Arup Roychoudhury &Amp; Somesh Jha

Stories by Arup Roychoudhury &Amp; Somesh Jha

Revealed: Modi's plans for the economy

Revealed: Modi's plans for the economy

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2020

he government is examining a plan of bank recapitalisation and considering an urban version of MNREGS.

Covid-19 impact: Job scheme planned for urban poor, migrants

Covid-19 impact: Job scheme planned for urban poor, migrants

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2020

The plan could mature into either an umbrella programme for urban youths similar to the Garib Kalyan Rozgaar Abhiyaan or a modified urban-focused version of MGNREGS.

Banks to resume wage revision talks with TU leaders on July 22

Banks to resume wage revision talks with TU leaders on July 22

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2020

The current wage revision for PSBs, as well as some private lenders, is due from November 2017 for five years - up to October 2022.

As COVID decimates tax revenues, govt eyes higher RBI surplus this year

As COVID decimates tax revenues, govt eyes higher RBI surplus this year

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2020

The thinking at the Centre is that since the RBI has ramped up purchases of government bonds, the interest earned on them will be transferred to the exchequer as dividend.

'Why are even our sewing needles made in China?'

'Why are even our sewing needles made in China?'

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2020

'We are not able to manufacture even low-end products as cheaply as China.' 'We are not buying Chinese goods today out of any love for China.'

PNB ready to disburse Rs 16,000 crore in loans

PNB ready to disburse Rs 16,000 crore in loans

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2020

'We have already sanctioned loans worth over Rs 3,000 crore to around 120,000 customers.'

Finally some good news for 32 mn construction workers

Finally some good news for 32 mn construction workers

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2020

Apart from Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, where none of the estimated 6.7 million construction workers got cash transfer benefits, the coverage of the construction workers was the lowest in Delhi, where only about 5 per cent of the estimated workers received cash under the PMGKY, followed by Kerala and Uttar Pradesh (22 per cent), among major states. In India, construction workers belong to the unorganised sector but account for the highest share of non-farm jobs after manufacturing.

How corrupt are India's contract labour laws?

How corrupt are India's contract labour laws?

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2020

Labour

After Galwan standoff, India eyes free trade deal with US

After Galwan standoff, India eyes free trade deal with US

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2020

The trade deal, officials say, can lead to an effective trading bloc against the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Retrenched Raymond staff stare at long battle

Retrenched Raymond staff stare at long battle

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2020

The company stated that it was taking steps for cost rationalisation across all businesses to maintain liquidity and due to a prolonged slowdown it had to take a few tough measures.

Fallout of PNB buying Audis for top bosses

Fallout of PNB buying Audis for top bosses

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2020

The Centre has advised banks to make a 20 per cent reduction in expenditure related to non-core business activities, along with deferring "avoidable expenditure" on "purchase of staff cars", "refurbishment of guest houses" and on the interior decoration of administrative and back offices.

No question of removing labour laws'

No question of removing labour laws'

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2020

'A proposal to do away with labour laws is not feasible.' 'That's why we wanted to have a dialogue with the states.'

Govt readies plan to boost demand with infra spend, cash transfer

Govt readies plan to boost demand with infra spend, cash transfer

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2020

This includes an infrastructure push which may lead to the government spending more than its budgeted capital expenditure for 2020-21. There are also discussions on increasing the scope and quantum of direct cash transfers to the beneficiaries who need it the most.

Current fiscal deficit may go up to 5.3% of GDP: CEA

Current fiscal deficit may go up to 5.3% of GDP: CEA

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2020

'Given the 50 per cent or thereabouts increase in borrowing that has been announced, it is a reasonable estimate to say that at this time, an increase of 1.7-1.8 per cent on the 3.5 per cent budgeted fiscal deficit target is being anticipated,' Chief Economic Adviser Krishnamurthy Subramanian said on Friday.

Govt unlikely to tweak GST rates on non-essential items

Govt unlikely to tweak GST rates on non-essential items

Rediff.com   1 Jun 2020

Retaining the GST rate assumes importance since states are under pressure to increase their revenues, hit hard by lockdown. Also, the Centre has not fully compensated states for their revenue losses on account of GST for 2019-20.

'This was not specifically a COVID package'

'This was not specifically a COVID package'

Rediff.com   30 May 2020

'It is a package for a new self-reliant India.'

Govt wants PSUs to ramp up dividends, share buybacks

Govt wants PSUs to ramp up dividends, share buybacks

Rediff.com   28 May 2020

This comes at a time when the COVID-19 crisis is expected to derail the government's revenue maths for 2020-21, hitting the mop-up from sources such as taxes and divestment.

ILO writes to Modi, voices concerns over labour law changes

ILO writes to Modi, voices concerns over labour law changes

Rediff.com   26 May 2020

ILO acts upon a plea by 10 central trade unions objecting to the ordinances proposed to temporarily scrap labour laws in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, along with executive orders issued by at least 10 states to increase the daily working limit to 12 hours from eight hours, along with other labour law changes.

Why the recent rejig in labour laws by states won't help much

Why the recent rejig in labour laws by states won't help much

Rediff.com   25 May 2020

Labour law changes for three years may not be enough as it takes a couple of years for factories to build and operations at a proper scale start only in the third or fourth year.

How states can avail extra borrowing from the markets

How states can avail extra borrowing from the markets

Rediff.com   20 May 2020

These conditions are implementation of the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme, ease of doing business, power sector reforms, and urban local body reforms.