Latest news with #Centre-State
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India eyes massive energy infrastructure push over next decade
New Delhi: India is expected to see investments of ₹30–35 lakh crore across the hydrocarbons value chain between 2025 and 2035, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said at Urja Varta 2025. 'India has invested over ₹4 lakh crore in energy infrastructure over the past decade. These investments have not only strengthened national capacity but also created tangible value at the state level,' the Minister said, addressing an inter-ministerial round table with state representatives. He added, 'With an envisaged investment of ₹30–35 lakh crore over the next 10 years, the coming decade will be pivotal for energy infrastructure development across the country.' Puri highlighted that India contributed 16% to the global increase in oil demand over the last five years and is expected to account for nearly 25% of the incremental global energy demand through 2045. The round table saw participation from ministers and senior officials from 22 states and Union Territories and focused on enhancing Centre-State cooperation in facilitating energy projects.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kishan Reddy seeks CM Revanth's partnership to take up green energy plants under Coal Ministry
Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy has urged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to partner with the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) under his ministry, including Coal India Limited (CIL) and NLC India Limited (NLCIL), in taking up renewable energy projects, encompassing solar and wind power plants, Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). In an official communication to the Chief Minister, a copy of which was released to the media on Thursday, the Union Minister said these initiatives are projected to attract investments in the range of ₹10,000 crore to TG over the next three years. The proposals are for development of solar power plants utilising Telangana's high solar isolation zones, deployment of advanced BESS systems to enhance grid stability and energy reliability; pre-feasibility studies and implementation of PSPs to provide critical balancing capacity; and formation of joint venture models with State PSUs or on a standalone basis by the coal companies, to ensure faster project execution and maximize local economic benefits. All these proposals and projects would require support in the acquisition or allocation of land by the State Government. They would be instrumental in the reduction of carbon emissions, improved air quality, and sustainable natural resource management, he said. Mr. Kishan Reddy, also the Secunderabad MP, said that the proposals also offer substantial socio-economic dividends, including job creation, skill development, enhanced energy security, and affordable power access, driving inclusive growth and improved quality of life for all. To take these projects to fruition, he has requested that a structured and seamless coordination be established between the State Government and the CPSUs. This can be done with the Chief Minister's 'active and timely engagement' and interventions in ensuring swift and effective implementation of these projects. 'Your leadership in this matter can serve as a model for constructive Centre-State cooperation in building a greener and self-reliant future,' he said. Telangana's substantial renewable energy potential and the Central Government's unwavering commitment to green growth, offers an opportunity to accelerate the State's economic development and position the State as a key contributor to India's sustainable energy transition, he pointed out.
India Today
21-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Two new GST levies may replace compensation cess, but at what cost?
With the compensation cess set to expire by March 1, 2026, the Centre is likely to propose two new levies — a Health Cess on tobacco and other harmful substances and a Clean Energy Cess on coal and automobiles, as part of the discussions at the upcoming GST Council meeting in move aims to fill the revenue gap that will open up once the transitional compensation cess is phased out. While these cesses are still under consideration, experts say they may introduce fresh complexity into the GST regime, especially for businesses and the broader Centre-State revenue-sharing IMPACT'GST was a landmark tax reform which then sought to replace a complex web of fragmented state taxation systems that were in existence before 2017,' said chartered accountant Siddharth Surana. 'Prior to 2017, states and union territories implemented and administered their own system of Value Added Tax, and the revenues from these taxes fell directly within their purview with no major need for fiscal co-operation and Centre-State harmony,' he added.'To offset the loss by the introduction of GST and the harmonisation of GST rates, the state governments were provided with compensation cess, which was a tax in addition to GST, and was applicable on certain demerit goods and sin products such as aerated beverages, automobiles and tobacco. The compensation cess was introduced only for a temporary period of time as a transitional measure, which was to end in 2022. However, with several extensions, this is likely to expire on 1st March 2026," Surana explained that the new cesses being discussed are unlikely to compromise the structural integrity of the GST system. 'In our understanding, as these levies are centrally proposed and are likely to follow the structure proposed by the central government, they are likely to be standard levies and do not pose a risk to return to the fragmented pre-GST tax structure,' he said.'Also, the taxes are targeted at very few products, mostly falling within the present 28% GST slab. Thus, while they may not affect the structure of GST, the major cause of concern would be distribution. The central and state governments would have to work out the method of distribution of proceeds of these cesses and this will require cooperative federalism,' Surana also pointed out that businesses are likely to feel the impact of any new levy on three key fronts.'In our opinion, the introduction of any new levy does have an impact on businesses on three fronts – costs, compliance and supply chain. The introduction of 2 new cesses are likely to increase the compliance burden on industry. It will also entail a change in the return formats and companies will have to adapt to the changing presentation and disclosure norms,' he compliance, Surana suggested that the policy intent behind these cesses is to influence corporate behaviour.'Further, it appears that the purpose of introducing these taxes is to increase the cost of products that are harmful to the environment and, therefore, may put more pressure on corporates to become more sustainable,' he added that the Clean Energy Cess, in particular, aligns with the government's push toward green energy. 'The use of coal as a source of power has tremendous ecological costs, and the replacement of coal with renewable sources of energy has been an objective of the government. We believe that the levy of cesses on products like automobiles will create ecological consciousness and force companies to revisit their supply chain and adopt sustainable practices.'
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
High-level committee on Centre-State relations calls on T.N. CM Stalin
The high-level committee, constituted by the Tamil Nadu government to review the Union government-State relations, called on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday (June 2, 2025). The committee's chairman, retired Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph, and members, retired IAS officer K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty and former State Planning Commission vice-chairman M. Naganathan, met the Chief Minister. Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and senior officials of the Public Department were also present on the occasion. Mr. Stalin, in April 2025, announced in the Legislative Assembly the formation of the three-member high-level committee to review the provisions of the Constitution, laws, and policies with respect to Centre-State relations, and recommend appropriate steps to strengthen the States' autonomy and federalism.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Watch: Why some States are upset with the Centre over revenue sharing: Part 1
Why some States are upset with the Centre over revenue sharing: Part 1 Almost every State — including those ruled by the BJP — is calling for a change in the current revenue-sharing formula with the Central government. To understand this growing demand, it's crucial to first unpack how the Centre earns revenue, what constitutes the 'divisible pool,' and why many States view the existing formula as inequitable — a concern that has only deepened in the post-pandemic years. In the first part of this three-part series, The Hindu Data Team simplifies the complexities of fiscal federalism using a ₹100 note to illustrate how funds are shared. The Fifteenth Finance Commission had recommended that 41% of the divisible pool be allocated to States. Now, the Sixteenth Finance Commission is visiting all States to determine the new revenue-sharing formula for the next five years. This series delves into the roots of the Centre-State fiscal debate and explores the road ahead. Presentation and scripting: Vignesh Radhakrishnan Editing: Sambavi Parthasarathy Camera: Thamodharan B.
