Page 79 - Economy & Policy News
Strong political push to seal FTA with India by 2025 end: EU ambassador
"No doubt, there is a strong political commitment to conclude the FTA negotiations by the end of the year," he added
 "Strong political push to seal FTA with India by 2025 end: EU ambassador")
Indian economy on strong footing, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
Commerce minister Piyush Goyal said the economy is on a strong footing despite global turmoil, citing Q2 growth and export gains in October-November
 "Indian economy on strong footing, says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal")
Quality-adjusted HDI shows gaps in human development across states: CSEP
States like Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, which have high scores in traditional HDI and are praised for their success, show some of the largest gaps once quality factors are taken into consideration
 "Quality-adjusted HDI shows gaps in human development across states: CSEP")
DPIIT chief asks industry to make realistic demands on deregulation, safety
DPIIT secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia urged industry to seek "realistic" regulatory relaxations, balancing ease of doing business with public safety, as panels review laws to cut compliance burden
 "DPIIT chief asks industry to make realistic demands on deregulation, safety")
Implementation of new labour codes likely by April 2026: Labour Minister
Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said draft rules under four new labour codes will be pre-published soon, with full implementation and social security coverage expected by April 2026
 "Implementation of new labour codes likely by April 2026: Labour Minister")
Centre moves tobacco, pan masala levy Bills, seeks to retain mopup
New excise and cess proposals aim to boost central revenue as GST compensation period ends; states won't share proceeds
 "Centre moves tobacco, pan masala levy Bills, seeks to retain mopup")
India's services PMI rises to 59.8 in Nov on 'historically sharp' expansion
November services PMI: Companies added more jobs in November, but the increase was mild and at a similar pace as compared to the last two months
 "India's services PMI rises to 59.8 in Nov on 'historically sharp' expansion")
Indian entrepreneurs need to think global to meet customer needs: Goenka
Anant Goenka optimistic on demand revival, outlines budget priorities including defense, electronics hubs, and export incentives
 "Indian entrepreneurs need to think global to meet customer needs: Goenka")
Sanctions, logistics issues take a toll on India's exports to Russia
Oil imports drive surge; engineering exports dip as sanctions, logistics, and market access hamper outbound growth
 "Sanctions, logistics issues take a toll on India's exports to Russia")
Short-covering drives rupee towards 90 vs dollar as pressure returns
Hits new closing low of 89.88/$; Hits 89.96/$ intraday
 "Short-covering drives rupee towards 90 vs dollar as pressure returns")
To bridge trade gap, India and Russia may cut duties, ease barriers
Russia eyes mobility pact, duty cuts and sanctions-proof oil trade; major defence deals unlikely at annual summit
 "To bridge trade gap, India and Russia may cut duties, ease barriers")
OECD retains India FY26 growth outlook at 6.7% amid US tariff risks
OECD has kept India's FY26 growth forecast unchanged at 6.7% and FY27 at 6.2%, citing easing monetary policy and public capex, while warning that higher US tariffs could hit exports
 "OECD retains India FY26 growth outlook at 6.7% amid US tariff risks")
India's palm oil imports edge up in Nov as buyers shift from costlier oils
Meanwhile, soyoil imports fell 12 per cent to 400,000 tons, and sunflower oil imports slid 44 per cent to a two-year low of 145,000 tons, according to dealer estimates
 "India's palm oil imports edge up in Nov as buyers shift from costlier oils")
India in a 'sweet spot', GDP growthto be over 7% in FY26: Ficci President
The newly appointed President, who is also Vice-Chairman of RPG group, said that the chamber will also work with states on further improving the business climate of the country
 "India in a 'sweet spot', GDP growthto be over 7% in FY26: Ficci President")
IIP growth slips to 14-month low of 0.4% in October as output weakens
India's industrial output slowed sharply to 0.4 per cent in October-the weakest in 14 months-hit by fewer working days, a decline in electricity generation
 "IIP growth slips to 14-month low of 0.4% in October as output weakens")
India's current account deficit moderates to 1.3% of GDP in Q2FY26
India's current account deficit narrowed sharply in Q2FY26 on lower trade gaps and strong remittances. But a spike in gold imports in October could push the Q3 deficit above 2.5 per cent of GDP
 "India's current account deficit moderates to 1.3% of GDP in Q2FY26")
US tariffs weigh as manufacturing PMI slows to 9-month low in November
The headline HSBC purchasing managers index (PMI) figure, compiled by S&P Global, for November fell sharply to 56.6 from 59.2 in October
 "US tariffs weigh as manufacturing PMI slows to 9-month low in November")
Seeing a blip: MGNREGA work demand is down nearly 32%, shows data
Some experts said that drop in demand is mainly due to an improvement in economic activity in rural areas
 "Seeing a blip: MGNREGA work demand is down nearly 32%, shows data")
Tax turbulence: Revenues take a hit in first full month of GST 2.0
Other macro indicators give mixed signals; car sales stay strong
 "Tax turbulence: Revenues take a hit in first full month of GST 2.0")
Govt seeks Parliament nod for ₹41k crore additional spending in FY26
First supplementary demands for grants tabled in Parliament focus on fertiliser and petroleum subsidies amid rising costs