The RSS chief's comment that if war broke out, the military would not be ready for at least six to seven months is correct as it faces a shortfall in training and alertness and an even greater lack of funds for defence preparedness, notes Ajai Shukla.
Among the private banking majors ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank were down 0.2%-0.5% each.
Governor's statements will be weighed to gauge confidence level.
RBI has, since January, cut its policy rate four times.
'On December 5, the government called unions for pre-Budget consultations.' '12 trade unions were called and the time allotted was one hour which means 5 minutes for each union.' 'We were asked to present our views in about four minutes.' 'That itself is a reflection of how serious the government is about workers' demands.'
Indices reversed all its losses during late trades.
The next general election is more than three years away. Yet, the Centre appears to be reluctant to take any bold move that might annoy influential sections of the electorate.
With the Sensex again nearing 28,000 points, investors can make good returns with a one-two year horizon.
The Pay Commission process is symptomatic of a national crisis within the Indian state.
Limited IT staff may compel them to focus on big fish than small depositors.
Analysts mostly prefer domestic plays beside select films with foreign exposure.
The derivatives expiry on Thursday is also expected to add to the volatility.
The country saw two straight years of deficient monsoons.
Excise exemptions may be whittled in Budget to offset higher govt salaries, pensions
If receipts from disinvestment, tax buoyancy and black money scheme offset shortfall in spectrum sale, higher expenditure due to pay commission's recommendations and capital expenditure, then the government would be able to meet the target of controlling fiscal deficit at 3.5 per cent of GDP this financial year.
Rajan retained the short-term lending rate at 6.5 and the cash reserve requirement of banks at 4 per cent.
The notes argue that it will widen the talent base available to govt to deliver increasingly complex services to a demanding population.
RJD president Lalu Prasad on Thursday said Railway Budget has cheated people as it has nothing to offer.
'Too much energy these three years has been invested in turning the party into an election-winning machine.' 'To recover its mojo, the Modi government needs a more impressive set of economic figures to flaunt,' says Shekhar Gupta.
Incentives for industries have been rolled back and teachers have gone without salary for months as the state grapples with the after-effects of the ban
The military continues to battle difficult circumstances in Kashmir. Let's not add to their woes by spreading half-baked stories, factually incorrect posts and inaccurate articles.
The sops sanctioned by J Jayalalithaa on her first day in office could cost the exchequer up to Rs 8,000 crore annually.
The Modi government has not lived up to the muscularity the prime minister promised while campaigning, says Ajai Shukla
High fiscal deficits raise inflation which hits the lowest income and salaried classes.
As for structural reform, there are signs if one looks hard enough.
Structural changes to government finances could be focus of the Union Budget, says Mihir S Sharma.
The 7th Pay Commission recommendations are a major challenge for the Railways.
With a middle class still so small and no apparent leaps in productivity on the farm or in manufacturing on the horizon, India faces its own age of diminished expectations.
'Our first great challenge is to create 12 million new jobs each year, to make the demographic dividend an economic dividend.' 'We are nowhere near that,' points out Mohan Guruswamy.
Economic reforms seem to be on a slow train, while good old fiscal populism is alive and flourishing.
India as a large country should have inter-modal connectivity, which will help us make travel easier, safer and seamless. That is how you will also gain. You will gain more money, make more revenues, says Praful Patel.
Following the Budget being announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, leaders across the political spectrum provided their views.
Excerpts from a speech on the Supplementary Demands for Grants, December 15.
A government that confuses PowerPoints for policy is delaying structural change too much.
Formidable challenges including funds for the farm loan-waiver, and law and order stare him at his face, with the opposition claiming the misses have outnumbered the hits.
One Rank One Pension (OROP) will have a significant impact on the country's fiscal bill and the overall cost will be around Rs 16,000 crore.
Urban markets account for the major share of total revenues.
'If Modi sincerely thinks that Dalits are also Hindus then spread this message to the entire nation through programmes like Mann Ki Baat.' 'We would love to listen to the PM tell the nation to look upon us as fellow Indians and human beings.'
There are some 20-odd schemes with this default provision, or something close to it.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances