In parliament: No devaluation, some depreciation of rupee

The Finance Minister has said there has been no devaluation of the Indian Rupee (INR) and the value of INR is market-determined, with no target or specific level or band. She added that since the commencement of the last quarter of the calendar year 2024, INR, along with other Asian currencies, depreciated against the USD amid uncertainties surrounding the result of the US elections.

4,558 women went to Haj without mehram

A total of 4,558 female pilgrims undertook the Haj pilgrimage without a mehram (male companion) in 2024 which is an all-time high since the introduction of the ‘Ladies without Mehram’ category in Haj 2018, Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju told the RS, answering a question by MP Kiran Choudhry.

5,372 factory workers died from 2019-2022

Sharing information received from states, Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje said in Lok Sabha that 5,372 fatal injuries happened in India under the Factories Act between 2018 and 2022. Under the Factories Act, 1948, in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, there were 1,154, 1,127, 1,050, 988 and 1,053 fatal injuries, respectively.

Tax collection up after cut in corporate tax

The Finance Minister said direct tax collections have increased after the reduction of corporate tax rates with effect from assessment year 2020-21, except in FY 2020-21 which was a Covid year. Net direct tax collection (in cr) rose through the years — from Rs 10,50,681 in 2019-2020 to Rs 14,12,422 in 2021-22 to Rs 16,14,572 in 2024-25 (up to Dec 31, 2024).

(Compiled by Aditi Tandon)