http://www.financialexpress.com The Financial Express Online Edition en-us Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:25:33 GMT Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:25:33 GMT http://www.expressindia.com/syndications/ The Indian Express Group editor@expressindia.com (Editor) admin@expressindia.com (Admin) http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Allies-confront-govt-on-fuel-price-hike/484266/ Serving up a sharp reminder to the Congress that the Manmohan Singh government is not a single party regime but a multi-party coalition, partners of the UPA on Thursday chose to distance themselves from the Congress-led government's decision to hike fuel prices and demanded a rollback of the "anti-people" move. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Allies-confront-govt-on-fuel-price-hike/484266/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Allies-confront-govt-on-fuel-price-hike/484266/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Haryana-to-reward-power-conservation/484258/ The Haryana government has launched a new scheme to encourage energy conservation in villages of the state. Under the scheme, the deserving panchayats would be awarded cash prizes ranging between Rs 20,000 and Rs 4 lakh for popularising the applications of various non-conventional and renewable sources of energy in their respective villages. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Haryana-to-reward-power-conservation/484258/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Haryana-to-reward-power-conservation/484258/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FE-Editorial-Surveying-well/484243/ There's a game that's played when the Economic Survey is released-clues to the Budget. This is not a very interesting game because (a) the Budget comes soon after (b) years of evidence show the link between the two documents is very tenuous. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FE-Editorial-Surveying-well/484243/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FE-Editorial-Surveying-well/484243/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Air-India-assurance-on-salary-payment-fails-to-calm-unions/484232/ Even as the salary issue is snowballing into a crisis, Air India on Thursday tried to quell fears, saying it is working towards salary payment to employees from Friday, as discussed with the airline's unions earlier. However, the unions are not convinced. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Air-India-assurance-on-salary-payment-fails-to-calm-unions/484232/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Air-India-assurance-on-salary-payment-fails-to-calm-unions/484232/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/India-Incs-cost-of-overseas-borrowings-remain-high/484227/ Indian corporates borrow at a premium close to 200 bps relative to their peers in other advanced and developing economies and that opening up the Indian economy to foreign debt capital could reduce this premium and thereby boost corporate profits by 7% and GDP by 1.3%. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/India-Incs-cost-of-overseas-borrowings-remain-high/484227/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/India-Incs-cost-of-overseas-borrowings-remain-high/484227/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Novelis-recovery-unlikely-in-2-years-experts/484222/ Hindalco's 100% subsidiary Novelis is unlikely to witness a turnaround for 1-2 years, as a persistent fall in aluminium prices, a dip in demand, its derivatives position and a beating on its margins may not put the company on a recovery path in the near future, feel experts. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Novelis-recovery-unlikely-in-2-years-experts/484222/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Novelis-recovery-unlikely-in-2-years-experts/484222/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/First-locate-then-allocate/484221/ Budget 2009-10 will be presented on Monday. The country is in the grip of a global recession resulting from the financial crisis that shook the world last year. The previous government responded to last year's slowdown with increased spending on infrastructure. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/First-locate-then-allocate/484221/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/First-locate-then-allocate/484221/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Maytas-Infra-CDR-gets-banks-nod/484205/ The lending institutions of Maytas Infra have finally given their nod to the corporate debt restructuring package prepared by SBI Capital Markets. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Maytas-Infra-CDR-gets-banks-nod/484205/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Maytas-Infra-CDR-gets-banks-nod/484205/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/This-isnt-issue-of-next-Budget-some-of-these-things-have-been-on-for-20-years/484200/ Arvind Virmani, chief economic advisor, ministry of finance, said the domestic financial market reforms get greater urgency in the backdrop of a fall in capital inflows. Virmani, the chief architect of the Economic Survey 2008-09, said: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/This-isnt-issue-of-next-Budget-some-of-these-things-have-been-on-for-20-years/484200/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/This-isnt-issue-of-next-Budget-some-of-these-things-have-been-on-for-20-years/484200/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Reform-Wishes/484342/ Barely 16 months ago, the Economic Survey for 2007-08 had asserted that India's growth rate is unlikely to slip below 9% in the 'next few years.' On Thursday, when the Survey for 2008-09 was tabled by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, it reported a GDP growth of 6.7% after stimulus measures worth 3.5% of GDP were added. For 2009-10, the Survey sets a growth target of 7%, which, Mukherjee said, could be surpassed 'if luck favours' - a far cry from the confidence in the last Survey. The Survey, tabled in the Lok Sabha amidst protests against the fuel price hike announced on Wednesday, however, stressed that it is possible to return to the 8.5-9% growth path seen in recent years. