Page 1795 - Economy & Policy News
Covid-19: Cut costs, govt tells PSBs after PNB buys Audis for top bosses
The Centre has advised banks to make a 20 per cent reduction in expenditure related to non-core business activities
 "Covid-19: Cut costs, govt tells PSBs after PNB buys Audis for top bosses")
China's retreat from trade spat with EU could help Indian industry
While China's dispute was with EU, its decision to not pursue it will help US and India. Besides, this could help Indian exporters target replacing Chinese goods in EU and US
 "China's retreat from trade spat with EU could help Indian industry")
RBI to replace NHB rules with its own set as the new HFC regulator
Central bank sets a formal definition of 'housing finance' in draft released on its website
 "RBI to replace NHB rules with its own set as the new HFC regulator")
Cost of 1962 war: Stock markets fell 16%, gold price slipped 30%
Greater controls and more uncertainty marked business climate of the time
 "Cost of 1962 war: Stock markets fell 16%, gold price slipped 30%")
Covid-19 crisis: Move to turn hotels into hospitals raises temperature
The Delhi government's recent order to attach hotels to serve as extensions of hospitals to provide for the shortfall of beds and medical facilities for Covid-19 patients has baffled many hoteliers
 "Covid-19 crisis: Move to turn hotels into hospitals raises temperature")
Telcos told to stop sourcing 4G telecom equipment from Chinese firms
The major private operators - Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea - are procuring their 4G equipment from multinational companies, such as Nokia, Ericsson, ZTE, Huawei, and Samsung.
 "Telcos told to stop sourcing 4G telecom equipment from Chinese firms")
Brands chant the affordability mantra as they chase thrifty customers
The familiar playbook of flexible payment schemes, value packs and discounted sales dons a post-pandemic avatar as brands chase thrifty customers
 "Brands chant the affordability mantra as they chase thrifty customers")
The Fastag track could be key to the government's ambitious programme
Investment in public infrastructure will be essential to pull the economy out of the massive downturn the pandemic has imposed
 "The Fastag track could be key to the government's ambitious programme")
Trade gap with China set to narrow this year: Explained in charts
Imports from the northern neighbour have been on the wane since 2017-18 when it had peaked to $76 bn.
 "Trade gap with China set to narrow this year: Explained in charts")
Beijing-backed AIIB clears $750-million loan for India's Covid-19 fight
AIIB's total sovereign loans to India now amount to $ 3.06 billion, including a recent $500 million Covid-19 emergency response
 "Beijing-backed AIIB clears $750-million loan for India's Covid-19 fight")
Defer avoidable expenditure, reduce costs: Govt tells public sector banks
Further, the banks have been asked to effect significant reduction in expenditure on activities other than those pertaining to core business activities
 "Defer avoidable expenditure, reduce costs: Govt tells public sector banks")
Make full use of Covid-19 testing capacity, expand health infra: PM to CMs
The prime minister, however, stated that the number of recovered patients has also been rising, and added that it is a matter of relief that very few patients needed ICU and ventilator care
 "Make full use of Covid-19 testing capacity, expand health infra: PM to CMs")
FinMin releases Rs 15,187 cr to states as rural local bodies grant
This amount would enable the rural local bodies to fight the coronavirus pandemic and restart economic activities
 "FinMin releases Rs 15,187 cr to states as rural local bodies grant")
Madhya Pradesh versus Punjab: Who is ahead in the wheat procurement game?
Lower taxes and a slew of incentives give MP and edge over the traditional wheat bowl. However, Punjab wins hands down on yield
 "Madhya Pradesh versus Punjab: Who is ahead in the wheat procurement game?")
Kicking the import habit: Can India grab a $200-bn business opportunity
PM Modi's call for a self-reliant India, free of its dependence on imports, means opportunity for the domestic industry. But there are many questions that need to be answered, writes Sai Manish
 "Kicking the import habit: Can India grab a $200-bn business opportunity")
Why bringing down revenue deficit to acceptable levels is a difficult task
The collapse of the economy following the Covid-19 outbreak may have dealt a body blow to efforts to achieve the targets set forth by the N K singh Committee on FRBM
 "Why bringing down revenue deficit to acceptable levels is a difficult task")
Person-days of work under MGNREGA amid Covid-19 crisis: A reality check
There are questions as to whether the support provided so far is adequate and if the government further needs to augment its budgetary allocation
 "Person-days of work under MGNREGA amid Covid-19 crisis: A reality check")
Centre relaxes payment mechanism for govt-funded highway contracts
Contractors to be given funds every month
 "Centre relaxes payment mechanism for govt-funded highway contracts")
Covid-19 crisis: Green shoots visible in the economy, PM Modi tells CMs
In a similar forum on Wednesday, he will meet CMs of some of the worst-hit states including Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh
 "Covid-19 crisis: Green shoots visible in the economy, PM Modi tells CMs")
Q1 advance tax mop-up falls 76% as Covid-19 pandemic bites economy
Net collection down 32%
 "Q1 advance tax mop-up falls 76% as Covid-19 pandemic bites economy")