News for 'world-bank'

India questions China's developing country status

India questions China's developing country status

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

India and China have mostly set aside their bilateral differences in order to champion the cause of developing countries at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). That seems to be changing. During the latest round of China's trade policy review, India questioned its northern neighbour's claim that it was a developing country, since, going by the World Bank's definition, its per capita income belongs to that of an upper middle income country. "As per the per capita income level, the Chinese economy belongs to 'upper-middle income'. "How can China still claim to be a developing country? "What are the indicators which China is using to claim such a status?" India asked.

Evergrande isn't China's Lehman moment

Evergrande isn't China's Lehman moment

Rediff.com28 Oct 2021

Many in the US establishment must hope that the crisis would put the brakes on China's growing military might. Well, it ain't gonna happen, says T T Ram Mohan, who was appointed a member of the prime minister's economic advisory council on Wednesday, October 28, 2021.

Extreme poverty in India declined by 12.3 percentage points during 2011-19

Extreme poverty in India declined by 12.3 percentage points during 2011-19

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

Extreme poverty in India declined by 12.3 percentage points between 2011 and 2019, with rural areas doing better than urban centres, according to a working paper of the World Bank. India has not released a new household consumption survey since the NSS from 2011. By extension, the country has not released any official estimates of poverty and inequality for over a decade now, added the paper co-authored by economists Sutirtha Sinha Roy and Roy van der Weide.

Can RBI's digital currency replace physical cash?

Can RBI's digital currency replace physical cash?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

Despite the demonetisation of 2016 and the rise in digital transactions that followed, the economy's dependence on cash has remained as high as ever. So when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced a pilot project of its version of digital cash - called the central bank digital currency (CBDC) - on December 1, many questions were asked. Can the CBDC replace physical cash, even partially? Can it match cash in terms of convenience? Are CBDC transactions truly anonymous?

India ready to back any effort for better environment, global wellness: Modi

India ready to back any effort for better environment, global wellness: Modi

Rediff.com5 Jun 2022

Giving the slogan of "one earth, many efforts", he said India is ready to lend its support to actions to make environment better and improve global wellness.

At state environment ministers meet, Modi lets fly at 'urban Naxals'

At state environment ministers meet, Modi lets fly at 'urban Naxals'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday alleged that "urban Naxals and anti-development elements" with political backing had stalled the construction of Sardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river in Gujarat for many years by running a campaign that it would harm the environment.

Ela Bhatt, whose SEWA empowered unorganised women workers, passes away

Ela Bhatt, whose SEWA empowered unorganised women workers, passes away

Rediff.com2 Nov 2022

Renowned women's rights activist and founder of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) Ela Bhatt passed away in Ahmedabad on Wednesday due to age-related ailments, her associates said.

Swachh Bharat man, Param Iyer calls it a day as sanitation secy

Swachh Bharat man, Param Iyer calls it a day as sanitation secy

Rediff.com28 Jul 2020

Iyer, popularly called Param, is keen to return to the US where he had spent several years working with the World Bank at its Washington office -- a job he later quit to become road manager for his daughter, a professional tennis player.

India has bounced back, real GDP growth to be 7.5%-12.5%: WB

India has bounced back, real GDP growth to be 7.5%-12.5%: WB

Rediff.com31 Mar 2021

India's economy has bounced back amazingly from the Covid-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown over the last one year, but it is not out of the woods yet, according to the World Bank, which in its latest report has predicted that the country's real GDP growth for fiscal year 21/22 could range from 7.5 to 12.5 per cent.

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

All about the Infrastructure Finance Secretariat

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

During his first Union Budget in July 2014, former finance minister Arun Jaitley announced the setting up of an institution called 3P India, with an allocation of Rs 500 crore. The intention was to mainstream public-private partnerships (PPPs) in India. The plan was to bring together the capacities of the government and private sector to push PPP projects.

First commercial flight lands in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

First commercial flight lands in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Rediff.com13 Sep 2021

Pakistan's national flag-carrier on Monday ran its first commercial flight to Kabul since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in mid-August.

UK to give additional 1.3 bn pounds military aid to Ukraine this fiscal

UK to give additional 1.3 bn pounds military aid to Ukraine this fiscal

Rediff.com8 May 2022

The extra 1.3 billion pounds comes from the Reserve, funds the UK government said it has set aside for the most pressing emergencies.