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Reform-Wishes/484342/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Reform-Wishes/484342/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Raw-cotton-exports-touch-32-lakh-bales/484313/ Export of raw cotton from the country may slowdown over the next few days mainly on higher domestic cotton prices supported by absence of fresh buying from overseas thanks to economic slowdown. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Raw-cotton-exports-touch-32-lakh-bales/484313/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Raw-cotton-exports-touch-32-lakh-bales/484313/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Gay-sex-legalised-by-Delhi-High-Court/484303/ In a pathbreaking judgement, the Delhi High Court on Thursday legalised gay sex among consenting adults holding that the law making it a criminal offence violates fundamental rights. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Gay-sex-legalised-by-Delhi-High-Court/484303/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Gay-sex-legalised-by-Delhi-High-Court/484303/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/The-end-of-retirement/484297/ When Otto von Bismarck introduced the first pension for workers over 70 in 1889, the life expectancy of a Prussian was 45. In 1908, when Lloyd George bullied through a payment of five shillings a week for poor men who had reached 70, Britons, especially poor ones, were lucky to survive much past 50. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/The-end-of-retirement/484297/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/The-end-of-retirement/484297/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/GM-plans-garage-sale-for-toxic-plants-New-Jersey-golf-course/484284/ As General Motors Corp prepares to sell its best assets to a streamlined new entity, the worst of what it owns will be auctioned off in bankruptcy court, including contaminated factory sites, parking lots in Flint, Michigan, and a nine-hole golf course in New Jersey. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/GM-plans-garage-sale-for-toxic-plants-New-Jersey-golf-course/484284/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/GM-plans-garage-sale-for-toxic-plants-New-Jersey-golf-course/484284/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Agitated-for-temple-not-for-masjid-demolition-Uma-Bharti/484269/ Insisting that she was not involved in bringing down Babri Masjid, expelled BJP leader Uma Bharti, a prime accused in the case on Thursday said she is ready to face any consequences in the wake of the submission of the Liberhan Commission report to the Prime Minister. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Agitated-for-temple-not-for-masjid-demolition-Uma-Bharti/484269/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Agitated-for-temple-not-for-masjid-demolition-Uma-Bharti/484269/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tehri-project/484261/ Uttarakhand CM Ramesh Nishank has asked Tehri Hydro Development Corporation to ensure 100% power generation from the first phase. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tehri-project/484261/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tehri-project/484261/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bridging-the-gap/484234/ Ajit Gulabchand has been among the busiest men in Mumbai this week, brushing shoulders with dignitaries and incessantly answering queries from the media, his silver hair aflutter in the winds over the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bridging-the-gap/484234/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bridging-the-gap/484234/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bullish-mkt-gives-a-fillip-to-Ulip-products/484228/ With stock market bouncing back in the country, the life insurnace policy holders are now more keen to buy equity-linked Ulip products. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bullish-mkt-gives-a-fillip-to-Ulip-products/484228/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bullish-mkt-gives-a-fillip-to-Ulip-products/484228/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Areva-to-sell-Indian-arm-hive-off-TampD-biz/484224/ French power equipment maker Areva is all set to dispose of its transmission & distribution business, including its Indian arm Areva T&D. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Areva-to-sell-Indian-arm-hive-off-TampD-biz/484224/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Areva-to-sell-Indian-arm-hive-off-TampD-biz/484224/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Why-should-anyone-farm/484223/ The Union Budget is normally seen as a policy package or concessions to be given to India Inc while paying formal obeisance to the common man by giving a few concessions. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Why-should-anyone-farm/484223/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Why-should-anyone-farm/484223/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FMCG-industry-seeks-GST-implementation-by-Apr-10/484201/ The Rs 82,000 crore Indian FMCG industry is primarily seeking the implementation of the GST by April 1, 2010 in the upcoming Union Budget. Industry captains expect fiscal measures that will spur growth of the FMCG sector in rural as well as urban India. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FMCG-industry-seeks-GST-implementation-by-Apr-10/484201/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FMCG-industry-seeks-GST-implementation-by-Apr-10/484201/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Chapter-2-makes-all-the-difference/484244/ Why does one read the Economic Survey? It is usually an extremely boring and unattractive document. Once upon a time, one used to read it because it was only source of data. