should aim to lift growth instead of picking specific sectors for assistance

While spearheading CoWIN, my challenge has been the scale: R S Sharma

We registered 13.7 million in a matter of eight hours-that was the scale, said Sharma

Time has come for fiscal stimulus to support the economy: Uday Kotak

We are working with the government and vaccine manufacturers to increase the vaccine available for Indian business and industries, said Uday Kotak

Do not make promises that you know you cannot keep: Suresh Prabhu

Former environment and power minister and current Sherpa on negotiations with G7 and G20, Suresh Prabhu tells Aditi Phadnis in an interview the approach India should adopt on Net Zero. Edited excerpts

We remain optimistic about targets for upcoming fiscal year: Tarun Bajaj

We will have higher revenue, but also our expenditure would exceed the revised estimates in the Budget, said Bajaj

Capacity building at appropriate time is important, says ISA's Ajay Mathur

International Solar Alliance (ISA): We don't want to land in the same situation as that of fossil fuels when it comes to waste, said Mathur

Privatising small PSUs first not a good idea: NITI Aayog's Amitabh Kant

What is required is for unions to be convinced that the steps being taken are in their and the country's best interests, says Kant

Carmakers agreed for 1% incentive, but govt wants more: Road secretary

In an interview, Road Secretary Aramane speaks about the sops that the govt will provide and the relevance of synergy between the public and the private sectors to make vehicle scrapping policy work

We have Covid vaccination data for any post facto verification: R S Sharma

The only problem we have now is that hospitals don't follow the system of vaccination many times, says Sharma

We've done heavy pruning in crop portfolio: GIC Re chairman & MD Srivastava

We will be looking to prune our portfolio to make GIC Re a healthier entity, said MD Srivastava

Reducing pendency of complaints is priority: ICAI president Jambusaria

Govt has to balance between ease of doing biz and ensuring compliance, says Jambusaria

Finance commission recommendations aren't a one-day match: N K Singh

In a Q&A, the chairman of the 15th Finance Commission is emphatic that cooperative federalism remains robust and dwells on the possibilty of dividing agro infra cess between Centre and states

2-6% inflation target works well, no need to tinker with it: Sanjeev Sanyal

In a Q&A, the finance ministry's Principal Economic Advisor also explains why he thinks the latest Budget is extraordinary

Air India divestment expected to be closed in first qtr of FY22: DEA secy

We have taken up some big-bang disinvestments, particularly Air India and LIC on priority, said Bajaj

21.5% growth in direct tax revenue for FY22 a realistic goal: CBDT chairman

In a Q&A, P C Mody says while income tax slabs have been left untouched, more money is being put in the hands of taxpayers with faster refunds. Tax administration reforms will boost tax compliance

Govt will reserve up to 10% in LIC's IPO for policyholders: DIPAM Secretary

Provisions have been added in the LIC Act to provide some reservation to policyholders as shareholders, said DIPAM secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey

Focus on capex does not make Budget inflationary: Expenditure Secretary

We expect the cost of the vaccination to be Rs 700 per person. This includes the price of two shots at Rs 200-250 each, says Somanathan

Budget not just about raising, lowering tax: Finance secretary A B Pandey

The Budget should not be seen only as an exercise where you increase or decrease taxes, but also where you provide stability of rates, says Pandey

May need to reverse Rs 800 cr in interest income: YES Bank's Prashant Kumar

A back-of-the-envelope calculation says interest reversal will be to the tune of Rs 700-800 crore in that particular quarter, says Kumar