Economy
Over Rs 11.8 trn locked in direct tax litigation, FM informs Rajya Sabha
For indirect taxes, 82,011 cases are pending, with a locked revenue of Rs 5.76 trillion as of January 31, 2025
 "Over Rs 11.8 trn locked in direct tax litigation, FM informs Rajya Sabha")
India, New Zealand aim to finalise comprehensive FTA within two months
Goyal said that there are hardly any areas where both countries compete. However, there are a few areas of sensitivity, but they can be navigated with mutual respect
 "India, New Zealand aim to finalise comprehensive FTA within two months")
Ashtalakshmi vision: Centre cites gains, Oppn points to Manipur unrest
The Centre highlights a decade of development under PM Modi, while the Opposition criticises its handling of Manipur unrest and the PM's continued absence from the state
 "Ashtalakshmi vision: Centre cites gains, Oppn points to Manipur unrest")
Factors of production being reset post-Covid, compensation has risen: FM
The FM said that India's household debt to GDP ratio was far lower compared to its peer group and some of the advanced economies
 "Factors of production being reset post-Covid, compensation has risen: FM")
Govt looks to increase RRTS lines, but funding, viability questions remain
Even though the cost savings in time-value metrics are significant, the RRTS routes are yet to find a viable public-private financing model
 "Govt looks to increase RRTS lines, but funding, viability questions remain")
Six years on, has PM-Kisan lived up to its promise of farmer relief?
The programme, meant to give a helping hand to small farmers, is the world's largest direct benefit transfer scheme and unarguably the Modi-led government's most ambitious
 "Six years on, has PM-Kisan lived up to its promise of farmer relief?")
Reaping gains: Role of phosphorous and potash in Indian agriculture
Phosphorous helps in root development, flowering, seed formation, photosynthesis and disease resistance, while potash provides plant resistance from disease and stress
 "Reaping gains: Role of phosphorous and potash in Indian agriculture")
New Zealand PM Luxon hasn't given up on dairy in trade deal with India
New Zealand efforts to secure better access to India's huge markets have foundered in the past, in particular because India wants to shield its dairy industry from imports
 "New Zealand PM Luxon hasn't given up on dairy in trade deal with India")
'Merchanting trade' includes supply of goods within same foreign country
The CBEC Circular no.38/97-Customs dated 19th September 1997 says that any group company having status recognition as 'export house' under the FTP can give the corporate guarantee
 "'Merchanting trade' includes supply of goods within same foreign country")
42% of director positions vacant on boards of 12 public sector banks
The Ministry of Finance, in a reply in Lok Sabha, said that the PSBs intimate the vacancies on the board of the bank and difficulties faced by them, if any, from time to time
 "42% of director positions vacant on boards of 12 public sector banks")
Datanomics: More Chinese market access may help counter Trump tariff impact
While India can look for innovative ideas to balance it out, one of the options available may be to persuade China to give it more market access
 "Datanomics: More Chinese market access may help counter Trump tariff impact")
Net direct tax collections rise 13% to Rs 21.3 trn till March 16 of FY25
Advance tax collections jump 14.6% during the period
 "Net direct tax collections rise 13% to Rs 21.3 trn till March 16 of FY25")
India's exports shrink 10.9% in February, the worst show in 20 months
Imports also see first drop in 11 months, bringing trade deficit to over 3-yr low
Govt assessing gains, challenges from US tariffs: Commerce secy Barthwal
Barthwal said govt is carrying out stakeholder consultations and assessing challenges, opportunities, and the broader impact of the additional tariffs imposed by the US on Indian exports
 "Govt assessing gains, challenges from US tariffs: Commerce secy Barthwal")
India, New Zealand explore digital payments, trade, and investment ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kiwi PM promise to quickly designate representatives for trade talks
 "India, New Zealand explore digital payments, trade, and investment ties")
RBI increases state bond auction amount to Rs 52,120 cr from Rs 40,120 cr
In the previous auction, the cut-off yield on 10-year state bonds was set in the range of 7.18 per cent to 7.27 per cent
 "RBI increases state bond auction amount to Rs 52,120 cr from Rs 40,120 cr")
Brics mulling national currencies to foster trade: Brazil Ambassador
Brazil is optimistic about participation of economic actors, civil society, and businesses in the US to fight climate change
 "Brics mulling national currencies to foster trade: Brazil Ambassador")
Net direct tax kitty rises 13% to Rs 21.26 trillion so far in FY25
During the year, the government collected Rs 10.44 trillion from four instalments of advance tax as against Rs 9.11 trillion in the previous fiscal, registering a growth of 14.62 per cent
 "Net direct tax kitty rises 13% to Rs 21.26 trillion so far in FY25")
India's carbon market set for 2026 launch, BEE director reveals
Saurabh Diddi, director at Bureau of Energy Efficiency, explains India's carbon credit trading scheme, which includes mandatory compliance and voluntary offsets, aiming for a 2026 launch
 "India's carbon market set for 2026 launch, BEE director reveals")
India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to $14.05 billion in February
Merchandise trade deficit for March was $14.05 billion, compared with economists' forecast of $21.65 billion
 "India's merchandise trade deficit narrows to $14.05 billion in February")
