Page 217 - Economy & Policy News
Centre's disinvestment receipts in FY25 set to hit an 11-year low
The union government stopped setting specific disinvestment targets beginning in the 2023-24 financial year
 "Centre's disinvestment receipts in FY25 set to hit an 11-year low")
India, New Zealand aim to finalise comprehensive FTA within two months
Goyal said that there are hardly any areas where both countries compete. However, there are a few areas of sensitivity, but they can be navigated with mutual respect
 "India, New Zealand aim to finalise comprehensive FTA within two months")
Employees' salaries grew at 11% CAGR in 10 years: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
FM Sitharaman says factors of production being reset after pandemic
 "Employees' salaries grew at 11% CAGR in 10 years: FM Nirmala Sitharaman")
India, World Bank may ink $500 million deal for rural housing project
"SHIELD is designed to make rural housing cooler, more energy efficient, and more disaster resilient," another government official said
 "India, World Bank may ink $500 million deal for rural housing project")
Over Rs 11.8 trn locked in direct tax litigation, FM informs Rajya Sabha
For indirect taxes, 82,011 cases are pending, with a locked revenue of Rs 5.76 trillion as of January 31, 2025
 "Over Rs 11.8 trn locked in direct tax litigation, FM informs Rajya Sabha")
Ashtalakshmi vision: Centre cites gains, Oppn points to Manipur unrest
The Centre highlights a decade of development under PM Modi, while the Opposition criticises its handling of Manipur unrest and the PM's continued absence from the state
 "Ashtalakshmi vision: Centre cites gains, Oppn points to Manipur unrest")
Six years on, has PM-Kisan lived up to its promise of farmer relief?
The programme, meant to give a helping hand to small farmers, is the world's largest direct benefit transfer scheme and unarguably the Modi-led government's most ambitious
 "Six years on, has PM-Kisan lived up to its promise of farmer relief?")
New Zealand PM Luxon hasn't given up on dairy in trade deal with India
New Zealand efforts to secure better access to India's huge markets have foundered in the past, in particular because India wants to shield its dairy industry from imports
 "New Zealand PM Luxon hasn't given up on dairy in trade deal with India")
'Merchanting trade' includes supply of goods within same foreign country
The CBEC Circular no.38/97-Customs dated 19th September 1997 says that any group company having status recognition as 'export house' under the FTP can give the corporate guarantee
 "'Merchanting trade' includes supply of goods within same foreign country")
42% of director positions vacant on boards of 12 public sector banks
The Ministry of Finance, in a reply in Lok Sabha, said that the PSBs intimate the vacancies on the board of the bank and difficulties faced by them, if any, from time to time
 "42% of director positions vacant on boards of 12 public sector banks")
Datanomics: More Chinese market access may help counter Trump tariff impact
While India can look for innovative ideas to balance it out, one of the options available may be to persuade China to give it more market access
 "Datanomics: More Chinese market access may help counter Trump tariff impact")
Net direct tax collections rise 13% to Rs 21.3 trn till March 16 of FY25
Advance tax collections jump 14.6% during the period
 "Net direct tax collections rise 13% to Rs 21.3 trn till March 16 of FY25")
India's exports shrink 10.9% in February, the worst show in 20 months
Imports also see first drop in 11 months, bringing trade deficit to over 3-yr low
Govt assessing gains, challenges from US tariffs: Commerce secy Barthwal
Barthwal said govt is carrying out stakeholder consultations and assessing challenges, opportunities, and the broader impact of the additional tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports
 "Govt assessing gains, challenges from US tariffs: Commerce secy Barthwal")
India, New Zealand explore digital payments, trade, and investment ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kiwi PM promise to quickly designate representatives for trade talks
 "India, New Zealand explore digital payments, trade, and investment ties")
RBI increases state bond auction amount to Rs 52,120 cr from Rs 40,120 cr
In the previous auction, the cut-off yield on 10-year state bonds was set in the range of 7.18 per cent to 7.27 per cent
 "RBI increases state bond auction amount to Rs 52,120 cr from Rs 40,120 cr")
Net direct tax kitty rises 13% to Rs 21.26 trillion so far in FY25
During the year, the government collected Rs 10.44 trillion from four instalments of advance tax as against Rs 9.11 trillion in the previous fiscal, registering a growth of 14.62 per cent
 "Net direct tax kitty rises 13% to Rs 21.26 trillion so far in FY25")
India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to $14.05 billion in February
Merchandise trade deficit for March was $14.05 billion, compared with economists' forecast of $21.65 billion
 "India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to $14.05 billion in February")
WPI inflation rises to 2.38% in Feb from 2.31% in Jan on fuel and power
The fuel and power index increased by 2.12 per cent to 153.8 (provisional) in February from 150.6 (provisional) for the month of January
 "WPI inflation rises to 2.38% in Feb from 2.31% in Jan on fuel and power")
India, New Zealand restart FTA negotiations after a 10-year hiatus
The announcement coincides with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's visit to India
 "India, New Zealand restart FTA negotiations after a 10-year hiatus")