Namrata Acharya And Somesh Jha

Stories by Namrata Acharya And Somesh Jha

Govt scraps consumer expenditure survey over 'data quality'

Govt scraps consumer expenditure survey over 'data quality'

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2019

The findings of the report showed consumer spending falling for the first time in over four decades in 2017-18. The government has, however, termed it a "draft" report, reports Somesh Jha.

Why govt wants to classifying jobs based on skills

Why govt wants to classifying jobs based on skills

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2019

In the draft rules, among 681 listed professions, armed security guards, supervisors, surveyors, and carpenters (class I) are proposed to be treated as highly skilled professionals; electricians, tailors and drivers are skilled; cooks and cobblers as semi-skilled and dairy coolies, office peons and sweepers as unskilled.

Mudra loans led to a 28% rise in jobs

Mudra loans led to a 28% rise in jobs

Rediff.com   7 Nov 2019

After taking benefit of the scheme, jobs increased by around 11 mn in establishments that took loans.

PNB-UBI-OBC merger: Automated HR integration likely

PNB-UBI-OBC merger: Automated HR integration likely

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2019

All transfers and promotions for next financial year will be decided by respective banks, not by the merged entity.

Pension schemes: Govt owes Rs 9,100 crore, says EPFO

Pension schemes: Govt owes Rs 9,100 crore, says EPFO

Rediff.com   21 Oct 2019

Part of the dues has been pending since 1995-96 - the inception year of the Employees' Pension Scheme administered by the EPFO. The Centre also owes the EPFO more than Rs 1,000 crore towards the minimum pension scheme it had notified in September 2014.

New-look FRDI bill to offer higher deposit insurance

New-look FRDI bill to offer higher deposit insurance

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2019

The government would be ironing out issues related to the controversial 'bail-in' clause in the earlier Bill, explore hiking the deposit insurance cover of customers, and decide whether the resolution framework should apply to public sector banks.

Banerjee-Duflo duo and Bandhan Bank's anti-poverty scheme

Banerjee-Duflo duo and Bandhan Bank's anti-poverty scheme

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2019

According to a 2011 impact assessment study of the programme by Banerjee and Duflo, along with economists Raghabendra Chattopadhyay and Jeremy Shapiro, Bandhan's THP results in a 15 per cent increase in household consumption and had a positive impact on wealth and welfare, such as assets and emotional well being.

Sitharaman readies relief package for MSMEs, NBFCs

Sitharaman readies relief package for MSMEs, NBFCs

Rediff.com   15 Oct 2019

PSBs have been requested to reach out to MSMEs to provide bill discounting to them against their dues since they suffer the most from shortage of cash.

Gig workers set to come under labour laws

Gig workers set to come under labour laws

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2019

According to draft Code on Social Security, 2019, gig and platform workers will be entitled to life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, among others.

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Did Sitharaman overrule bankers on loan 'mela'?

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2019

PSB chiefs tried to argue that liquidity is in surplus in the system and the problem was related to lack of demand in the economy, instead of banks' reluctance to lend, but 'the FM said it is a perception issue that loan is not available, which we need to dispel,', reports Somesh Jha.

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Loan 'melas' are back: PSBs to hold credit meets in 400 districts, says FM

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

The NDA government will be following the footsteps of its predecessor, the UPA, which had introduced the concept of "loan mela" to boost credit by directing banks to lend to people through public meetings.

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Universal social security coverage to workers junked

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2019

In the latest draft of the Code on Social Security Bill, 2019, the government has decided to stick to the current thresholds for providing social security benefits to workers by industry.

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Finance secy Rajiv Kumar to meet PSBs on Sep 19

Rediff.com   13 Sep 2019

The government is set to ask PSBs to expeditiously introduce repo-rate linked products "to step up affordable credit".

Banks form GM-level teams for merger ease

Banks form GM-level teams for merger ease

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2019

Banks are also weighing the option of hiring experts for help in specialised areas.

Why your take-home salary may rise soon

Why your take-home salary may rise soon

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2019

The government wants to reduce the rate of contribution - part of the employee's share - for a class of workers depending upon age, income or gender, without changing the contribution from the employer's share.

Banks may seek your OK for fund transfer to your account

Banks may seek your OK for fund transfer to your account

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2019

Under the proposed mechanism, the finance ministry has said banks will notify customers when someone tries to deposit money in their accounts, a government official said.

The big gainers under PM's agri insurance plan

The big gainers under PM's agri insurance plan

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2019

Under the PMFBY - introduced in 2016 - farmers have to pay a maximum of 2 per cent of the sum insured for kharif and 1.5 per cent for rabi food and oilseed crops and 5 per cent for commercial/horticultural crops. Eighteen general insurance companies, including five public sector insurance firms, have been empanelled for the scheme's implementation.

No overtime without employee consent

No overtime without employee consent

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2019

The Bill states a worker will be paid twice his or her wage if he or she is allowed to work overtime. A majority of workers in India worked more than 48 hours in a week, which is higher than the International Labour Organisation's prescribed time-limit.

Garg leaves without signing off on Jalan panel report

Garg leaves without signing off on Jalan panel report

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2019

Garg had refused to sign on the report finalised by the former Reserve Bank of India governor Bimal Jalan-led committee reviewing the central bank's economic capital framework (ECF).

To ease compliance, govt plans major labour reforms

To ease compliance, govt plans major labour reforms

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2019

Single registration will be coupled with single licence, along with a single return, for executing projects for five years.