Economy
Commerce Min, Indian mission officials to hold talks to boost exports
Besides Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Amardeep Singh Bhatia would also address the officials
 "Commerce Min, Indian mission officials to hold talks to boost exports")
Now-defunct Dhanalakshmi scheme improved outcomes for girl-child: Study
A new study by US-based researchers finds widespread social change and that preference for a girl child continues even after discontinuation of the schemed
 "Now-defunct Dhanalakshmi scheme improved outcomes for girl-child: Study")
Statsguru: India's forest and tree cover at 25.17% of total land area
Forest fire detections saw a considerable drop from the 2020-21 cycle. Odisha and Madhya Pradesh witnessed the bulk of forest fire incidents
 "Statsguru: India's forest and tree cover at 25.17% of total land area")
Weakening rupee may not be shot in the arm for India's pharma exporters
The rupee has been hovering above Rs 85 mark vis-a-vis the US dollar in the recent past
 "Weakening rupee may not be shot in the arm for India's pharma exporters")
Working on strategy to push growth of exports in goods, services: Goyal
In 2024-25, the exports are expected to cross $800 billion. It was $778 billion in the previous fiscal year
 "Working on strategy to push growth of exports in goods, services: Goyal")
FDI in India surging as global investors see top destination: Piyush Goyal
He said that global investors are showing keen interest in India as the country offers several advantages such as strong domestic market, skilled and talented workforce and rule of law
 "FDI in India surging as global investors see top destination: Piyush Goyal")
Boosting infra, empowering youth in rural areas a priority: PM Modi
At the inauguration of Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of creating economic policies that take into account every section of the society to strengthen the
 "Boosting infra, empowering youth in rural areas a priority: PM Modi")
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.
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")