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Chapter-2-makes-all-the-difference/484244/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Chapter-2-makes-all-the-difference/484244/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Its-all-part-of-5year-agenda-Virmani/484348/ The radical reform agenda that made the stock markets soar briefly by 88 points at noon is not a one-year Budget agenda, according to chief economic advisor Arvind Virmani. "It is a four to five-year agenda" he said in an interview to FE. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Its-all-part-of-5year-agenda-Virmani/484348/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Its-all-part-of-5year-agenda-Virmani/484348/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Monsoon-shortfall-now-at-29/484314/ Monsoon for the week ended July 1 was 29% below normal, improving from a 68% shortfall in the previous seven days, the weather office said on Thursday. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Monsoon-shortfall-now-at-29/484314/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Monsoon-shortfall-now-at-29/484314/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Jolie-Aniston-are-Hollywood-top-earners/484306/ Angelina Jolie is Hollywood's top earning actress, banking $27 million in the past year to beat out her partner Brad Pitt's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, who raked in $25 million, a Forbes.com study showed on Wednesday. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Jolie-Aniston-are-Hollywood-top-earners/484306/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Jolie-Aniston-are-Hollywood-top-earners/484306/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Alternative-social-investments/484300/ This has been the worst year or so in history for the hedge-fund industry, with many funds suffering deep losses and record numbers of them going out of business. Yet some leading hedge-funders remain firmly committed to giving away a chunk of their fortunes. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Alternative-social-investments/484300/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Alternative-social-investments/484300/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Public-issue-likely-in-2010/484287/ General Motors Corp, the bankrupt automaker selling most of its assets to the US government, may file for an initial public offering of its stock in 2010, said an adviser to the Obama administration's auto task force. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Public-issue-likely-in-2010/484287/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Public-issue-likely-in-2010/484287/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Economic-oddities-you-must-Survey/484250/ The annual Economic Survey is a treasure trove of interesting facts and numbers on the state of the Indian economy. The impressive 2008-09 Survey is no exception. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Economic-oddities-you-must-Survey/484250/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Economic-oddities-you-must-Survey/484250/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Asked-to-give-restructuring-plan-in-30-days/484235/ Asserting that government support cannot be taken for granted by it, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Thursday said that cash-strapped Air India has been asked to provide a restructuring plan in the next 30 days. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Asked-to-give-restructuring-plan-in-30-days/484235/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Asked-to-give-restructuring-plan-in-30-days/484235/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bajaj-Allianz-picks-2-5-stake-in-SKS-Microfin/484229/ Bajaj Allianz, one of India's leading insurer offering general and life insurance products, has announced a strategic investment of Rs 50 crore in SKS Microfinance. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bajaj-Allianz-picks-2-5-stake-in-SKS-Microfin/484229/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bajaj-Allianz-picks-2-5-stake-in-SKS-Microfin/484229/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Freight-and-fume/484226/ Indian industry's most vivid memory of Lalu Yadav's tenure as rail minister is his frequent mid-year tampering with freight rates after he had set them in his Budget. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Freight-and-fume/484226/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Freight-and-fume/484226/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tech-M-eyes-2nd-pref-issue-to-up-Satyam-stake/484225/ Tech Mahindra, the new owner of the Satyam Computer Services, is looking forward to a second round of preferential allotment of shares to increase its stake in the latter after an open offer evoked a weak response. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tech-M-eyes-2nd-pref-issue-to-up-Satyam-stake/484225/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tech-M-eyes-2nd-pref-issue-to-up-Satyam-stake/484225/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/MF-assets-grow-5-in-June-to-Rs-6-7-lakh-cr/484202/ The momentum for asset growth in the mutual fund industry continues in the month of June as well as the combined asset under management grew 4.99% in June to Rs 6.7 lakh crore, with Reliance MF alone contributing Rs 5,600 crore. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/MF-assets-grow-5-in-June-to-Rs-6-7-lakh-cr/484202/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/MF-assets-grow-5-in-June-to-Rs-6-7-lakh-cr/484202/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Areva-TampD-put-on-block/484352/ Shares of Areva T&D India Ltd, an arm of French power equipment manufacturer Areva France SA, plunged 3.80% on the BSE on Thursday after its parent announced plans to dispose of its T&D businesses globally. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Areva-TampD-put-on-block/484352/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Areva-TampD-put-on-block/484352/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Spice-exports-volume-for-AprilMay-go-down-23/484316/ With major spices like pepper, chilli and mint products recording a decline in export in terms of both volume and value during the first two months of the current fiscal, spices exports from the nation are likely to register a negative growth after several years. