'If you persist in opposing the government, they set the ED or the NIA on you. And the courts have not given us much hope.'
Terming investment in infrastructure "quintessential" to boost growth, the Economic Survey on Friday said post unlocking of the economy, infra sectors are poised for growth and construction of roads is expected to return to the high pace attained before COVID-19. The infrastructure sector will be the key to overall economic growth and macroeconomic stability, the Survey said emphasising that the year after the crisis (2021-22) will require sustained and calibrated measures to facilitate the process of economic recovery and enable the economy to get back on its long-term growth trajectory. "Basic infrastructure facilities in the country provide the foundation of growth. In the absence of adequate infrastructure, the economy operates at a suboptimal level and remains distant from its potential and frontier growth trajectory.
The announcement declaring New Delhi Municipal Council a winner of the smart city challenge came when the rest of Delhi was drowning in urban waste.
The Centre has asked the state governments to nominate cities and towns for inclusion under Smart Cities Mission as the first stage of the competition has started.
The government's vision of "housing for all by 2022" may turn out to be an uphill task with developers keeping off low-cost housing projects citing regulatory hurdles, high land cost and low returns making such projects "unaffordable".
India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme against COVID-19 as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 200-crore mark on Sunday.
Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has the task of bringing clean tap water to all households by 2024.
The winners of the Natural History Museum's prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition were announced at an awards ceremony in London. American photographer Karine Aigner was announced as this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
100 smart cities to become a reality as Cabinet approves the project, earmarks Rs 100 trillion for the purpose.
Banks have played a critical role in infrastructure financing.
The additional outgo to combat the impact of COVID-19 will significantly erode the fiscal consolidation achieved by the state governments in the past three years, an RBI report said on Tuesday. In its study of the state budgets of 2020-21, the RBI report which has dwelled on the theme 'COVID-19 and its Spatial Dimensions in India', said that Gross Fiscal Deficit (GFD) of the states would spiral during the current fiscal.
'When Covid first struck, the lockdown resulted in clean air in major Indian cities.' 'You were able to see the Himalayan range from Ludhiana.' 'In Delhi, you were seeing deer and stags all over the city because there was no traffic.' 'It was incredible. Nature was waiting to come back.'
To redevelop cities as 'smart', investment of at least $10 billion is required. For 100 cities, it works out to $1 trillion
The comments from Das assume importance as the government for two consecutive terms have missed its fiscal deficit targets by 10 bps
In household savings, there has been a persistent shift towards physical assets.
The upcoming Budget gives Finance Minister Arun Jaitley a chance to let states boost spending.
Each smart city would get a Central assistance of Rs 100 crore per year for five years.
States to give choices, Centre to decide by year-end.
The 'terrible' surge of the coronavirus cases in India has severely impacted COVAX's vaccine supply in the second quarter of this year to the extent that there will be a shortfall of 190 million doses by the end of June, according to a joint statement by the WHO, UNICEF, GAVI and CEPI.
'It's like the BJP is mocking people: Do what you want, we'll still win.'
With a rise in the number of cyber crimes and hacking, and many putting a question mark on safety of Aadhaar data, the FM might bring proposals in this regard and allocate funds separately.
Deane De Menezes hopes to reduce the awkwardness and stigma around menstruation.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday presented the Budget for 2021-22 in the Lok Sabha that is expected to provide relief to the pandemic-hit common man as well as focus more on driving economic recovery through higher spending on healthcare, infrastructure and defence amid rising tensions with neighbours, As India emerges from the COVID-19 crisis, the ninth Budget under the Modi government, including an interim one, is widely expected to focus on boosting spending on job creation and rural development, generous allocations for development schemes, putting more money in the hands of the average taxpayer and easing rules to attract foreign investments.
Likening the situation in the country to a "social emergency", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made it clear that the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19 cannot be lifted in one go on April 14, asserting that the priority of his government is to "save each and every life".
The purchase or construction of houses by large numbers of people can add meaningfully to India's economic growth, points out Neelkanth Mishra.
2015 is going to witness new agreements on climate change.
The Taliban will view India through the eyes of the ISI and can be relied upon to undertake hostile actions against this country, warns Virendra Kapoor.
During that period, the World Bank Group's private sector arm, IFC, committed $1.2 billion in India.
Smart cities must be very well equipped with technology and security systems alike.
We need a comprehensive redevelopment plan that seeks to redesign our overgrown cities in terms of connectivity, mobility and liveability.
Policymakers should consider the challenges of beneficiary identification, distributor opposition and beneficiary financial inclusion.
'At this moment, the Trinamool has an edge.'
'Start Ups have to be really careful of the kind of talent they bring in, and the tone and culture they set.' 'It's absolutely crucial that the people we hire are motivated go-getters who can align with the company's long-term goals, culture and values.'
India has an urban housing shortage of about 18.7 million units, with 95 per cent of this shortfall in the low-cost housing segment, and 43.7 million in the rural belt.
'Although strong arm tactics do cause inconvenience, they have not been able to stop us from carrying out our campaigns.' 'Allegations about being 'anti-development' mean very little when people in the country are still going hungry.' Greenpeace India chief Ravi Chellam on the challenges ahead.
Sebi directs freezing of all demat accounts not linked to Aadhaar by December 31
New Development Bank plans to issue $300-500 mn worth masala bonds in rupee: K V Kamath.
In February 2012, Laundry Project opened its first factory in Chennai. Initially, it catered to hotels - Taj, Oberoi, Marriot, Ascot and Radisson.
The Right needs an apparently potent and dangerous foe to keep its own followers in line. If they lower their guard, the insidious enemy may creep in, argues Amulya Ganguli.
If your children live abroad, rely more on financial assets as they are easier to liquidate and move across borders.