Page 21 - Arup Roychoudhury

Situation not as bad as it is being made out to be: Economic affairs secy

Bajaj also said the financial services secretary was examining a plan of bank recapitalisation

Covid-19 impact: Govt plans job scheme for urban poor and migrants

It could be a new scheme or modified version of an existing employment programme, officials say

Govt imposes restrictions on public procurement from China, neighbours

However, it provided relaxation in case of medical supplies in light of Covid-19

No plan to monetise debt for now, GDP may not shrink too severely: DEA Secy

Tarun Bajaj says proposal of a 'bad bank' discussed internally, but no decision taken

Sitharaman reviews capex of seven CPSEs under three key ministries

Combined capital expenditure of the seven PSUs for FY21 is Rs 24,663 crore, down from Rs 25,974 crore last year

Privatisation remains a priority despite Covid slowdown: DIPAM Secy

Says it is not that investors are not engaged, but they want more time. Because one thing that is not open yet is international travel

Agriculture driving growth; open to more measures: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Says rebound particularly visible in rural sector even as she acknowledges forecasts by various agencies on GDP contraction for FY21

As revenue dips in Covid times, govt sets ball rolling for BPCL sale

The biggest deals are expected to the initial public offering of LIC and the BPCL deal. Other planned privatisation candidates include Air India, Concor, and Shipping Corp

Puri seeks higher devolution to urban bodies from 15th Finance Commission

Along with Puri and Mishra, the videoconference meeting was attended by 15th FC Chairman NK Singh and members of the Commission

The impact of a surge in diesel prices on the fuel's usage in some sectors

Even if we take the increase in prices in Delhi from June 7 till now, a hike of Rs 11.14 will increase the cost for the transport sector by Rs 2,665 cr, for farm sector by Rs 1,053 cr and for private

April-May fiscal deficit at 58.6% of fiscal year target as revenue slumps

Total revenue was Rs 45,498 crore, or 2 per cent of the budgeted estimate of Rs 22.46 trillion, compared to 7.1 per cent for the same period last year.

Govt eyes higher RBI surplus this year as Covid-19 decimates tax revenues

Data available on the RBI's website shows that, as of April 1-June 21, the RBI has purchased more than Rs 1.3 trillion in government bonds

Govt may get RBI to monetise fiscal deficit in second half of FY21

A final decision on the matter will be taken before the borrowing calendar for October 2020-March 2021 is announced in late-September

Discussing alternatives to base year, says 15th FC chairman N K Singh

Singh said that while the current year and part of next year would see a continued slowdown, things could get better from the latter half of 2021-22, and economy may grow at a rapid pace from thereon

Breaching FRBM limits acceptable in pandemic, roadmap necessary: N K Singh

Singh was speaking after the first meeting of the commission's panel on fiscal consolidation, and a meeting on the commission's panel on the health sector

Cash transfer is easier on paper than in reality: Expenditure Secy

In a Q&A, T V Somanathan says govt's actions aren't driven by any fear of a ratings downgrade; what migrants needed more than cash transfers is free food, which the Centre provided

10 targets that states need to achieve to avail extra borrowing

These targets are under four categories, namely, One-Nation-One-Ration Card, ease of doing business, power sector reforms and urban local body reforms

Govt changes tack with plans for bigger stimulus rivaling G-20 peers

Higher borrowing, economy restarting has changed govt's earlier view of smaller measures

Centre not cutting flagship schemes but won't take over states' burden

Official says some savings are expected as the Centre will make cuts wherever there is low-priority expenditure

Govt hikes borrowing limit by over 50% to Rs 12 trn as virus grips economy

Sources say the Centre has asked RBI to do whatever to keep yields in check, which may result in massive secondary market bond purchases