Top ministers from about 20 states and some officials from the finance ministry are leaving for a 10-day trip to Europe next week.
This is not the first time that industry has been slow in responding. The finance ministry had to send repeated reminders to industry captains to get feedback on quite a few discussion papers in recent times.
Industry's wait for new bank licences may get a bit longer as the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) suggestions to amend the Banking Regulation Act will not be incorporated in the report of the Standing Committee on Finance in the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011.
At present, India is only a member of various committees of the 34-member organisation.
Move aimed at speeding up process, checking corruption in funds' transfer.
Nine advisory committees to suggest sector-wise solutions.
This is being done for two reasons: to avoid conflict of interest and bring in transparency in the functioning of the banking regulator.
RBI last year initiated the process for issuing fresh licences by publishing a discussion paper inviting comments from the public.
This at a time companies have asked the revenue department to increase the rate in view of higher bank rates.
After rising for more than a year, short-term interest rates have started falling since the beginning of the month, thanks to improved liquidity.
Finance ministry officials said they were scrutinising many deals, but the actual tax liability would depend on many factors, including the kind of payment (royalty, interest, stake sale) and the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement with the country where the foreign company was based.
State Bank of India (SBI) has put on the backburner its plan to acquire a stake in Tata Motors Finance, following the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) objection.
According to RBI data, bank lending to commercial real estate registered 20 per cent growth in the year ended May 30 as compared to 1.2 per cent in the previous year.
The accounting system of the central and state governments may change considerably, with a high-level committee suggesting sweeping changes in how expenditure is classified in Budget documents.
RBI feels allowing foreign companies into this business may affect financial stability.
However, the finance ministry is hopeful of keeping its fiscal deficit under control.
It is clear now that our policy to treat FCCBs as debt upfront turned out to be the right approach.
Black money is difficult to deal with.
Black money is difficult to deal with.
Officials said Mukherjee had proposed the name of Modi for the post, as an experienced person like him could have helped convince BJP-ruled states to move ahead on the Goods & Services Tax (GST).
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