Page 4 - Cii

Current environment conducive for private investments: CII survey

Recent advance growth estimates released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) have projected investment demand, represented by gross fixed capital formation, to grow 6.4 per cent

CII suggests 10-point agenda on ease of biz reforms ahead of Budget

Ahead of the upcoming Budget, industry body CII on Sunday suggested a 10-point agenda to drive ease of doing business reforms, aimed at reducing compliance burden, simplifying regulatory frameworks, and improving transparency. Among the "urgent policy interventions", the industry body has recommended that all regulatory approvals -- central, state and local levels -- must mandatorily be provided only through the National Single Window System. It has also pitched for expediting the process of dispute resolution by improving the capacity of courts and placing greater reliance on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism. For streamlining environmental compliances, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said, a unified framework could be introduced, which consolidates all requirements into a single document. Emphasising that easy access to land is important to facilitate new or expanding businesses, it said that states may be incentivised to develop an online integrated land ...

Capex should be ramped up by 25% over BE: CII President Sanjiv Puri

CII President Sanjiv Puri said that exports are facing headwinds while suggesting measures such as minimum import and anti-dumping duty

Expect RBI to cut rates next month, Budget must focus on job creation: CII

Industry body CII expects the RBI to cut the benchmark interest rates next month to support sagging growth, its President Sanjiv Puri said on Wednesday and stressed the need to boost job creation through targeted interventions for labour-intensive sectors in the upcoming Budget. In an interview with PTI, Puri flagged "sticky" food inflation, highlighting the need to build agricultural resilience and de-linking it from the interest rates under the inflation targeting framework, arguing that it is on account of climate change and not really influenced by the monetary policy. Puri is also the Chairman and Managing Director of ITC. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is slated to present the Budget in Parliament on February 1. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) chief also expressed optimism that much-needed labour reforms will be taken up by the BJP-led NDA government in the third term, stressing that it would benefit the economy and create more jobs. Puri also raised the issu

CII proposes seven-point agenda to boost employment generation in budget

The upcoming annual budget for FY26 could announce further measures to boost employment generation, CII said on Sunday, emphasising that job creation at a mass scale is important to engage the young population productively, and drive inclusive growth in the world's most populous nation. The industry body has suggested a seven-point agenda to harness India's demographic dividend, including an integrated national employment policy, support to labour-intensive sectors, and setting up an international mobility authority, among other targeted measures. With a median age of just 29 years, India is a young country, and is set to add 133 million people to its working-age population by 2050. The government could consider launching an internship programme in government offices in rural areas for the college-educated youth, CII said. It argued that this initiative would create short-term employment opportunities in government offices while bridging the gap between education and professional .

High rates, declining finance impacting exporters' competitiveness: CII

Indian exporters are grappling with significant liquidity challenges due to high interest rates and a decline in export finance, which are undermining their competitiveness, according to Sanjay Budhia, Chairman of the CII National Committee on EXIM. To address these issues, he said, the government and banks must work together to provide effective solutions. Budhia suggested the government extend the interest equalisation scheme, which ended on December 31, 2024, for three years for all manufacturing exporters, including MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises). The longer period extension of the scheme would be a crucial step, as its limited extension leaves Indian manufacturers at a disadvantage, he added. "Exporters are indeed facing significant challenges on the liquidity front, with high interest rates and declining export finance impacting their competitiveness," he told PTI. MSME exporters, who form the backbone of India's export ecosystem, would benefit greatly from ...

CII calls for fuel excise cut, consumption vouchers to boost demand

Industry body CII in its budget suggestions for 2025-26 has recommended lowering the excise duty on fuel to boost consumption, especially at the lower income level, arguing that fuel prices significantly drive inflation. The budget could also consider reducing marginal tax rates for personal income up to Rs 20 lakh per annum. This would help trigger the virtuous cycle of consumption, higher growth and higher tax revenue, said CII. Asserting that the gap between the highest marginal rate for individuals at 42.74 per cent and the normal Corporate Tax Rate at 25.17 per cent, is high, it said, inflation has reduced the buying power of lower and middle-income earners. "The central excise duty alone accounts for approximately 21 per cent of the retail price for petrol and 18 per cent for diesel. Since May 2022, these duties have not been adjusted in line with the approximately 40 per cent decrease in global crude prices. Lowering excise duty on fuel would help reduce overall inflation and

CII calls for reforms in priority sector lending framework ahead of Budget

The CII pointed out that despite being successful, the PSL framework required recalibration to stay relevant

CII proposes reforms in India's priority sector lending framework

Industry body CII has proposed reforms in India's Priority Sector Lending (PSL) framework, suggesting inclusion of emerging sectors and high-impact sectors like digital infrastructure, green initiatives, healthcare, and innovative manufacturing. Arguing that current Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) like SIDBI and NaBFID (National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development) have their roles cut out as they have earmarked sectors to finance, the chamber also suggested setting up of a high level committee to look at the revision of PSL norms and explore the need for any new DFIs to cater to some of the new and emerging sectors. Priority Sector Lending is a policy tool aimed at ensuring that key sectors crucial to the nation's development receive adequate financial support. Mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), PSL obligates banks to allocate a specified proportion of their loans to sectors such as agriculture, education, housing, and small industries. The framework

About 4 out of 10 individuals in rural, semi-urban India prefer UPI: Report

Yet UPI is the most preferred mode of financial transactions in such regions

'Pressure' from India Inc to raise duties: Industry secretary Bhatia

India has also been working to finalise free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and trade blocs like the European Union, facing immense pressure to reduce tariffs

