Asit Ranjan Mishra &Amp; Dhruvaksh Saha

Stories by Asit Ranjan Mishra &Amp; Dhruvaksh Saha

'More than a majority will shift to new tax regime'

'More than a majority will shift to new tax regime'

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2023

'I believe the modified scheme is much more beneficial and simpler.'

India, China likely to drive half of 2023 global growth, says IMF

India, China likely to drive half of 2023 global growth, says IMF

Rediff.com   31 Jan 2023

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said India and China will account for half of the global economic growth in 2023, as the multilateral agency retained its growth forecast for Asia's third-largest economy for 2023-24 (FY24). "India remains a bright spot. Together with China, it will account for half of global growth this year, versus just a tenth for the US and euro area combined," the IMF said in its latest update to the biannual World Economic Outlook. Growth in India is set to decline from 6.8 per cent in 2022 (FY23) to 6.1 per cent in 2023 (FY24) before picking up to 6.8 per cent in 2024 (FY25), the global lender said while citing "resilient domestic demand despite external headwinds".

'Finance minister's fiscal marksmanship has been very good'

'Finance minister's fiscal marksmanship has been very good'

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2023

'This government has always been fiscally conservative. It never resorted to fiscal profligacy.'

Ganga Vilas: World's Longest River Cruise

Ganga Vilas: World's Longest River Cruise

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2023

The MV Ganga Vilas will traverse through 27 rivers over 52 days, covering over 3,200 km.

Indian Economy To Grow At Robust 6.6%: World Bank

Indian Economy To Grow At Robust 6.6%: World Bank

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2023

'Limited spillovers' to Asia's third-largest economy, even as world 'perilously close' to recession.

Railways rolls out energy efficiency plan to meet 2030 net-zero target

Railways rolls out energy efficiency plan to meet 2030 net-zero target

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2023

Focuses on meeting non-traction demand through renewables.

November exports to key markets bounce back after October dip

November exports to key markets bounce back after October dip

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2023

Exports had recovered in November to grow at 0.59 per cent from a 12 per cent contraction in October.

Census unlikely to take place before 2024 Lok Sabha elections

Census unlikely to take place before 2024 Lok Sabha elections

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2022

Although the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment measures, considered a hindrance in conducting the census, was withdrawn in March this year the Centre has not taken any further action on conducting the much-delayed population enumeration.

Sunflower oil shipments to India from Russia, Ukraine return to normal

Sunflower oil shipments to India from Russia, Ukraine return to normal

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2022

Shipments of sunflower oil to India have started normalising after imports from war-torn Ukraine resumed beginning September after a gap of four months, leading to further normalisation of supplies. Ukraine has been the largest supplier of sunflower oil to India. However, after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February, supplies from Ukraine dwindled as Russia denied it access to the Black Sea ports.

After curbing import of toys, India to turn tap off for Chinese fans, smart meters

After curbing import of toys, India to turn tap off for Chinese fans, smart meters

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2022

We are looking at bringing quality control orders for mass production items such as smart meters and ceiling fans. This will benefit our own industry and consumers, a government official said.

Will India join e-commerce deal at WTO?

Will India join e-commerce deal at WTO?

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2022

India is unlikely to join the ongoing negotiations for a plurilateral deal on e-commerce at the World Trade Organization (WTO), notwithstanding a change in stance on data localisation and cross-border flow of data. Under the new draft digital personal data protection (DPDP) Bill, put out on Friday for public consultation, the government has proposed free cross-border flow of data with 'friendly' nations, significantly easing its earlier stance on data localisation. India has so far stayed out of a group of 87 countries, including the US, European Union, China, and Japan that are negotiating trade-related aspects on e-commerce since December 2017.

Collateral-Free Debt Funding For Start-Ups

Collateral-Free Debt Funding For Start-Ups

Rediff.com   25 Oct 2022

The credit guarantee cover under the scheme would be both transaction-based (for single eligible borrowers) and umbrella-based (for a group of eligible borrowers).

LNG Tankers Shortage Affects India's Fuel Supply

LNG Tankers Shortage Affects India's Fuel Supply

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2022

Tightening Russian gas supplies to Europe has led to scramble for tankers before winter sets in.

