Regulatory authority mooted for downstream petroleum sector
The Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas is considering a total revamp of the regulatory functions in the downstream sector which are presently under the purview of the Oil Coordination Committee (OCC). This follows a series of recommendations made by the Tata Energy Research Institute (Teri) to the ministry recently.
US mounts pressure on Japan for energy-sector deregulation
US calls for the liberalisation of Japan's energy sector are expected to spur the slow-moving deregulation of the power industry, analysts said on Friday. US trade representative Charlene Barshefsky had asked Japanese trade minister Mitsuo Horiuchi at a meeting in France to consider extending existing trade and deregulation agreements to cover the energy sector.
Centre will weigh pros and cons of fertiliser-panel report
The government will adopt a `cautious' approach on implementation of the recommendations of the high-powered Hanumantha Rao committee on the vexatious issue of fertiliser subsidy and pricing. Any decision on the report seeking a cut in subsidies along with radical changes in its pricing structure will be taken only after extensive interaction with various groups.
Banks to raise service fee in bid to bloat coffers
Sliding lending rates -- triggered by two successive doses of bank rate cuts in April -- have forced public sector banks to explore every possible avenue to jack up income. Some banks led by the State Bank of India and Bank of India are planning to raise service charges to boost profits.
Darjeeling tea planters reel under low yield, rising labour
A low yield rate coupled with a 22 per cent rise in labour costs have seriously affected the Darjeeling tea planters. Compared to their counterparts in Dooars or Assam, the tea growers in the Darjeeling area are facing multiple problems which are retarding plans for greater crop production and yields in the area.
Self-reliance key to economy: BJP meet
The draft political resolution before the BJP national council has asked the government to make "swadeshi and swavalamban (self-reliance)" the twin-key to India's economic revival and reiterated its conviction that India shall be built by Indians.
