Page 2335 - Economy & Policy News
Political risks to rate cut, what India's women economists predict for 2019
Slower growth and benign inflation will boost chances of back-to-back interest rate cuts by the RBI in April
 "Political risks to rate cut, what India's women economists predict for 2019")
GST exemption limit of Rs 40 lakh for SMEs to be effective from April 1
Also, service providers and suppliers of both goods and services with a turnover of up to Rs 50 lakh would be eligible to opt for the GST composition scheme
 "GST exemption limit of Rs 40 lakh for SMEs to be effective from April 1")
Relief for industry as govt clears air on levy of GST on promotional offers
Experts said the clarification will bring ease of marketing and save litigation troubles for the industry
Gender pay gap in India down by only 1% in 2018, says monster survey
In the manufacturing sector, men earn 24% more than women
 "Gender pay gap in India down by only 1% in 2018, says monster survey")
Budget outlays for women-oriented schemes never crossed 6% in BJP's tenure
In two years - 2010-11 and 2011-12 - it crossed 6%
 "Budget outlays for women-oriented schemes never crossed 6% in BJP's tenure")
US trade deficit with India falls, PM Modi to raise issue with Trump
Despite increased protectionism through higher tariffs on imports and easier export norms, the Trump administration has not been able to rein in the US' ballooning global trade deficit
 "US trade deficit with India falls, PM Modi to raise issue with Trump")
Cabinet okays Rs 15,500-cr loan for sugar mills to boost ethanol capacity
Sugarcane dues have crossed Rs 20,000 crore till February of this marketing year
 "Cabinet okays Rs 15,500-cr loan for sugar mills to boost ethanol capacity")
Govt approves projects, revival scheme worth Rs 31,000-cr for power sector
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two thermal power and two hydro power projects, a hydro power scheme and a revival scheme for stressed assets
 "Govt approves projects, revival scheme worth Rs 31,000-cr for power sector")
More power to them: Women who break the glass ceiling in the world of oil
According to a report by the BCG, women participation in senior leadership globally in the oil and gas sector is 17 per cent but the share in India is just 5 per cent
 "More power to them: Women who break the glass ceiling in the world of oil")
Govt panel gets more powers to decide on privatisation of state-owned firms
There are about 30 state-owned companies, including Air India, that the Narendra Modi government wants to sell off completely or give up majority stakeholding of
 "Govt panel gets more powers to decide on privatisation of state-owned firms")
Cabinet okays 5-year plan for 'phased manufacturing' of EV batteries
According to a Niti Aayog report, India needs a minimum of 10 GWh of cells by 2022, which would need to be expanded to about 50 GWh by 2025
 "Cabinet okays 5-year plan for 'phased manufacturing' of EV batteries")
Court refuses bail to those accused of circular trading to evade GST
The government has detected evasion of nearly Rs 4,000 crore on account of claiming input tax credit against fake invoices
Automobile dealers say new GST changes put 'burden', seek rollback
The federation feels that the insertion of a new section 49A of the GST Act puts an 'unwaranted burden' on their working capital requirements, as they are already hit by slowing sales
 "Automobile dealers say new GST changes put 'burden', seek rollback")
US trade deficit with India down by 7% to $1.6 billion in 2018
The US trade deficit in goods and services increased by $9.5 billion from $50.3 billion in November to $59.8 billion in December
 "US trade deficit with India down by 7% to $1.6 billion in 2018")
Nirmala Sitharaman approves the first batch of reforms in Indian Army
Finalised after 12 independent studies, the transformative reforms in the Army are being implemented to make the 1.3 million-strong force leaner and meaner
 "Nirmala Sitharaman approves the first batch of reforms in Indian Army")
Businesses need to pay up to Rs 20 for using Aadhaar services: UIDAI
The gazette notification, the Aadhaar (Pricing of Aadhaar Authentication Services) Regulations 2019, however, exempts govt entities and the Department of Posts from authentication transaction charges
 "Businesses need to pay up to Rs 20 for using Aadhaar services: UIDAI")
Fresh investments attracted by states rise 8% in value to Rs 3.35 trillion
The proposed investments totaled to Rs 3.35 lakh crore at the end of December 2018 rising from Rs 3.15 lakh crore in the year-ago period
 "Fresh investments attracted by states rise 8% in value to Rs 3.35 trillion")
Sweetener for sugar industry: Govt okays soft loan of Rs 12,900 crore
The additional funds are part of the government's measure to address the stress in the sugar sector
 "Sweetener for sugar industry: Govt okays soft loan of Rs 12,900 crore")
Stressed power projects to Delhi Metro: Key cabinet decisions today
The Union Cabinet Thursday approved state-owned NHPC taking over debt-laden Lanco's 500 MW Teesta hydro-electric power project in Sikkim
 "Stressed power projects to Delhi Metro: Key cabinet decisions today")
Cabinet clears Rs 26,000 cr investments for 2 thermal, 1 hydro power plants
The Cabinet approved an investment of Rs 11,089 crore for 1320 MW Khurja Super Thermal Power Plant in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh and Amelia Coal Mine in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh
 "Cabinet clears Rs 26,000 cr investments for 2 thermal, 1 hydro power plants")