Cattle hits, snags raise doubts over Vande Bharat as 'train of future'

Cattle hits, snags raise doubts over Vande Bharat as 'train of future'

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2022

Experts suggest that a revamp in the surrounding infrastructure should take care of the issues plaguing the VB-2, stressing that the lightweight nature of the trains is what allows for higher speeds, and that needless design additions may hamper the train's efficiency.

56 mn Indians may have turned poor in 2020 due to pandemic: World Bank

56 mn Indians may have turned poor in 2020 due to pandemic: World Bank

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2022

About 56 million Indians may have plunged into extreme poverty in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, increasing the global tally by 71 million and making it the worst year for poverty reduction since World War II, according to fresh estimates by the World Bank. "The global goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030 is likely to be missed: By then, about 600 million people will remain in abject poverty. A major course correction is needed," Indermit Gill, chief economist at the World Bank, tweeted. The World Bank in its latest "Poverty and Shared Prosperity" made fresh estimates of poverty using a new extreme poverty line based on the purchasing power parity (PPP) of $2.15, the earlier one being at $1.9.

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

IRCTC moves to monetise passenger data

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2022

In a first of its kind move, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the ticket booking arm of the Indian Railways, is looking to monetise its bank of passenger data while conducting business with private and government companies. IRCTC has a large bank of data related to every online railway ticket ever generated as it is the country's only railway ticketing platform, an IRCTC official told Business Standard. The public sector undertaking, which has sought the services of a consultant to assist with the monetisation process, plans to raise Rs 1,000 crore through this exercise.

Department of Commerce plans dedicated trade promotion body

Department of Commerce plans dedicated trade promotion body

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2022

To set up a future-ready administration geared towards the target of $2 trillion exports by 2030, the Department of Commerce has decided to set up a dedicated trade promotion body to drive overall promotion strategy, export targets, and execution as part of a restructuring exercise. The trade promotion body will formulate and drive overall trade promotion strategy; create and drive India's branding across focus markets and sectors; drive coordinated action across missions, states and export promotion councils; strategic initiatives, including advisory and buyer-seller meet; and develop digital platforms for exporters and buyers. Based on a 14-volume 'restructuring dossier' by the Boston Consulting Group, the commerce department has already implemented some of the recommendations.

Govt to amend 114-year-old the Indian Ports Act, bring in reforms

Govt to amend 114-year-old the Indian Ports Act, bring in reforms

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2022

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has released a draft to amend the Indian Ports Act, 1908, which aims to bring in sweeping reforms in the sector by bringing non-major ports into the national fold, creating a new mechanism for resolution of disputes, and empowering maritime state development council (MSDC). The draft bill will see comments from stakeholders before being tabled in Parliament. "The Indian Ports Act, 1908 is more than 110 years old. It has become imperative that the Act is revamped to reflect the present-day frameworks, incorporate India's international obligations, address emerging environmental concerns, and aid the consultative development of the ports sector in the national interest," the shipping ministry said.

In 75th year of Independence, govt may shut down British India Corp

In 75th year of Independence, govt may shut down British India Corp

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2022

Once the iconic red-brick building of British India Corporation (BICL), which manufactured the popular "Lal-Imli" brand of woollen products, made Cawnpore (now Kanpur) the Manchester of the East. In the 75th year of independence, the government may finally pull the curtains on the century-old, now defunct public sector enterprise. "The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has floated a draft cabinet note for closure of British India Corporation (BICL) along with National Textiles Corporation (NTC). "The Cabinet may soon tak

India, Pak bonhomie at WTO blossoms despite fractious bilateral relations

India, Pak bonhomie at WTO blossoms despite fractious bilateral relations

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2022

Even as the bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring countries remains hostile, there is growing coordination between India and Pakistan on one multilateral forum - the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both countries have made two joint submissions at the WTO as co-sponsors in the past two months. In June, Pakistan joined India, Cuba, and 44 African countries, seeking sufficient flexibility in intellectual property rights for developing countries to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.