Page 41 - Economy & Policy News

India's US crude imports head for lowest level since Dec 2024: Here's why

India's US crude imports may fall to around 75,000 bpd in August, near 70,000 bpd in December 2024; imports had peaked at about 565,000 bpd in October 2025

Kerala, Odisha among states releasing lowest share of MPLADS funds

Kerala released just 36.6 per cent of its MPLADS allocation to vendors, while Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh recorded the largest gaps when measured in absolute rupees

MDR in future only on some merchant UPI transactions: FM Sitharaman

"No MDR framework has yet been finalised," Sitharaman said. She added that consumers would continue to make instant digital payments through UPI without paying a transaction charge

Parliament passes Bill to recognise digital bank records as evidence

The legislation replaces the colonial-era Bankers' Book Evidence Act of 1891 and provides explicit legal recognition to electronic and digital banking records

Datanomics: West Asia conflict and India's petroleum trade diversification

India's development ambitions will depend not on promises alone, but on sustained reforms, better-designed welfare, inclusive products, capable leadership and accountability

Women account for less than a third of PM-VBRY first-time employees

Of the 9.99 million first-time employees enrolled under PM-VBRY, 2.85 million were women and 7.14 million were men, according to data presented in the Lok Sabha

Railways readies ₹1.8 trn PPP pipeline, eyes private role in track creation

The Ministry of Railways has lined up 54 projects worth ₹1.8 trillion for private participation and added two new PPP models, including the Hybrid Annuity Model

E-way bill generation rises 5.98% to second-highest level in July 2026

E-way bill generation rose to 139.79 million in July from 131.91 million a year earlier, indicating sustained movement of goods and resilience in domestic trade

India has sufficient food stocks despite El Nino, West Asia crisis: Chouhan

India's foodgrain stocks topped 92 million tonnes as of July 1, with Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan saying reserves are sufficient to meet domestic demand and support exports

Panel asks Mospi to examine feasibility of statutory status for NSC again

The panel said Mospi had not provided a convincing justification for not examining statutory status for the NSC and stressed the need for statutory backing

CAG report 2024-25 signals decline in Delhi's contribution to national GDP

The economic growth and gross state domestic product of Delhi showed a "healthy trend" in 2024-25. The GSDP at Rs 12.15 lakh crore registered a growth of 9.17 per cent over the previous financial year

Govt's debt-to-GDP ratio at 58.2% in FY26, 210 bps above target of 56.1%

The government will have to cut its debt-to-GDP ratio by 260 basis points in the current financial year to meet the Budget Estimate of 55.6 per cent for FY27

No AI skills gap assessment; 47.6% of PMKVY's AI candidates certified: Govt

Of 53,449 candidates enrolled in AI-related job roles under PMKVY 4.0, 39,104 were trained, 28,345 assessed and 25,466 certified as of June 30, 2026

IFSCA asks IFSC entities to maintain valid approvals or face action

The regulator said entities must ensure continuous validity of their Letter of Approval and regulatory permissions, warning that breaches could attract penalties

Gold, silver import duty hike: Govt collects ₹10,463 crore since May 13

The import duty on gold and silver had been hiked to 15 per cent, from 6 per cent, and that on platinum to 15.4 per cent from 6.4 per cent, with effect from May 13

What MMDR Bill 2026 means for states, miners, mineral-bearing land

The MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks greater government control over mineral-bearing land and tighter rules for state taxes, cesses and other mining-related levies

Weekly policy watch: Retail, wholesale inflation data in focus this week

India's policy calendar this week will focus on retail and wholesale inflation, with both data sets offering clues on price pressures and the outlook for households, businesses

'Sunset industry' that became the frame for India's post-reforms growth

Once labelled a "sunset industry", India's steel sector has been transformed by liberalisation, private investment and consolidation into a key driver of the country's growth

MSMED amendment Bill seeks to fix late payments, ease biz for small firms

The MSMED Amendment Bill seeks faster payments, online dispute resolution and easier recovery of dues, but industry bodies flag concerns over TReDS access and implementation

Hormuz and India's neighbours: How China escaped West Asia crisis intact

By sharply reducing oil imports, China not only shielded its own economy from a supply shock (to an extent) - its impact also helped cushion the price shock for other Asian economies, analysts said