India-Peru Trade Talks: The Next Chapter Set to Unfold on February 12
Introduction India and Peru are set to resume their negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) that aims to promote bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. The FTA negotiations started in 2017 and the fifth round was concluded in August 2019. However, the talks were paused due to the coronavirus pandemic. The sixth […]
MSME Ministry Enhances Support: Development and Facilitation Offices to Address Udyam-Related Issues
The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has taken a new initiative to expedite the resolution of grievances related to Udyam registration certificates for MSMEs. The ministry has empowered its Development and Facilitation Offices (DFOs) in various state capitals and industrial cities across the country to address issues related to the cancellation or […]
CM Eknath Shinde Announces Maharashtra’s Rs 3.53 Lakh Crore MoUs at Davos WEF
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that the state has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 3.53 lakh crore at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos, Switzerland. These MoUs have the potential to create more than 2 lakh jobs in the state, according to a statement from the CM’s office. Record-high […]
53 Road Projects Valued at Rs 2.1 Lakh Crore Identified by Highways Ministry
BOT Model to Attract Private Investment The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has identified 53 road projects worth Rs 2.1 lakh crore to be awarded on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. The total length of these projects is 5,200 km, out of which bids for seven […]
Unpacking RBI’s Concerns Over Rising Personal Loan Disbursements by Banks
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently tightened the norms for personal loans disbursed by banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in order to curb the risks arising from the rapid growth of unsecured lending in the country. The central bank has increased the risk weights for personal loans, which will require lenders to […]
Rs 4,415 Crore Disbursed by Government under PLI Scheme; Job Creation Remains a Challenge
Disbursement Overview The Indian government has effectively disbursed Rs 4,415 crore under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, covering eight key sectors including electronics, pharmaceuticals, IT hardware, bulk drugs, medical devices, telecommunications, food processing, and drones. The fiscal year 2024 witnessed a disbursement of Rs 1,515 crore till October, following Rs 2,900 crore in the fiscal […]
Government Seeks Public Feedback on Draft Bill Proposing Repeal of Indian Stamp Act
Background The Indian Stamp Act, 1899 is a fiscal statute that lays down the law relating to tax levied in the form of stamps on instruments recording transactions. The Act is over a century old and has been amended several times to enable a more modern stamp duty regime. However, some of its provisions have […]
NHAI Plans Amendment of Model Concession Agreement for BOT Initiatives
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to amend its model concession agreement (MCA) for build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects in order to attract more private sector investments and revive the BOT toll model for highway development. Background The BOT toll model involves private developers building, operating and maintaining highways for a specified concession period, […]
Commerce Ministry Set to Launch Information Portal for Prospective Exporters
The Commerce Ministry of India is planning to launch an online platform in the next two to three months to provide all relevant information, including details about custom duties, for aspiring exporters. The portal, named ‘Trade Connect ePlatform’, will act as a one-stop place for getting all information on engaging in export activities. Benefits of […]
Government Begins Selling NHPC Stake, Offers 3.5% through OFS at ₹66 Each Share
Background The government of India has initiated a stake sale plan for the state-owned power producer NHPC Ltd, which operates 24 hydroelectric power stations across the country. The government currently holds 70.95% stake in NHPC, and aims to divest a 3.5% stake through an Offer for Sale (OFS) at ₹66 per share. Details The OFS […]