logo
Sivasubramanian Ramann Takes Charge As PFRDA Chairperson: Finance Ministry

Sivasubramanian Ramann Takes Charge As PFRDA Chairperson: Finance Ministry

India.com20-06-2025
New Delhi: Sivasubramanian Ramann on Friday assumed charge as the Chairperson of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), according to a Finance Ministry statement. He has been appointed for a tenure of five years, with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or till he attains the age of 65 years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest, the statement read.
Ramann served as an officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) from the 1991 batch. Prior to joining PFRDA, he served as the Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General and Chief Technology Officer in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
According to the ministry, he has previously held several leadership positions, including Chairman and Managing Director of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of National E-Governance Services Ltd. (NeSL), and Principal Accountant General of the State of Jharkhand.
For period 2006 to 2013, he also served as Chief General Manager (CGM) and then as Executive Director at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Ramann holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and an MBA from the University of Delhi. He also has multiple professional and academic qualifications.
'With his vast experience in public finance, technology, and financial regulation, Ramann will guide PFRDA in its objective to strengthen India's pension system and promote retirement security for all citizens,' said the ministry.
Meanwhile, the National Pension System (NPS) has emerged as a cornerstone of India's pension sector with an accumulated corpus of Rs 14.4 lakh crore and 8.4 crore subscribers under NPS and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), said PFRDA chairman Deepak Mohanty during an event in April.
Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, said India's demographic landscape is rapidly changing and with 19 per cent of the population projected to be elderly by the mid-century, securing financial independence through inclusive pension schemes is not merely a goal, but a vital need for the country.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

GST reforms could offer relief, but affordability crisis deepens in housing market: ANAROCK
GST reforms could offer relief, but affordability crisis deepens in housing market: ANAROCK

Economic Times

time10 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

GST reforms could offer relief, but affordability crisis deepens in housing market: ANAROCK

India's affordable housing segment is facing an acute crunch as spiraling construction costs eat into already thin developer margins, leading to a steep decline in supply and sales share. ADVERTISEMENT According to industry data, the cost of constructing residential projects has risen by 40% over the last five years, with a particularly sharp 27.3% increase between October 2021 and October 2024. As a result, affordable housing's share of overall supply has dropped from 40% in 2019 to just 12% in H1 2025, while its sales share has shrunk from 38% to 18% over the same period (ANAROCK Research). Rising input costs: Breaking down the pressure pointsThe biggest drivers of cost escalation are labour and raw materials. Labour wages alone have risen 150% since 2019, including a sharp 25% jump in just the past prices of steel and cement have risen between 30–57% over five years, while copper and aluminium have seen even steeper increases — copper prices surged 91% between 2019 and 2024. ADVERTISEMENT Other cost pressures stem from regulatory approvals, compliance, logistics, and higher fuel prices, further straining developer budgets. Unlock 500+ Stock Recos on App ADVERTISEMENT The surge in input costs is reflected across cities, with construction expenses for affordable housing now ranging from Rs 1,500–2,500 per sq. ft in Kolkata to as high as Rs 2,500–4,500 per sq. ft in projects, by contrast, easily cross Rs 5,000 per sq. ft in metros, given higher finishes and premium materials. ADVERTISEMENT Mumbai: Affordable – Rs 2,500–4,500 / Luxury – Rs 5,000+ Affordable – Rs 2,500–4,500 / Luxury – Rs 5,000+ Delhi NCR: Affordable – Rs 2,000–3,500 / Luxury – Rs 4,500+ Affordable – Rs 2,000–3,500 / Luxury – Rs 4,500+ Bengaluru: Affordable – Rs 1,800–3,200 / Luxury – Rs 4,500+ Affordable – Rs 1,800–3,200 / Luxury – Rs 4,500+ Chennai: Affordable – Rs 1,700–2,800 / Luxury – Rs 4,200+ Affordable – Rs 1,700–2,800 / Luxury – Rs 4,200+ Hyderabad: Affordable – Rs 1,600–2,700 / Luxury – Rs 4,000+ Affordable – Rs 1,600–2,700 / Luxury – Rs 4,000+ Pune: Affordable – Rs 1,800–3,000 / Luxury – Rs 4,500+ Affordable – Rs 1,800–3,000 / Luxury – Rs 4,500+ Kolkata: Affordable – Rs 1,500–2,500 / Luxury – Rs 4,000+ The cost hikes are squeezing affordable housing developers the hardest. Unlike luxury and mid-segment projects, where developers can pass on higher costs to buyers, affordable housing buyers are extremely an increase of Rs 500–800 per sq. ft can raise unit prices by Rs 5–8 lakh, effectively pushing homes out of reach for large sections of the middle- and lower-income population. ADVERTISEMENT Smaller developers, who primarily operate in the affordable segment, are increasingly delaying or cutting back launches. Larger and branded developers, with greater margins in mid- and luxury projects, are better positioned to absorb the risk of tariff hikes on imported construction materials such as steel, aluminium, cement, and finishing equipment could push costs up further.A 25% tariff could increase project costs by 1.5–2.5%. A 50% tariff could escalate costs by 5% or more, with ripple effects across supply hikes would disproportionately impact luxury and commercial projects that rely on imported materials, while further worsening affordability in lower government's proposed GST restructuring could partially offset cost pressures. Key changes include reducing GST on cement from 28% to 18% and rationalizing tax slabs to just 5% and 18%. This could lower input costs for developers and modestly ease housing prices:Affordable housing: Prices could fall by 2–4% if ITC (input tax credit) is housing: Prices could drop 2–3% if GST is cut from 5% to 3%.Luxury housing: Minimal impact, as high-end items may still face steep housing, once the backbone of India's housing policy, is now at risk of slipping further behind. The twin pressures of rising construction costs and reduced affordability have led developers to focus more on mid-range and luxury policy interventions — including tariff moderation, GST reforms, and incentives for affordable housing — are implemented, the segment could face an extended slowdown, reducing homeownership accessibility for millions of Indians. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)

