Page 1443 - Economy & Policy News
Inflation remains a big worry ahead as country reels under Covid shock
Massive Urban spike foreseen, food price volatility may worsen as monsoon approaches; decade high wholesale inflation may put further pressure, but favourable base effect may have tempering effect
 "Inflation remains a big worry ahead as country reels under Covid shock")
Competition Commission paper on blockchain tech spells regulatory risk
In case of permission-less blockchains, network participants may be anonymous or pseudonymous - their identities are not known fully - the CCI discussion paper notes
 "Competition Commission paper on blockchain tech spells regulatory risk")
Why MSMEs need help again and why the govt's earlier approach may not work?
While players in the financial ecosystem are opening up to the idea of receivables funding for the sector, this market needs a regulator, which a Parliament panel feels only RBI can provide
 "Why MSMEs need help again and why the govt's earlier approach may not work?")
Covid-led record defaults cloud India's resilient equities, bonds
Firms have defaulted on at least Rs 5,700 cr of domestic bonds this year, while Sensex hit 3-week high amid optimism on US vaccine support
 "Covid-led record defaults cloud India's resilient equities, bonds")
Petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged; revisions expected next month
Oil marketing companies decided to wait for state elections to get over before restarting daily revision of petrol and diesel prices in line with price movement globally
 "Petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged; revisions expected next month")
'Unprecedented move': Politicians vow to pay India's women for housework
Ruling coalition, Opposition in Tamil Nadu and Kerala promise monthly income support to homemakers; Mamata Banerjee says she will give monthly income support to female heads of 16 million households.
 "'Unprecedented move': Politicians vow to pay India's women for housework")
India's second Covid-19 wave may impede economic recovery, says S&P
Credit rating agency S&P Global said on Wednesday the second wave of Covid-19 infections in India could impede the country's economic recovery and expose other nations to further waves of outbreaks
 "India's second Covid-19 wave may impede economic recovery, says S&P")
India's GDP to grow at 11% this fiscal, economic recovery at risk: ADB
The Indian economy is projected to grow at 11 per cent in the current financial year amid the "strong" vaccine drive, said ADB on Wednesday
 "India's GDP to grow at 11% this fiscal, economic recovery at risk: ADB")
NBFCs seek fresh debt recast as Covid-19 second wave wreaks havoc
Those who had availed themselves of the recast earlier should get a second chance, the Finance Industry Development Council said in a letter to the RBI
 "NBFCs seek fresh debt recast as Covid-19 second wave wreaks havoc")
MSMEs urge FM Nirmala Sitharaman to review NPA classification norms
In its suggestions to the finance ministry, the Federation of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has said the greatest need that has emerged is the flexibility in assigning NPAs
 "MSMEs urge FM Nirmala Sitharaman to review NPA classification norms")
USTR discusses proposed IP rights waiver with Pfizer, AstraZeneca
Development comes a day after US President Joe Biden said he is determined to help India in its time of need
 "USTR discusses proposed IP rights waiver with Pfizer, AstraZeneca")
Covid-19 Second wave may not derail Modi govt's disinvestment plan
Privatisation and strategic disinvestment drive are seen as key tools in boosting the economy amid the sharp surge in Covid-19 cases
 "Covid-19 Second wave may not derail Modi govt's disinvestment plan")
Decoded: Why higher circulation of currency is normal in abnormal times
In a country like India, where inflation is a curse word, currency in circulation has to be curtailed to control inflation
 "Decoded: Why higher circulation of currency is normal in abnormal times")
Building for scrap: Does India have the capacity to handle this?
Creating the capacity to scrap vehicles in the volumes required to make a significant dent in vehicular pollution will be a tough ask
 "Building for scrap: Does India have the capacity to handle this?")
In a nation of inequalities, India's vaccine strategy is bad economics
Free, universal access to inoculation could prepare India better for a third Covid-19 resurgence.
 "In a nation of inequalities, India's vaccine strategy is bad economics")
India was world's 3rd-biggest military spender in 2020, behind US and China
The five biggest spenders in 2020 were the United States, China, India, Russia and the United Kingdom, which together accounted for 62 per cent of world military spending
 "India was world's 3rd-biggest military spender in 2020, behind US and China")
FIDC seeks loan recast for its retail borrowers as second wave wreaks havoc
In letter to RBI, requests this be done irrespective of whether such accounts have been restructured on earlier occasions
 "FIDC seeks loan recast for its retail borrowers as second wave wreaks havoc")
Supply lines at risk as shipping containers topple over at alarming rate
Millions of dollars of cargo sinks to the bottom of oceans as pressure to speed deliveries raises the risk of safety errors.
 "Supply lines at risk as shipping containers topple over at alarming rate")
Recovery tracker: Retail and recreation footfalls back to September lows
Traffic and emission also take a hit in both Delhi and Mumbai
 "Recovery tracker: Retail and recreation footfalls back to September lows")
Need new well-capitalised asset-reconstruction companies, says RBI study
Notwithstanding the increase in the number of ARCs over time, there has been a concentration in the industry in terms of AUM and the security receipts issued
 "Need new well-capitalised asset-reconstruction companies, says RBI study")