Page 44 - Economy & Policy News
War impact: India's overall airline capacity declines 0.2% in April
West Asia tensions dent international travel demand, dragging down India's airline capacity in April despite steady domestic growth and rising fares
 "War impact: India's overall airline capacity declines 0.2% in April")
Charities, trade bodies come under Income-Tax Department scrutiny
Tax authorities flag certain receipts as 'commercial', citing possible violation of Section 2(15)
 "Charities, trade bodies come under Income-Tax Department scrutiny")
Fertiliser subsidy beats FY26 Revised Estimates, experts seek policy shift
India's fertiliser subsidy has exceeded FY26 Revised Estimates, prompting experts to call for policy reforms, including rational pricing, curbs on overuse, and bringing urea under the NBS regime
 "Fertiliser subsidy beats FY26 Revised Estimates, experts seek policy shift")
Two Niti Aayog reports reveal gaps in India's policy approach towards EVs
Two recent Niti Aayog reports show near-identical projections but differ on EV subsidies and fuel efficiency norms, triggering debate within the automobile industry
 "Two Niti Aayog reports reveal gaps in India's policy approach towards EVs")
India's Russian oil imports more than triple to 5.3 bn euro in Mar
European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), in a report, said after a drop in purchases in February, India was back to a buying binge in March
 "India's Russian oil imports more than triple to 5.3 bn euro in Mar")
Oil shock may slow India's growth by up to 80 bps: S&P Global Ratings
Higher energy prices may persist for months, crimping economic activity, however, strong corporate balance sheets, well-capitalised banks provide buffers against impact, S&P said in a report
 "Oil shock may slow India's growth by up to 80 bps: S&P Global Ratings")
OMCs losing ₹18/litre on petrol, ₹35 on diesel amid price freeze: Macquarie
While the government cut excise duty on fuels by ₹10 per litre in March, central levies have been on a declining trend and now stand at ₹11.9 per litre on petrol and ₹7.8 per litre on diesel
 "OMCs losing ₹18/litre on petrol, ₹35 on diesel amid price freeze: Macquarie")
Iran war threatens to push 2.5 mn people in India into poverty: UNDP report
The United Nations Development Programme in its report noted that poverty is expected to rise from around 400,000 to 2.5 million in India
 "Iran war threatens to push 2.5 mn people in India into poverty: UNDP report")
SVAMITVA boosts rural credit access, loan amounts rise 23%: EAC-PM
SVAMITVA scheme is boosting rural credit access, with property cards enabling households to use land as collateral and increasing sanctioned loan amounts by 23%
 "SVAMITVA boosts rural credit access, loan amounts rise 23%: EAC-PM")
India receives first Iranian crude oil shipment after seven years
India was once among the largest importers of Iranian crude, attracted by favourable pricing, extended credit terms, and logistical advantages
 "India receives first Iranian crude oil shipment after seven years")
West Asia crisis: Export of recycled metals hit as war-risk charges persist
Indian exporters continue to face steep war-risk and freight charges despite a ceasefire, with rising logistics costs eroding margins and disrupting supply chains
 "West Asia crisis: Export of recycled metals hit as war-risk charges persist")
APAs may remain relevant despite expanded safe harbour regime
Experts say advance pricing agreements will continue to be preferred by large firms for flexibility, certainty, and cross-border alignment despite simplified safe harbour rules
Chatroom: Practical guidance on interest, EOU exemption and EPCG reporting
TNC Rajagopalan answers readers' SME queries related to GST, export and import matters
 "Chatroom: Practical guidance on interest, EOU exemption and EPCG reporting")
Retail inflation rises to 3.4% in March on higher food, fuel prices
India's retail inflation rose to 3.4% in March, driven by higher food and fuel prices, with economists warning of further upside risks amid global uncertainties
 "Retail inflation rises to 3.4% in March on higher food, fuel prices")
Commerce Minister Goyal holds talks with his Omani counterpart on trade
In the last few days, Goyal has held discussions with the trade ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait
 "Commerce Minister Goyal holds talks with his Omani counterpart on trade")
Private firms' bond, debenture investments surge sharply in FY25: RBI
During this period, corporate bond issuances increased to ₹9.87 lakh crore in FY25, compared to ₹8.38 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year
 "Private firms' bond, debenture investments surge sharply in FY25: RBI")
RBI data shows slower sales growth for private firms at 11.4% in FY25
Sales growth in the manufacturing sector moderated marginally to 9.2 per cent in 2024-25 from 9.4 per cent in the previous year
 "RBI data shows slower sales growth for private firms at 11.4% in FY25")
Women account for 26% of India's credit, portfolio hits ₹76 trillion
Women now account for 26% of India's credit system, with outstanding portfolio rising to Rs 76 trillion, driven by digital lending and growth in entrepreneurship
 "Women account for 26% of India's credit, portfolio hits ₹76 trillion")
Southwest monsoon season rainfall likely to be below normal, says IMD
India is likely to receive 80 cm of rainfall during the season - the long period average (1971-2020) of the seasonal rainfall over India is 87 cm
 "Southwest monsoon season rainfall likely to be below normal, says IMD")
Iran denies charging toll for Indian tankers transiting Strait of Hormuz
India says 15 India-flagged vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf
 "Iran denies charging toll for Indian tankers transiting Strait of Hormuz")