The Finance Minister clarified in Parliament that there has been no devaluation of the Indian Rupee (INR) and that its value is market-determined, with no specific target or band set by the government. She acknowledged that since the last quarter of 2024, INR, like other Asian currencies, has depreciated against the USD due to uncertainties surrounding the US elections.
Contents
4,558 Women Undertook Haj Without Mehram
- In 2024, 4,558 women completed the Haj pilgrimage without a mehram (male guardian), marking an all-time high since the introduction of the ‘Ladies without Mehram’ category in 2018.
- This was revealed by Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju in response to a question in Rajya Sabha.
5,372 Factory Workers Died From 2019-2022
- Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje informed the Lok Sabha that a total of 5,372 fatal workplace injuries were reported under the Factories Act between 2018 and 2022.
- Annual fatal injuries:
- 2018: 1,154
- 2019: 1,127
- 2020: 1,050
- 2021: 988
- 2022: 1,053
Tax Collection Rose After Corporate Tax Cut
- The Finance Minister stated that direct tax collections increased following the corporate tax rate reduction, except for FY 2020-21, which was impacted by Covid-19.
- Net direct tax collection (in ₹ crore):
- 2019-20: ₹10,50,681
- 2021-22: ₹14,12,422
- 2024-25 (till Dec 31, 2024): ₹16,14,572