Economy
Make 2025 year of poverty-free villages, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Addressing a virtual review meeting with state rural development ministers, Chouhan said that few villages in every block could be identified for ideal implementation of all the schemes
 "Make 2025 year of poverty-free villages, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan")
Rural poverty ratio fell below 5% in FY24 for the first time: SBI Research
In comparison, the poverty ratio in urban areas fell to 4.09 per cent from 4.6 per cent during the same period
 "Rural poverty ratio fell below 5% in FY24 for the first time: SBI Research")
Manufacturing sector sees decline in productivity, says ASUSE survey
Notably, the rise in GVA per worker is the highest in manufacturing when the survey for 2015-16 is compared to the latest one
 "Manufacturing sector sees decline in productivity, says ASUSE survey")
Centre pushes transfer to states to meet capital expenditure goals
Experts feel despite government efforts there has been a lag in capex pick up but there is a good case for continued push towards such expenditure
 "Centre pushes transfer to states to meet capital expenditure goals")
Widening the security net: Framework for gig workers set for June launch
Labour lawyer B C Prabhakar said that since the new labour codes are not yet implemented, it is pertinent that the government come up with a holistic framework for welfare of this bulging workforce
 "Widening the security net: Framework for gig workers set for June launch")
RBI removes biz restrictions on Kolkata-based Arohan Financial Services
On October 17, the regulator directed four non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to cease and desist from sanctioning and disbursing loans
 "RBI removes biz restrictions on Kolkata-based Arohan Financial Services")
FISME recommends govt measures to address impact of protectionist policies
During a meeting with Chief Economic Advisor V Nageswaran, FISME representatives outlined several key recommendations to address these pressing issues
 "FISME recommends govt measures to address impact of protectionist policies")
India's exports to cross $800 billion this fiscal year: Piyush Goyal
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said despite global economic uncertainties, India's exports of goods and services are expected to cross USD 800 billion, which will be a record.
 "India's exports to cross $800 billion this fiscal year: Piyush Goyal")
Forex reserves decreased by $4.11 bn to $640.27 bn as of Dec 27: RBI
For the week ended December 27, foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, decreased by $4.641 billion to $551.921 billion, the data released on Friday showed
 "Forex reserves decreased by $4.11 bn to $640.27 bn as of Dec 27: RBI")
Rupee logs 9th straight week of losses, analysts expect more weakness
The rupee may touch the 86-per-dollar mark in the short term, said Jigar Trivedi, a senior analyst at Reliance Securities, who recommends buying the dollar-rupee pair on every dip
 "Rupee logs 9th straight week of losses, analysts expect more weakness")
Why India and China should admit that their economies are intertwined
A lot has changed. Both nations are more than a little concerned about how they will revive slowing growth
 "Why India and China should admit that their economies are intertwined")
172 mn jobs created during 2014-24; 46 mn in FY24: Mansukh Mandaviya
He also highlighted that there has been tremendous growth in youth employment and a reduction in unemployment rates, as evidenced by the latest PLFS
 "172 mn jobs created during 2014-24; 46 mn in FY24: Mansukh Mandaviya")
Punjab's revenue from VAT, CST, GST crosses Rs 30,000 cr in Apr-Dec: Cheema
Cheema said the state has also witnessed a significant increase in its net GST and excise revenue for December 2024 compared to December 2023
 "Punjab's revenue from VAT, CST, GST crosses Rs 30,000 cr in Apr-Dec: Cheema")
India's manufacturing PMI slips to 12-month low of 56.4 in December
Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC, said that India's manufacturing activity ended a strong 2024 on soft note, amidst more signs of a slowing trend, albeit moderate, in industrial sector
 "India's manufacturing PMI slips to 12-month low of 56.4 in December")
Looking at resuming crude oil supply to India, expanding trade basket: Iran
"It is important to address this issue," the Iranian official said on resumption of supply of Iranian crude oil to India
 "Looking at resuming crude oil supply to India, expanding trade basket: Iran")
NHAI explores ways to enhance the enforcement of global standards
This came after projects inaugurated by Modi saw quality defects, such as stretches of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, prompting criticism on social media
 "NHAI explores ways to enhance the enforcement of global standards")
India's 2025 fuel exports may face heat from geopolitics, Houthi attacks
Attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels since October 2023 on ships crossing the Suez Canal have hurt sales of transport fuel shipments from India
 "India's 2025 fuel exports may face heat from geopolitics, Houthi attacks")
Gadkari announces roadworks worth Rs 12,000 cr to ease Delhi's traffic woes
The projects are aimed at decongesting traffic entering the Delhi-NCR region, and will reduce traffic jams as well as cut pollution in the national capital
 "Gadkari announces roadworks worth Rs 12,000 cr to ease Delhi's traffic woes")
Himachal to allocate 22 new hydropower projects of 828 MW capacity: Sukhu
The projects, ranging from 6.5 MW to 400 MW, are located across the districts of Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Shimla
 "Himachal to allocate 22 new hydropower projects of 828 MW capacity: Sukhu")
India-EFTA trade pact may come into force before end of 2025: Goyal
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
 "India-EFTA trade pact may come into force before end of 2025: Goyal")
