Page 270 - Economy & Policy News
India, Australia outline path for early conclusion of comprehensive FTA
New Delhi and Canberra discussed several critical areas of the proposed agreement, including trade in goods, services, mobility, agri-tech cooperation, among others
 "India, Australia outline path for early conclusion of comprehensive FTA")
Retail inflation for farm workers eases to 5.96%, rural labourers to 6%
The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) registered an increase of 11 points and 10 points, respectively, in October 2024
 "Retail inflation for farm workers eases to 5.96%, rural labourers to 6%")
India's copper demand rises by 13% to hit 1,700 kilo tonnes in FY24
Traditionally, building construction and infrastructure account for 43 per cent of copper demand while contributing 11 per cent to GDP, International Copper Association India said in a statement
 "India's copper demand rises by 13% to hit 1,700 kilo tonnes in FY24")
Rupee ends marginally lower, near-term bearish bias tipped to persist
While the rupee touched a low of 84.7350 during the session, mild dollar sales from state-run banks helped avoid further losses, traders said
 "Rupee ends marginally lower, near-term bearish bias tipped to persist")
Rail freight loading slowdown continues; November sees 1.4% growth
Data from the core sector up to October reveals a 5.3 per cent increase in electricity generation so far this year
 "Rail freight loading slowdown continues; November sees 1.4% growth")
India plans final refinery expansion as electric vehicle era looms
This comes even as New Delhi is struggling to strike a balance between rapidly adopting EV and bolstering energy security by taking recourse to affordable and more reliable transport fuels
 "India plans final refinery expansion as electric vehicle era looms")
NSO to unveil 1st private capex survey in March amid investment push
NSO launched the first of its kind survey to track the annual capex by the private sector by compiling information on the projected capital investment for the next two years
 "NSO to unveil 1st private capex survey in March amid investment push")
Tax contribution of petroleum sector set to drop rapidly in FY 2024-25
Collections from windfall tax collections had cooled before it was withdrawn on December 2
 "Tax contribution of petroleum sector set to drop rapidly in FY 2024-25")
India's electronics exports may dominate trade negotiations with US
India's electronics exports, driving over 62% trade surplus, to dominate US talks
 "India's electronics exports may dominate trade negotiations with US")
Limited appetite raises questions on insurance FDI growth projections
The pace of FDI utilisation has been slow. Among private-sector non-life insurers, no company has reached the current 74 per cent threshold
 "Limited appetite raises questions on insurance FDI growth projections")
India's aid gradually shifting beyond Asia, extending to new regions
These projects span a wide range of sectors like water, power, railways, roads, agriculture, education and health care
 "India's aid gradually shifting beyond Asia, extending to new regions")
Centre may halt Sovereign Gold Bonds issuance from FY26 to reduce govt debt
Scheme said to have outlived its purpose of reducing physical gold imports
 "Centre may halt Sovereign Gold Bonds issuance from FY26 to reduce govt debt")
Natural farming in mission mode, but is it a workable alternative?
While the government is looking to push natural farming, which is different from organic farming, contrasting studies question the scalability and viability of the practice
 "Natural farming in mission mode, but is it a workable alternative?")
Norway planning to ratify India-EFTA free trade agreement next year
The agreement came up for discussions during India-Norway Business Forum which was held in Mumbai
 "Norway planning to ratify India-EFTA free trade agreement next year")
Electronics component makers seek Rs 72,500 cr to cut reliance on imports
The industry body expects that the government's support for non-semiconductor components can help reduce the deficit in the country by Rs 12.36 lakh crore
 "Electronics component makers seek Rs 72,500 cr to cut reliance on imports")
CII urges govt to stick to fiscal deficit target of 4.9% of GDP for 2024-25
CII also highlighted the announcement in the Union Budget 2024-25 to keep the fiscal deficit at levels that help reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio
 "CII urges govt to stick to fiscal deficit target of 4.9% of GDP for 2024-25")
India set to become $30 trillion-economy by 2047: Dharmendra Pradhan
The Union education minister said that the New Education Policy was envisioned to create wealth and jobs
 "India set to become $30 trillion-economy by 2047: Dharmendra Pradhan")
Farmers seek low taxes, doubling PM-KISAN amount in pre-budget meet with FM
The two-hour meeting saw a detailed discussion of proposals, aimed at addressing multiple challenges in the agricultural sector, with key demands focusing on financial relief and market reforms
 "Farmers seek low taxes, doubling PM-KISAN amount in pre-budget meet with FM")
RBI policy: CRR cut to improve lenders' margins, may lift credit growth
Deposit rates may start easing
 "RBI policy: CRR cut to improve lenders' margins, may lift credit growth")
Forex reserves up $1.51 bn to $658.091 bn; end consecutive weeks of decline
For the week ended November 29, foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, increased by $2.061 billion to $568.852 billion, the data released on Friday showed
 "Forex reserves up $1.51 bn to $658.091 bn; end consecutive weeks of decline")