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Spice-exports-volume-for-AprilMay-go-down-23/484316/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Spice-exports-volume-for-AprilMay-go-down-23/484316/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Most-Americans-believe-Jackson-coverage-excessive/484307/ Nearly two out of three Americans believe the media gave too much coverage to the death of Michael Jackson and just three per cent think it was too little, according to a survey. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Most-Americans-believe-Jackson-coverage-excessive/484307/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Most-Americans-believe-Jackson-coverage-excessive/484307/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/ECB-keeps-key-rate-at-record-low-of-1/484289/ The European Central Bank kept interest rates steady as it rolls out new tools to battle the worst recession since World War II. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/ECB-keeps-key-rate-at-record-low-of-1/484289/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/ECB-keeps-key-rate-at-record-low-of-1/484289/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Court-cites-constitutional-principles-as-it-decriminalises-homosexuality/484277/ Article 14 guarantees all people "equality before the law;" Article 15 prohibits discrimination "on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth;" and Article 21 guarantees "protection of life and personal liberty." http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Court-cites-constitutional-principles-as-it-decriminalises-homosexuality/484277/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Court-cites-constitutional-principles-as-it-decriminalises-homosexuality/484277/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Vegetable-Survey/484252/ This bit from the Economic Survey may occupy a lot of official attention in 2009-10: 'continued food inflation though moderating of late could undermine inclusive growth, in particular efforts to combat poverty.' http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Vegetable-Survey/484252/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Column-Vegetable-Survey/484252/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Ex-Satyamite-roped-in-to-bolster-Hinduja-tech-arm/484237/ As part of its diversification and de-risking strategy, Hindujas have decided to spruce up its technology arm, Defiance Tech Pvt Ltd, to become one of the top 10 integrated engineering... http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Ex-Satyamite-roped-in-to-bolster-Hinduja-tech-arm/484237/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Ex-Satyamite-roped-in-to-bolster-Hinduja-tech-arm/484237/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Rupee-falls-yields-slid/484231/ Rupee fell for the first time in five days on speculation some importers used the currency's recent gains to buy cheaper foreign exchange. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Rupee-falls-yields-slid/484231/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Rupee-falls-yields-slid/484231/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Eavesdropper/484230/ The media may have missed the fact but savvy government babus haven't: both the Rail Budget and the Budget this year will be presented by Bengal politicians. This very unusual fact has led to plenty of interesting talk in North Block. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Eavesdropper/484230/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Eavesdropper/484230/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/MCAindustry-parley-on-Companies-Bill-on-Jul-4/484203/ Corporate affairs minister Salman Khurshid will meet the industry captains under the aegis of the CII on July 4 to discuss major issues surrounding India Inc such as the role and responsibility of independent directors, corporate governance and role of auditors. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/MCAindustry-parley-on-Companies-Bill-on-Jul-4/484203/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/MCAindustry-parley-on-Companies-Bill-on-Jul-4/484203/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Subbarao-faults-inflation-data/484354/ Reserve Bank governor D Subbarao slammed the country's wholesale price-based inflation, and said industrial production data needs to be improved and employment data has to come regularly for effective monetary policy management. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Subbarao-faults-inflation-data/484354/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Subbarao-faults-inflation-data/484354/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Twothird-of-Indias-youth-find-drinking-unacceptable/484312/ Rave parties may be on the rise and gender, educational attainment and place of residence seem to influence the attitude of youth towards drinking but over two-thirds of India's young generation consider alcohol consumption to be unacceptable, according to a new book. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Twothird-of-Indias-youth-find-drinking-unacceptable/484312/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Twothird-of-Indias-youth-find-drinking-unacceptable/484312/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/US-unemployment-rate-seen-at-26year-high/484294/ Employers in the US probably cut an additional 3,65,000 jobs in June, a government report may show on Thursday, offering little evidence the Obama administration's stimulus package is shoring up the labour market. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/US-unemployment-rate-seen-at-26year-high/484294/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/US-unemployment-rate-seen-at-26year-high/484294/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FE-Editorial-Diesel-for-the-rich/484254/ It is almost impossible to find any merit in the government's fuel pricing policy, even after the hike in petrol and diesel prices on Thursday. