Parl committee on finance to examine tax reforms, performance of Guj’s GIFT City

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has announced an ambitious agenda of 35 subjects for detailed examination during the fiscal year 2025-26. The list reflects a strategic focus on boosting India’s economic framework, addressing regulatory challenges, and fostering innovation in finance, taxation and sustainable development.

The agenda includes a performance review of the International Financial Services Centre at GIFT City, Gujarat, and evaluations of NITI Aayog’s aspirational districts and blocks programmes to enhance regional equity and economic growth. Taxation reforms feature prominently, with a focus on simplifying indirect taxes, particularly GST, rationalising direct taxes and easing compliance to bolster the ease of doing business.

The standing committee on finance is led by BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab. The committee comprises 31 members — 21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha. Ex-Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Congress leader Manish Tewari are also its members.

The committee will also scrutinise banking, insurance and Non-Banking Financial Companies. Investor protection and corporate governance are key priorities, with reviews of the National Company Law Tribunal, Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority , Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and SEBI, alongside the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Emerging issues like AI in finance, climate-resilient financing and virtual digital assets highlight the Committee’s forward-looking approach to digital transformation and sustainability.