Page 109 - Economy & Policy News
States' salary, pension, interest expenses rise 2.5 times since FY14: CAG
Salaries, pensions, and interest payments on public debt and liabilities are treated as 'committed expenditure'
 "States' salary, pension, interest expenses rise 2.5 times since FY14: CAG")
Healthcare set to be more affordable as new GST rate kicks in from Sept 22
The GST Council has rationalised tax slabs on health and life insurance premiums, glucometers, and corrective spectacles
 "Healthcare set to be more affordable as new GST rate kicks in from Sept 22")
India, Oman set to ink CEPA trade pact soon as talks conclude: Oman's Envoy
In such agreements, two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them
 "India, Oman set to ink CEPA trade pact soon as talks conclude: Oman's Envoy")
Navaratri bonanza for buyers as car, bike makers roll out price cuts
Luxury carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW as well as two-wheeler makers are set to reduce prices with new GST coming into force from September 22
 "Navaratri bonanza for buyers as car, bike makers roll out price cuts")
GST rate cut kicks in from Monday, goods, services to become cheaper
Mass consumption items like ghee, paneer, butter, 'namkeen', ketchup, jam, dry fruits, coffee and ice creams, and aspirational goods like TV, AC, washing machines will become cheaper
 "GST rate cut kicks in from Monday, goods, services to become cheaper")
TV prices drop ₹2,500-85,000 on lower GST, makers eye robust festive sales
The TV industry, which has had almost flat sales in the first half of this fiscal (April to September) so far, expects a spike in sales during festivals
 "TV prices drop ₹2,500-85,000 on lower GST, makers eye robust festive sales")
Piyush Goyal to visit US on Monday to push for early trade deal talks
Goyal's visit follows a positive meeting between trade negotiators in New Delhi last week as India and the US step up efforts to resolve tensions and conclude a trade agreement
 "Piyush Goyal to visit US on Monday to push for early trade deal talks")
National Consumer Helpline launches dedicated category for GST complaints
The GST Council has reduced the tax rates on various goods and services with effect from September 22
 "National Consumer Helpline launches dedicated category for GST complaints")
US pushes to include India's Russian crude imports in trade negotiations
US officials have sought India to include Russian oil purchases in trade talks, even as New Delhi's refiners boost imports
 "US pushes to include India's Russian crude imports in trade negotiations")
PM Narendra Modi to launch maritime initiative in Gujarat on Saturday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch shipping and shipbuilding projects worth over Rs 7,870 crore on Saturday, including port upgrades and ship repair facilities
 "PM Narendra Modi to launch maritime initiative in Gujarat on Saturday")
Explore infra for trading beyond $-₹ currency pairs: Malhotra to CCIL
RBI's Sanjay Malhotra urges CCIL to broaden forex, derivatives, and tech-driven services to aid rupee internationalisation
 "Explore infra for trading beyond $-₹ currency pairs: Malhotra to CCIL")
Tariff turbulence: Mass-market products feel the US tariff pinch
US tariff hikes choke Indian exports; apparel, textiles, auto parts and gems face slowdown as workers in NCR clusters fear job losses
 "Tariff turbulence: Mass-market products feel the US tariff pinch")
India records lowest solar-plus-storage tariff at MP Morena project
The bidders included Acme Solar, Adani Renewable, AMPIN Energy, Apraava Energy, CEIGALL India, Dilip Buildcon, Engie, MB Power, NTPC Renewable Energy, Purvah Green, ReNew Solar, Serentica Renewables
 "India records lowest solar-plus-storage tariff at MP Morena project")
Large ships get infrastructure status in boost to maritime industry
Move seen to ease financing woes of India's nascent shipbuilding industry
 "Large ships get infrastructure status in boost to maritime industry")
SME tracker: Global headwinds to slow down growth for ITeS MSMEs
In FY25, revenue grew an estimated 11 per cent in rupee terms to ₹4.4 trillion, supported by increased offshore workloads from cost-conscious global clients
 "SME tracker: Global headwinds to slow down growth for ITeS MSMEs")
India's forex reserves rise $4.7 bn to $703 bn, close to record high
Foreign exchange reserves climbed for the second straight week, led by gains in foreign currency assets and gold holdings, bringing the total near the $705 billion record
 "India's forex reserves rise $4.7 bn to $703 bn, close to record high")
SDGs should take priority over climate targets, says CEA Nageswaran
India's Chief Economic Adviser Anantha Nageswaran has warned that India's climate goals must not undercut its economic aspirations
 "SDGs should take priority over climate targets, says CEA Nageswaran")
India leads global flex office market, to cross 100 mn sq ft by 2026: C&W
India has topped the global flex office maturity index, with Cushman and Wakefield projecting stock to cross 100 mn sq ft by 2026 on strong demand and operator expansion
 "India leads global flex office market, to cross 100 mn sq ft by 2026: C&W")
R&I Japan upgrades India's credit rating to BBB+ with stable outlook
R&I Japan upgraded India's sovereign credit rating to BBB+ from BBB with a stable outlook, citing demographic dividend, resilient domestic demand and fiscal policy progress
 "R&I Japan upgrades India's credit rating to BBB+ with stable outlook")
India, New Zealand to hold next round of FTA talks in October 2025
The third round of negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded on September 19 in Queenstown, New Zealand
 "India, New Zealand to hold next round of FTA talks in October 2025")