Sitharaman meets IMF chief in Washington, highlights growth measures

Sitharaman meets IMF chief in Washington, highlights growth measures

Rediff.com19 Apr 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday met IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva and discussed a range of issues, including impact of geopolitical situation on global growth.

Ladakh stand-off: Railways cancels Chinese contract

Ladakh stand-off: Railways cancels Chinese contract

Rediff.com19 Jun 2020

Govt has already approached World Bank seeking termination of contract. The progress of the project was just 20 per cent though the contract was awarded in 2016.

Railways may scrap new dedicated freight corridors, enhance existing ones

Railways may scrap new dedicated freight corridors, enhance existing ones

Rediff.com25 May 2022

This alternative is being planned as the existing projects continue to be delayed due to land acquisition troubles. The ministry is thinking of adding new track lines to its existing eastern and western DFCs passing major areas in the proposed stretches, senior officials said.

My uncle, Gerson da Cunha

My uncle, Gerson da Cunha

Rediff.com22 Jan 2022

Adman Rahul da Cunha fondly remembers his uncle, who passed into the ages on January 7.

'We should pay more attention to China'

'We should pay more attention to China'

Rediff.com18 May 2022

'Our competitiveness with China is very important.' 'If the exchange rate depreciates, it is good for us because it helps in our competitiveness.'

Pakistan objects to Modi's visit to Kashmir

Pakistan objects to Modi's visit to Kashmir

Rediff.com25 Apr 2022

Pakistan criticised the laying of foundation stones for the construction of the Rattle and Kwar Hydroelectric Projects on the Chenab River in Kashmir.

From the slums of Chennai he made it to World Bank

From the slums of Chennai he made it to World Bank

Rediff.com20 Mar 2012

The story of E Sarathbabu, a boy brought up in a slum in Chennai who turned into a successful entrepreneur, passing through, on the way, the corridors of BITS, Pilani and IIM-Ahmedabad has become legendary in India now.

OPEC Puts Indian Economy On A Slippery Slope

OPEC Puts Indian Economy On A Slippery Slope

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

Changes in global oil and gas rates matter more to India's economy than other major economies because the country imports around 87 per cent of its oil, half of its gas in the form of LNG, and over 60 per cent of its LPG.

Sri Lankan protesters camp outside PMO demanding ouster of Rajapaksas

Sri Lankan protesters camp outside PMO demanding ouster of Rajapaksas

Rediff.com26 Apr 2022

Thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets since April 9, as the government ran out of money for vital imports; prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed and there are acute shortages in fuel, medicines and electricity supply.

Nearly 5mn Indians forced to flee their homes due to disasters in 2021: UN

Nearly 5mn Indians forced to flee their homes due to disasters in 2021: UN

Rediff.com17 Jun 2022

"The largest displacements in the context of disasters in 2021 occurred in China (6.0 million), the Philippines (5.7 million) and India (4.9 million). Most disaster displacements during the year were temporary," it said.

The truth about India's ease of doing business claim

The truth about India's ease of doing business claim

Rediff.com15 Sep 2020

'The recalculated ranking showed India should have had a higher ranking earlier (113 in 2012 instead of 132) and lower ranking later (114 in 2018 instead of 100).' 'This would mean that there has been no change in India's climate of doing business across two regimes.' 'This is exactly consistent with the reality on the ground,' observes Debashis Basu.

The Risks Of Declaring Victory Too Soon

The Risks Of Declaring Victory Too Soon

Rediff.com25 Oct 2022

India has much to be proud of and celebrate. But there is also much that is wrong, much that looks dangerous. Employment, current account deficit, rural distress, agricultural productivity are all in deep crisis, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'Wherever in the world there is political instability, those countries are beset with severe crises today. But India is in a much better position than the rest of the world due to the decisions taken by my government in the national interest,' President Droupadi Murmu said in her address to both Houses of Parliament.

'Global Slowdown Would Be Positive For India'

'Global Slowdown Would Be Positive For India'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2022

'If you look at the order books of capital equipment companies or money deployed on the ground, there is forward movement in terms of actual investment by the private sector.'

