Economy & Policy News

Piyush Goyal flags trade barriers in first meet with EU trade chief

During the meeting, Goyal also emphasised the 'need to address long-pending issues as a confidence-building measure'

GST Council to decide on insurance premium tax; major rate rejig unlikely

Also, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST compensation cess is likely to get a six month extension till June, 2025, to submit its report. The compensation cess regime comes to an end in March, 2026

Policy rates have limited impact on food prices: MPC external members

December marked the second policy review meeting for the external members, who have a fixed four-year term

States seek higher interest-free capex loans, increased borrowing limit

Infrastructure development emerged as a key focus area, with states calling for dedicated funding for state-specific road and railway projects

Over 3.5 mn MGNREGS job cards deleted, 3.8 mn added in FY25: Govt

The programme officer, after independent verification of the facts, may direct the gram panchayat to cancel any particular job card. All additions, deletions and cancellations must be made public

India's foreign exchange reserves decline by $1.9 bn to almost 6 month low

The reserves stood at $655 billion in the week ended December 6, having declined by $3.2 billion during that week

Funds devolved to states under 15th Finance Commission higher: FM

In addition to this, the Union finance minister stated that the Centre has created an additional dispensation under SASCI for the states affected by disaster of a severe nature as assessed by the Inte

Luxury brands bulk up on low-priced products for middle-class shoppers

The companies' renewed focus on more affordable products is meant to appeal to middle-class aspirational customers who are more price sensitive

Kerala seeks Rs 24,000 cr special package to tide over liquidity crunch

Noting that elevated inflation remains a critical hurdle for growth, Balagopal also said the economy faces issues such as slow credit and deposit growth, tightening liquidity conditions, and a weaker

Telangana urges Centre to simplify IT slabs, reduce corp tax for biz ease

Telangana on Friday urged the Centre to simplify the Income Tax slabs and reduce corporate tax rates to enhance ease of doing business.

MPC minutes: Das urges focus on restoring inflation-growth balance

Along with Das, Saugata Bhattacharya, Rajiv Ranjan (Executive Director, RBI) and Michael Debabrata Patra (Deputy Governor, RBI) voted for status quo on interest rate

Rupee rebounds after hitting Rs 85.11, settles at Rs 85.02 per dollar

The rupee had settled at Rs 85.07 per dollar on Thursday

MPC minutes: External members back rate cut, say inflation hampering growth

They also support a rate cut to avoid the risk of sharp currency appreciation if India does not normalise interest rates when most other global central banks have already embarked on an easing cycle

Forex reserves drop $2 bn to $652.86 bn, a nearly six-month low: RBI data

Expressed in US dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves

Bihar attracts investment proposals of Rs 1.8 trn at global investors' meet

As many as 57 MoUs were signed in general manufacturing for Rs 55,888 crore, followed by food processing sector Rs 13,663 crore in 70 units. Sun Petrochemicals , Adani Group were among top bidders

India must use tech to decouple carbon emissions amid economic growth: EDF

India, the world's fifth-largest economy, is currently undergoing a period of swift industrialisation and economic expansion

Chhattisgarh to increase daily milk collection six-fold over next 3 years

Milk collection capacity will see a substantial increase from 79,000 kg to 500,000 kg per day and the milk processing capacity in the state will triple to 400,000 litres per day

Rajasthan to spend Rs 100 cr annually on one-district-one-product policy

From the marble statues of Sirohi to honey made in Bharatpur, each district has something distinct

India raises barriers issue faced by domestic industry with European Union

Both sides agreed to explore a balanced, equitable, ambitious and mutually beneficial FTA, it added

India's finished steel imports from China reach all-time high, shows data

Total imports of finished steel were at an eight-year high with India, the world's second-biggest crude steel producer, a net importer during the period