55% Indian grads to be globally employable in 2025, says CII report

The report says that key states like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi are emerging as major hubs for employable talent

CII urges govt to stick to fiscal deficit target of 4.9% of GDP for 2024-25

Industry body CII has suggested the government to stick to the fiscal deficit target of 4.9 per cent of GDP for 2024-25 and 4.5 per cent for 2025-26, cautioning that "overly aggressive targets" beyond these could adversely affect India's economic growth. "India has been growing rapidly amidst a slowing global economy. Prudent fiscal management for macroeconomic stability has been pivotal to this growth," said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, elaborating on suggestions for the forthcoming Union Budget. 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. In preparation for this, the forthcoming budget could lay out a glide path to bring the central government's debt to below 50 per cent of GDP in the medium term (by 2030-31), and below 40 per cent of GDP in the long term, CII has suggested. Such an explicit target will have a positive impact on India's sovereign credit rating and ...

Housing shortage to reach 31.2 mn units by 2030: CII-Knight Frank report

India is estimated to have a cumulative affordable housing shortage of 31.2 million units by 2030 with a potential market size of Rs 67 trillion, according to a joint report by CII and Knight Frank. Industry body CII and real estate consultant Knight Frank India on Wednesday released a joint report 'Affordable Housing in India' at a conference here, pointing out that there is already an existing shortage of 10.1 million units. Addressing the event, Ghulam Zia, Senior Executive Director, Research, Advisory, Infrastructure & Valuation at Knight Frank India, pointed out the shortage of affordable housing in India, presenting a huge business opportunity for real estate developers. "The cumulative Affordable housing shortage in India is projected to reach 31.2 million by 2030, with the market size estimated at Rs 67 trillion," he said. The affordable housing segment also could provide a lot of opportunities for financial institutions. "Based on the assumption of a 77 per cent loan ...

CII body calls for expansion of PLI for medical devices to more products

CII's medtech group to ask govt for strict policy on import of refurbished devices, incentives in R&D, and enhanced rebate on export duties

Govt initiatives like PLI helping attract foreign investors in India: CII

The government initiatives such as Make in India and production linked incentive schemes for different sectors are helping attract foreign investors to set up bases in India, according to industry chamber CII. In a letter to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said that the government's increased investments in infrastructure such as roads, railways and ports are making the domestic industry more competitive. The policy shift within India has also occurred at the same time as geopolitical conditions have become favourable for India, with many global companies looking to diversify their geographical base, the letter, dated November 5, said. "FDI inflows have increased from USD 45.14 billion in 2014-15 to USD 70.95 billion in 2023-24, indicating the growing interest of foreign investors for setting up base in India," it said, adding that the PLI schemes have attracted huge investments. It added that India's manufacturing capabilities

Industry bodies urge Finance Ministry to ease TDS rate structure

Proposal seeks to lessen compliance burden on taxpayers and avoid litigation

CII asks for more reforms in tax code, sustaining capex in FY26 Budget

Industry chamber CII on Thursday pitched for further reforms in the tax system, including through simplification of taxes, as well as sustaining the capital investment momentum in the Budget for 2025-26. In a meeting with Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra, CII urged the government to increase the capex by 25 per cent over 2024-25 (BE) with a sharp focus on infrastructure related to rural areas, agriculture, and the social sector. The Budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year is set to be presented on February 1, 2025. CII President Sanjiv Puri said given the intrinsic strength of the economy and with growth aspirations of the people, this is an opportune time for India to design a blueprint and a template outlining the next phase of reforms. "India has emerged as the beacon of stability and growth in a fraught world, in the last decade. We are looking at the Union Budget to further consolidate this position and create a competitive India, that is prosperous, inclusive, equitable, environm

BEML aims for Rs 900 cr capex till FY25, re-enters building equipment space

BEML has outlined a capital expenditure of Rs 900 crore till FY'25 and re-entered the construction equipment market after a hiatus of nearly five years, aiming to capitalise on the Rs 45,000 crore market opportunity. The company, formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited, recently underwent a significant business restructuring, establishing 11 strategic business units (SBUs) and two micro business units to drive sustainable long-term growth. As part of this restructuring, we have re-entered the construction equipment business, focusing on higher capacity products to tap into the massive Rs 45,000 crore market, Shantanu Roy, Chairman and Managing Director of BEML, told reporters on the sidelines of the 17th Global Mining Summit organised by the CII. BEML's earlier exit from the construction equipment space was due to intense competition from imported products. Roy, however, explained that the company is now targeting higher-capacity equipment, such as 20-30 tonne excavators and dumpers,

Ratan Tata stood as a tall mentor and guide for us all: CII President Puri

Ratan Tata was an institution in himself, not just India's leading and noblest business titan, Hinduja Group Chairman GP Hinduja said on Thursday. In his condolence message at the demise of the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Hinduja said Tata will always live on in the countless Indians whom he touched with his professional and philanthropic deeds. "Ratan Tata was not just India's leading and noblest business titan; he was an institution in himself. Ratan added many enduring chapters to the Tata Legacy by taking it global," he said. Stating that Tata truly represented India's aspirations, Hinduja said, "He will always live on in the countless Indians whom he touched with his professional and philanthropic deeds. Tata (86) died late on Wednesday evening in a Mumbai hospital following age-related health conditions.