Aadhaar looking to go global

Aadhaar looking to go global

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is looking to collaborate with foreign countries and international organisations to build digital identity systems across the world, a top official said on Friday. UIDAI CEO Saurabh Garg during a panel discussion with Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma at the Infinity Forum said the authority is also exploring emerging technology to enhance security and increase the number of transactions that can be done by using Aadhaar. "We think going forward we will be happy to collaborate with other nations...We would like to collaborate with international organisations also in building international institutions for standards for national identity.

Delhi-Alwar rapid rail: India in talks for $3 bn funding

Delhi-Alwar rapid rail: India in talks for $3 bn funding

Rediff.com7 Oct 2020

The project will be in three stages and sources indicate that the funding will be for the first stage of 107 kilometre from Sarai Kale Khan to SNB Urban Complex.

India's Employment Rate Lower Than Pakistan, Bangladesh

India's Employment Rate Lower Than Pakistan, Bangladesh

Rediff.com9 Feb 2022

Only West Asia and North Africa have a lower employment rate than India, points out Mahesh Vyas.

Moody's slashes India's GDP growth to 8.8% for 2022

Moody's slashes India's GDP growth to 8.8% for 2022

Rediff.com26 May 2022

Moody's Investors Service on Thursday slashed India's economic growth projection to 8.8 per cent for 2022 from 9.1 per cent earlier, citing high inflation. In its update to Global Macro Outlook 2022-23, Moody's said high-frequency data suggests that the growth momentum from December quarter 2021 carried through into the first four months this year. However, the rise in crude oil, food and fertilizer prices will weigh on household finances and spending in the months ahead.

Lanka protesters surround PM Mahinda's residence

Lanka protesters surround PM Mahinda's residence

Rediff.com24 Apr 2022

Thousands of Inter University Students' Federation (IUSF) students were seen sloganeering outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Wijerama Mawatha.

Be prepared for fresh Covid waves, warns WHO's Soumya Swaminathan

Be prepared for fresh Covid waves, warns WHO's Soumya Swaminathan

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

There is mounting evidence that suggests that Omicron subvariants -BA.4 and BA.5 - are infecting people who have been vaccinated.

Freebies: Nothing Called A Free Lunch

Freebies: Nothing Called A Free Lunch

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

To help the country emerge as a true welfare State, political parties must put the country's interests first before strategising to win elections and short-term goals, argues Ramesh Menon.

Sitharaman highlights 'significant reforms' in US investors' meet

Sitharaman highlights 'significant reforms' in US investors' meet

Rediff.com12 Oct 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday highlighted "significant reforms" undertaken by the government including National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) and National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) as she met institutional investors in Boston. Sitharaman arrived in the US on Monday for a week-long trip to attend the annual meet of the World Bank and IMF in Washingon as well as G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting. During the official visit to the US, Sitharaman is expected to meet US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Excess release from DVC dam caused floods in Bengal: Mamata to PM

Excess release from DVC dam caused floods in Bengal: Mamata to PM

Rediff.com4 Aug 2021

Faced with criticism that water released from its dams in an 'unprecedented' manner led to the flooding of West Bengal, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) on Wednesday said that it discharges water after taking consent of the state government and blaming it for the deluge is not justified.

India at 75: 18 biggest moments for Indian markets from 1947 to 1993

India at 75: 18 biggest moments for Indian markets from 1947 to 1993

Rediff.com12 Aug 2022

From the enactment of the capital control Act to the recognition of the BSE as a stock exchange and the infamous Harshad Mehta scam, here are the 18 biggest events for stock markets from 1947 to 1993.

Lanka crisis: Gotabaya forms panel to manage finances

Lanka crisis: Gotabaya forms panel to manage finances

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

The Sri Lankan government has appointed an advisory committee comprising eminent economic and fiscal experts to provide guidance on addressing the current debt crisis and engaging with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other lenders as the country struggles to combat the unprecedented shortage of foreign reserves.

'The sooner we junk the rhetoric of freebies, the better'

'The sooner we junk the rhetoric of freebies, the better'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

'Welfare schemes are not a necessary evil, they are a necessary good.'

Pakistan International Airlines suspends flights to Kabul after Taliban threat

Pakistan International Airlines suspends flights to Kabul after Taliban threat

Rediff.com14 Oct 2021

Pakistan's national flag carrier on Thursday suspended flight operations to Afghanistan due to what it called "security concerns", hours after the Taliban government threatened to ban the airline unless it reduced the fare on the Kabul-Islamabad route to previous levels.