Arup Roychoudhury

Stories by Arup Roychoudhury

Indian Railways' heritage routes likely to be monetised

Indian Railways' heritage routes likely to be monetised

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2019

The railways heritage lines that are part of the UNESCO-accorded sites list include Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Kalka Shimla Railway.

Govt sets October deadline for sale of Air India

Govt sets October deadline for sale of Air India

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2019

Sources in the know said the government would initiate talks with businesses, including Tatas, shortly for divesting its stake in the national carrier.

As things turn sour, Jalan panel hopes to pacify FinMin

As things turn sour, Jalan panel hopes to pacify FinMin

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2019

The main difference of opinion between RBI and FinMin is over the transfer of the RBI's 'excess' capital reserves. The Jalan panel seeks to convince finance secretary Subhash Garg to soften his dissent note language. The move is aimed at maintaining the now-cordial relations between the RBI and the finance ministry.

Budget: Divestment target likely to be retained at Rs 90,000 crore

Budget: Divestment target likely to be retained at Rs 90,000 crore

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2019

The divestment target remaining unchanged, from the 2019-20 interim Budget, this year means the Centre will now have to depend on non-tax revenue sources like dividends from the RBI, PSBs and PSUs, as there are real concerns of a tax revenue shortfall. The fiscal deficit target of 3.4% of GDP for 2019-20 is likely to be retained as well.

Fiscal deficit reaches 52% of target in 2 months

Fiscal deficit reaches 52% of target in 2 months

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2019

It was 55.3 per cent for the same period last year, and data shows the fiscal deficit for April-May was kept in reasonable check in spite of heavy frontloading of expenditure.

Air India sale: Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri likely to be in new GoM

Air India sale: Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri likely to be in new GoM

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2019

The government is planning to liberalise the terms and conditions for the sale of the national carrier. The Centre is still pursuing the option of selling the airline's subsidiaries before the airline itself, in order to deal with an outstanding debt of around Rs 27,000 crore.

Modi starts pre-Budget meets to brainstorm on economy

Modi starts pre-Budget meets to brainstorm on economy

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2019

Tuesday's meeting at the PM's residence, attended by all the five secretaries in the finance ministry besides top officials of other economic ministries and NITI Aayog, cleared a five-year vision plan for the government to make India a $5-trillion economy by 2024.

Budget 2019: Why FM likely to stick to fiscal deficit target at 3.4% of GDP

Budget 2019: Why FM likely to stick to fiscal deficit target at 3.4% of GDP

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2019

Budget-makers in North Block are looking to maintain this fiscal status quo, in spite of tax revenues nowhere close to where the government wants and in spite of possible higher expenditure commitments.

What economists and FM Sitharaman discussed in pre-Budget meet

What economists and FM Sitharaman discussed in pre-Budget meet

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2019

Concerned by GDP slowdown and unrealistic tax targets, the economists urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to implement long-term structural steps like land and labour reforms. Warning against any off-Budget financing the economists said the government should prepare a statement of intent for its social, rural and welfare sector expenditure.

A peculiar problem plagues India's AI roadmap

A peculiar problem plagues India's AI roadmap

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2019

National artificial intelligence unit stuck for lack of anchor department

What Sitharaman did after becoming the finance minister

What Sitharaman did after becoming the finance minister

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2019

This is not her first stint in North Block or in leading a major economic ministry. She started Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term as minister of state for finance, was made the commerce minister, and then became the defence minister.

Will petro products finally come under GST?

Will petro products finally come under GST?

Rediff.com   27 May 2019

The new government may also introduce a separate scheme for revival of stranded gas-based power projects

How Modi govt plans to spur economic growth

How Modi govt plans to spur economic growth

Rediff.com   27 May 2019

There is talk of a fresh approach to a new labour code as well as reforming land acquisition laws in such a way as to be politically.

Biggest challenge facing Modi 2.0

Biggest challenge facing Modi 2.0

Rediff.com   24 May 2019

The incoming government will have to encourage private investments, bring down cost of capital

What's up in India's second largest constituency?

What's up in India's second largest constituency?

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2019

BJP banks on Modi, Congress on its candidate Manvendra Singh in Barmer, India's largest constituency by area after Ladakh.

Will Jet finally end up in bankruptcy court?

Will Jet finally end up in bankruptcy court?

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2019

Government officials were struggling to understand why the lenders denied emergency funds even after giving verbal assurances on providing Rs 1,200 crore.

Arun Jaitley to attend annual IMF-World Bank meeting in April

Arun Jaitley to attend annual IMF-World Bank meeting in April

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2019

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg are also expected to attend the meetings.

Jet lenders may move into cockpit, replace board

Jet lenders may move into cockpit, replace board

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2019

According to the revised plan, promoter Naresh Goyal, his wife Anita Goyal and the directors nominated by the promoter would be asked to step down from the board, and the lenders, as part of the resolution process, will infuse around Rs 1,200 crore into the airline as emergency funding.

Will banks bail out debt-laden Jet Airways?

Will banks bail out debt-laden Jet Airways?

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2019

Switching to a damage-control mode, bankers and government officials claimed that Jet Airways wouldn't fall even if Etihad refuses to back the resolution plan and exits.

Is Modi govt hiding bad data?

Is Modi govt hiding bad data?

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2019

108 economists, social scientists said it was imperative that agencies like CSO and NSSO are not subject to political interference.