Page 4 - Subhomoy Bhattacharjee

Budget 2025: Shipbuilding gets big push from govt eyeing global trade

The Maritime Development Fund announced by the FM will have a corpus of Rs 25,000 cr; besides, tax breaks and easier infra credit access to shipbuilders aim to reinvigorate the shipbuilding industry

Budget 2025: Individual credit score boost for 100 mn SHG members

Tucked away as an innocuous para in the Budget document, it says "PSBs will develop a 'Grameen Credit Score' framework to serve the credit needs of SHG members, and people in rural areas"

Pay commissions called for reforms in services, but little happened

While the larger issue of reforms in the civil services has hardly ever been acted upon, except the Sixth Pay Commission others have been prudent in offering wage growth

IIFCL listing on the cards could give a fillip to infra financing

While it signals a return to the government's strategic divestment strategy, the amount raised will fall far short of the spending target for the sector

As Census looms after years of delay, questions over expenditure persist

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also expected to gather up the unspent capex and allocation for the current fiscal to push for a massive spending effort in FY26

Surety bonds vs bank guarantees: A financial shift in project risk-sharing

The surety bonds market in India has the potential to generate billions of dollars in premiums over the coming years

High premiums, claims disputes create disquiet in insurance landscape

During the winter session, a question was raised about insurance companies investing heavily in real estate or real estate investment trusts (REITs)

India's semiconductor ambitions take wing but water, talent issues remain

Semiconductor manufacturing requires extremely large volumes of pure and cold water, which only some states have; attracting the right talent also a challenge

Govt mulls bond issue for middle-class, rates could beat retail inflation

The new scheme, likely to be backed by Nabfid, aims to offer retail investors an alternative savings route to equity markets

Limited appetite raises questions on insurance FDI growth projections

The pace of FDI utilisation has been slow. Among private-sector non-life insurers, no company has reached the current 74 per cent threshold

Electronics component manufacturers eye govt support in Budget 2025

Electronics manufacturers hope for a production-linked incentive scheme in the upcoming Budget, while the government hopes production can move to Tier II towns to generate jobs

Health, education spending by states trails economy's nominal growth rates

State governments have consistently underspent on health and education, trailing the economy's nominal growth. Despite rising demands, priorities remain unchanged, as data reveals concerning trends

PMO launches new maritime strategy, to infuse funds into port sector

With almost all major ports languishing with low traffic levels, the funds will go a long way towards expanding cargo capacity and improving port facilities

In landmark ruling, SC strikes down State's power to seize private property

The ruling calls into question the doctrine of eminent domain, where state could summarily acquire private property, particularly land, for public use, and redefines the economic powers of the state

Coal, Power ministries plan winter coordination to prevent power shortages

While summer marks peak power demand across the country, with aggregate demand going beyond 250 GW on some days this year, winter highs also need to be watched

Satellite spectrum wars: No auction, foreign companies likely to benefit

Despite domestic telcos' insistence, earlier legal judgements have only called auction 'preferable' in the case of natural resources

CAG shines a light on state govts' expenses, asks officials for clarity

The CAG last week raised concerns over unclassified expenditures, questioning state finance secretaries over 'hidden' funds marked for various handouts

Eastern Freight Corridor cut short; major project runs into land hurdles

The Eastern arm of DFCCIL's Dedicated Freight Corridor has been cut short by 538 km, leaving a key segment unfinished due to land acquisition issues and weakening economic viability

IOC rights issue deferral signals no GOI shift on disinvestment policy

Indian Oil's decision to withdraw its Rs 22,000 crore rights issue highlights the govt's reluctance to reduce its stake in state-run enterprises, as fiscal priorities shift to sectors like rail, roads

Singapore seeks Indian forbearance on Chinese components in projects

Singapore has made it clear that it will place the highest priority on ensuring the presence of Chinese components in joint ventures with Indian counterparts is kept to a minimum