Is Rs 4 crore enough for retirement corpus? Gurmeet Chadha gives simple calculation metric
Is Rs 4 crore enough for retirement corpus? Gurmeet Chadha gives simple calculation metric

Economic Times

time10 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

Is Rs 4 crore enough for retirement corpus? Gurmeet Chadha gives simple calculation metric

How much money does one really need to achieve financial independence—Rs 5 crore, Rs 10 crore, or Rs 20 crore? This is a question that often lingers in the minds of individuals planning their retirement. ADVERTISEMENT Market expert Gurmeet Chadha, Managing Partner & CIO at Complete Circle, offered a straightforward calculation to help people arrive at the "right amount" needed for their retirement corpus. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Chadha addressed the dilemma by linking financial independence directly to current lifestyle costs. 'The right amount is the derivative of current monthly expenditure, which has stepped up 5% every year,' he wrote. Chadha explained that the benchmark lies in ensuring that a portfolio's returns are sufficient to cover monthly expenses. According to him, 'If 6% of your portfolio can match your monthly expenditure – that's the right amount.'To illustrate, Chadha shared an example: 'If your monthly expense is 2 lac rupee.. then 4 cr+ is your retirement corpus.. (6% of 4 cr is 24 lacs annually/ 2 lac monthly).'The seasoned financial advisor highlighted that a clear understanding of one's expenses forms the basis of calculating financial freedom. 'Calculate your expenses – that's the starting point… be liberal while doing the maths,' he advised, underscoring the importance of being realistic and slightly generous in estimating future costs to avoid shortfalls. ADVERTISEMENT In his post, Chadha also touched upon a broader reflection from one of his clients who observed how wealth accumulation often outpaces the ability to enjoy it. 'We end up earning/making far more than we and our children can spend on forgetting how to live,' the client remarked, a thought Chadha echoed in his discussion on financial independence. Unlock 500+ Stock Recos on App By laying down a simple formula, tying monthly expenses to corpus size via portfolio returns, Chadha has provided an accessible framework for individuals grappling with the complex question of 'how much is enough' for retirement. ADVERTISEMENT Also read: HAL, among other defence stocks in focus after Govt clears Rs 62,000 crore Tejas Mark 1A deal (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)

Maharashtra government inks MoUs worth Rs 42,000 crore ahead of local polls
Maharashtra government inks MoUs worth Rs 42,000 crore ahead of local polls

New Indian Express

time12 minutes ago

  • New Indian Express

Maharashtra government inks MoUs worth Rs 42,000 crore ahead of local polls

MUMBAI: Ahead of the upcoming local body elections, the Maharashtra government has given a major push to urban infrastructure by signing eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs), paving the way for investments worth over Rs 42,000 crore and generating 25,000 jobs. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Maharashtra is turning into a 'Data central capital' and 'capital of solar power'. He added that the huge investment is coming in both the data and solar power sectors. 'The eight MoUs have been signed with an expected investment of Rs 42,892 crores, and that will generate 25,000 jobs in the state. There is also a boost for the Hyperloop project. The big transformation is happening in the logistics, transport, and mobility sector across India, and Maharashtra is taking the big leap,' CM Devendra Fadnavis said. As per state government data, the state inked the Rs 10,900 crore investment with Jupitar International Ltd, which will invest in Solar power projects. This said investment will generate 8308 jobs in the state. Besides, an MoU with Rochak System Pvt Ltd for setting up the data centre with the investment of Rs 2508 crore and 1000 jobs will be generated.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store