'The Centre brought down expenses by as much as Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion).'
'We are very watchful about inflation and growth. But the main challenge is economic revival and growth.'
While suburban fares remain unchanged, ordinary non-AC, non-suburban fares were increased by 1 paise per km of journey. The Railways also announced a two-paise/km hike in fares of mail/express non-AC trains and four- paise/km hike in the fares of AC classes. The fare hike is also applicable to premium trains such as Shatabdi, Rajdhani and Duronto.
Though the NITI Aayog did not give its estimates for the required GDP growth at constant prices, economists pegged it at 9 per cent, a feat not seen since the GDP series was revised with 2011-12 as the base year.
The Saudi and Iraq offer to replace Iranian crude supplies comes with a catch: Higher prices for the same quality of crude. The new government will face a tough decision over fuel price hike, says Aveek Sen.
With audits and greater emphasis on anti-evasion measures, more tax demands will lead to more litigation. So, it is a bit early to start celebrating. GST is still work in progress.
Due to the continued pressure of high costs, Toyota is considering a price increase of up to 3 per cent across models with effect from January.
China's domestic debt is a major concern.
The world economy's growth engine is slowing, but not collapsing.
There was a plan to increase the Railways' revenue by augmenting carrying capacity. This target has, however, become the source of a bitter battle between two ministries - the railways and steel - and provoked serious arguments over the "Make in India" programme.
Experts call for consistency in government policies to enable Indian exporters to frame a long-term strategy.
On the other hand, jobs increased for the 10th straight month in the manufacturing sector, albeit only slightly
In the context of RBI's view that the real interest rate, defined as the repo rate less "look forward" CPI, should be around 150-200 basis points.
One way to do a reality check on the official numbers will be to develop a desi version of what came to be called the Li index in China.
Moody's expects tax to be lower than the multitude of taxes such as sales tax, excise duties, local taxes, and value-added taxes the automobile sector currently pays
Lured by the fast-growing cargo operations, leading freighter companies have joined the race to enter India in a big way
The best way for the railways to become more professional will be to get corporatised.
He has now to show that he can take on the vested interests within the railways which are resisting change through corporatisation
Going by the number of changes Mr Jaitley's next Budget is likely to see, he will go down in the history of Budget-making as the finance minister who ushered in the largest number of changes in a single Budget, says A K Bhattacharya.
2019 appears a story of two halves for Indian equities - a more difficult first half might precede a stronger second half, said Abhiram Eleswarapu, bottom, left, Head of India Equity Research, BNP Paribas in an interview with Ashley Coutinho.
The finance ministry on Tuesday cited "green shoots" of recovery in agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors, and said the prompt policy measures taken by the government and RBI have helped reinvigorate the economy with minimal damage. Stating that the agricultural sector remains the foundation of the Indian economy, the ministry said that a normal monsoon, as has been forecast, should support the rebooting of economy.
Just one year after taking office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing a challenge that could come to haunt him.
There will be four trips from December 24, 2013 till Januray 2, 2014 of the premium AC special trains on the busy New Delhi-Mumbai sector, said a senior Railway Ministry official, adding 'the tickets will be sold on higher rate than the existing rate as per the dynamic pricing policy.'
Petrol and diesel will cost less in coastal areas than inland locations if Petroleum Minister Ram Naik approves a differential pricing policy
'The economy has to become the government's No. 1 priority, which it is not at the moment,' says T N Ninan.
The government also proposed promoting 'one product one district' for better marketing and export of horticulture crops. It also called on states for early implementation of three key central model laws on land leasing, agriculture produce and livestock marketing and contract farming.
Be it roads, railways, ports, civil aviation, energy or electricity, the Narendra Modi govt has invigorated all these sectors since it took over, says Arvind Panagariya.
Already hit hard by the poor and inefficient services, the woes of the suburban rail commuters in the metropolis are going to be compounded further with the season ticket rates going up by more than double across classes.
The President in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament unveiled the policies and priorities of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government which assumed power last month after elections to the 16th Lok Sabha.
Diesel prices for the Railways have come down from Rs 60.08 a litre in June to Rs 50.51 a litre now.
Indian cotton and paddy could see their competitiveness in international markets take a hit
'The economy is suffering (perhaps 'enjoying' is a better word) the lowest credit demand in decades; banks are struggling with stressed loans equivalent to near 10 per cent of GDP,' points out Devangshu Datta.
From offering free food to passengers to re-arranging train timings Railways Minister Piyush Goyal announced a slew of measures to make the Railways more efficient
The committee would submit its report in the next two weeks.
The initiatives intended to benefit the common man include e-ticketing, catering on demand, bio-toilets, food for infants, better stations.
With all the brouhaha over GST, and (often) a limited understanding of the long-term forces shaping India's logistics sector, companies seem to have omitted factoring in some underlying trends that could shape supply chain excellence, says Neelesh Mundra.
To bring in transparency and curb corruption, the government has put in place a Public Services Guarantee system in the state.
'Making the railways better is a different type of a challenge.'
IRCTC used to charge Rs 40 per ticket for bookings in AC classes, Rs 20 per ticket in sleeper class
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