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FE-Editorial-Diesel-for-the-rich/484254/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/FE-Editorial-Diesel-for-the-rich/484254/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tata-Steel-stocks-rise-on-talk-of-600m-GDR/484238/ Tata Steel Ltd is planning to sell $600 million of global depositary receipts to fund its India and UK operations, according to sources. Citigroup and JPMorgan are believed to be arrangers for the issue. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tata-Steel-stocks-rise-on-talk-of-600m-GDR/484238/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Tata-Steel-stocks-rise-on-talk-of-600m-GDR/484238/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Inflation-at-minus-1-3/484204/ Inflation stayed negative for the third week in a row, at minus 1.3% for the week ended June 20, even as prices of food like fruit and vegetables rose as compared to last year during the same period. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Inflation-at-minus-1-3/484204/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Inflation-at-minus-1-3/484204/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Letters-to-the-editor-The-flaw-is-structural/484256/ If India is not faring well on indicators such as enforcing contracts, paying taxes and dealing with licences, administrative and governance-related problems are most likely responsible for it. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Letters-to-the-editor-The-flaw-is-structural/484256/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Letters-to-the-editor-The-flaw-is-structural/484256/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Airlines-cut-fares-to-beat-monsoon-woes/484240/ At a time when airlines are struggling to make both ends meet, reduction in fare from the carriers comes as a shocker. Airlines have introduced low fares to increase yield per passenger. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Airlines-cut-fares-to-beat-monsoon-woes/484240/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Airlines-cut-fares-to-beat-monsoon-woes/484240/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bring-in-tax-reforms-scrap-cess-surcharges/484206/ Stressing on the need to "restructure the tax and expenditure policy in order to strengthen the automatic stabilisers" in the economy, the Economic Survey 2008-09 has called for long-pending tax reforms, including the timely implementation of the goods and services tax as well as removal of transaction taxes, cesses, surcharges and customs duty exemptions. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bring-in-tax-reforms-scrap-cess-surcharges/484206/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bring-in-tax-reforms-scrap-cess-surcharges/484206/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/The-first-statement-of-intent-from-new-govt/484207/ The annual report card for the economy indicated definite strains to the economy as a result of the global economic crisis. However, it also points out the rosier side. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/The-first-statement-of-intent-from-new-govt/484207/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/The-first-statement-of-intent-from-new-govt/484207/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Target-zero-fiscal-deficit-but-with-flexibility/484209/ While endorsing continuation of fiscal stimulus in this year, the Economic Survey 2008-09 suggested a number of reform measures to achieve fiscal consolidation over long term. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Target-zero-fiscal-deficit-but-with-flexibility/484209/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Target-zero-fiscal-deficit-but-with-flexibility/484209/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/GDP-pegged-at-7-5-on-US-recovery/484210/ The Indian economy is likely to see an economic growth of roughly 7-7.50% during the financial year 2009-10, in the midst of a bottoming out in the US economy by September 2009, and a normal monsoon, said the finance ministry during the Economic Survey on Thursday. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/GDP-pegged-at-7-5-on-US-recovery/484210/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/GDP-pegged-at-7-5-on-US-recovery/484210/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Increase-food-production-to-curb-inflation-meet-demand/484212/ The government should increase production of food items to increase supply and reduce food inflation, Economic Survey 2008-09 said on Thursday. It also asked for calibrated absorption of excess liquidity in the market to avoid the return to inflationary trend. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Increase-food-production-to-curb-inflation-meet-demand/484212/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Increase-food-production-to-curb-inflation-meet-demand/484212/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Allow-FDI-in-multibrand-retail/484213/ While the UPA regime has so far succumbed to political pressure and desisted from opening up multi-brand retail to foreign direct investment, the Economic Survey has suggested that the time has come for the government to allow FDI in multi-brand retail. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Allow-FDI-in-multibrand-retail/484213/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Allow-FDI-in-multibrand-retail/484213/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bigbang-divestments-to-net-Rs-25-000-crore/484214/ In a re-iteration of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's agenda of stake sales in all profitable public sector enterprises, the Economic Survey 2008-09 on Thursday has made a case for big-bang disinvestment by listing all unlisted PSUs and selling off loss making ones. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bigbang-divestments-to-net-Rs-25-000-crore/484214/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Bigbang-divestments-to-net-Rs-25-000-crore/484214/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Decontrolling-petrol-prices-the-key/484215/ Using the low global crude oil prices as a window of opportunity, the government should have decontrolled petrol and diesel prices much earlier, said the pre-Budget annual Economic Survey terming the government's handling of the oil price hike situation as 'imperfect'. