CRR is the proportion of deposits each bank must keep in the form of cash.
The sustained decline in the price of crude oil has reversed the trend in petroleum product pricing. Private retailers are looking to cut prices from next month, while public sector oil companies have shaved their losses on retail sale of petrol and diesel by more than half.
With the government making a distinction between the privately-run Reliance Natural Resources Ltd and the government-run NTPC Ltd in relation with the gas dispute with Reliance Industries Ltd, the ministry of power is likely to take up NTPC's case with the Empowered Group of Ministers.
A price of $4.20 per million British thermal units is not viable for smaller gas discoveries, say industry experts.
The subsidy burden of upstream oil companies, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Oil India Ltd, have risen 42 per cent in a single quarter.
RNRL had sought 28 mscmd of gas for 17 years at $2.34 per million British thermal units (mBtu) from Mukesh Ambani's RIL.
Rural retail was supposed to cash in on the prosperity of Bharat, but the storyline hasn't really gone the way big corporate houses had hoped.
Rural retail was supposed to cash in on the prosperity of Bharat, but the storyline hasn't really gone the way big corporate houses had hoped.
The petroleum ministry has put on back burner the proposal to create a national gas highway development authority, following an opposition from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, which currently has the powers to authorise pipelines.
Siphoning off food and fuel meant for the poor has made India's public distribution system ineffective.
The Eleventh Plan working group report, however, was based on projections of the directorate general of hydrocarbons (DGH).
However, storage capacity way behind even present public distribution system procurement need.
Delhi may become the first state to move to direct cash pay-outs of subsidies on kerosene sold through the public distribution system (PDS). The petroleum ministry said it has "welcomed" a proposal to this effect from the Planning Commission, which acted on a plan suggested by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
"For 2010-11 and beyond, the Kirit Parikh report will be the benchmark. The report is being studied.These decisions are politically sensitive issues and have to be sustained over a period of time," Petroleum Secretary S Sundareshan told Business Standard. "It is impossible to insulate the Indian consumer against the movement in international oil prices."
There is scepticism in some quarters that the Budget for 2010-11, while spreading cheer, may be skating on thin ice. For instance, some of its assumptions will give way if the non-tax revenue projections turn out to be castles in the air.
Disinvestment proceeds of the government could be higher than the estimate of Rs 25,000 crore for 2009-10. The government has already raised Rs 13,621 crore through disinvestment in four public sector companies.Dilution of stake in National Mineral Development Corporation, the fifth public sector undertaking to come out with a public offer this year, is likely to fetch the government more than the remaining Rs 11,388 crore, thereby exceeding even the revised target.
'Prices can be adjusted now. The government can even temporarily cut taxes'.
The government may take the first step towards fiscal consolidation in Budget 2010-11 by partially rolling back tax cuts given to the industry last year. The service tax rate may be restored to 12 per cent, while excise duty could be increased marginally.
The ministry of urban development has asked the finance ministry to lower the duty in order to promote the public transportation system in the country.
Mitra will take over from P V Bhide after January 31.
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