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Decontrolling-petrol-prices-the-key/484215/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Decontrolling-petrol-prices-the-key/484215/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Enable-pvt-players-access-to-BSNLs-local-loop/484216/ Going against the wishes of the department of telecommunications, the Economic Survey has said for broader and faster penetration of broadband, especially in the rural areas, the government should allow private players access to BSNL's local loop, which provides 'last mile access'. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Enable-pvt-players-access-to-BSNLs-local-loop/484216/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Enable-pvt-players-access-to-BSNLs-local-loop/484216/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Lift-ban-on-farm-futures-free-sugar-amp-fert-sectors/484217/ Advocating a sea-change in policy approach to commodity markets and agriculture that has seen growth decline to 1.6% in 2008-09 in the later, the Economic Survey for 2008-09. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Lift-ban-on-farm-futures-free-sugar-amp-fert-sectors/484217/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Lift-ban-on-farm-futures-free-sugar-amp-fert-sectors/484217/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Multipronged-action-to-prop-up-agriculture/484218/ Economic Survey for the year 2008-09 tabled in the Parliament on Thursday recognises the well perceived role of agriculture in Indian economy and it highlights official view on various aspects related to performance of agriculture sector. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Multipronged-action-to-prop-up-agriculture/484218/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Multipronged-action-to-prop-up-agriculture/484218/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Poverty-reduced-but-malnutrition-still-high/484219/ While acknowledging the UPA government's thrust on increasing social sector investments through programmes like National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme... http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Poverty-reduced-but-malnutrition-still-high/484219/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Poverty-reduced-but-malnutrition-still-high/484219/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Unemployment-rate-to-fall-below-5-by-2012/484220/ Despite the severe meltdown in global economy and consequent job losses in India since September last year, the Economic Survey has exuded optimism that there would be reduction in unemployment rate by the end of the Eleventh Five Year Plan. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Unemployment-rate-to-fall-below-5-by-2012/484220/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Unemployment-rate-to-fall-below-5-by-2012/484220/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Monetary-policy-steps-to-power-growth/484233/ The Economic Survey said the focus in the coming months will continue to be on having a calibrated approach to using monetary policy measures for an early return to the high growth path. At the same time, efforts to build and preserve financial stability in the economy have to be high on the agenda. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Monetary-policy-steps-to-power-growth/484233/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Monetary-policy-steps-to-power-growth/484233/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Last-years-challenges-to-continue-this-year/484236/ The Finance Minister presented the Economic Survey 2008-09 to Parliament, outlining the economic position for the previous year and steps needed to arrest the deceleration of growth in the short and medium term. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Last-years-challenges-to-continue-this-year/484236/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Last-years-challenges-to-continue-this-year/484236/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Scrap-all-transaction-taxes-to-boost-trading/484239/ The Economic Survey 2008-09 has proposed the removal of securities transaction tax, commodity transaction tax, rationalisation of dividend distribution tax and disinvestment of public sector undertaking. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Scrap-all-transaction-taxes-to-boost-trading/484239/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Scrap-all-transaction-taxes-to-boost-trading/484239/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Rationalise-tax-structure-focus-on-export-infra-to-push-foreign-trade/484241/ Projecting difficult times to continue in 2009 for the country's exporting community, the Economic Survey 2008-09 suggested the government to rationalise the tax structure, prepare a specific policy on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements and focus on export infrastructure to improve foreign trade. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Rationalise-tax-structure-focus-on-export-infra-to-push-foreign-trade/484241/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Rationalise-tax-structure-focus-on-export-infra-to-push-foreign-trade/484241/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Delink-licence-from-spectrum-go-for-nominal-regulatory-charge/484242/ In line with the recommendations of the department of telecommunications and industry committee on reviewing spectrum pricing, the Economic Survey has made a strong case for de-linking the telecom licence from the spectrum and also said spectrum trading should be allowed in the country. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Delink-licence-from-spectrum-go-for-nominal-regulatory-charge/484242/ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Delink-licence-from-spectrum-go-for-nominal-regulatory-charge/484242/ http://www.financialexpress.com/grfx/fe88x31.gif http://www.financialexpress.com