BUSINESS
Right fleet & smart pricing will help IndiGo achieve its international ambition
While IndiGo’s aggressive overseas push is a logical move given the already saturated domestic routes, execution will be the key to success
BUSINESS
UDAN needs more support to be viable
The government needs to establish a proper mechanism to regulate VGF payment to SCAs instead of relying on their self-certification, monitor the collection and payment of RCF levy by scheduled airlines and also monitor the spending on underserved/unserved airports
BUSINESS
Why the Railways can't find enough funds for safety
The ministry has blamed its failure to transfer its due share of contribution to the Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh on earnings shortfall caused by its social service obligation and the adverse impact of COVID19 pandemic
POLITICS
Rajasthan’s landmark minimum income bill to provide relief to the urban poor
The bill guarantees 125 days of work in a year to those who can work, and a monthly pension to those who can’t. An unemployment allowance would be provided if work is not given to any household demanding it
BUSINESS
As demand for MNREGA jobs rises, not all are successful at getting work
The scheme rarely lives up to its promise of guaranteeing 100 days of work.
BUSINESS
Milk prices unlikely to go up until Diwali as production increases
The pause in price increases will come as a relief for consumers who have had to pay 15 percent more for milk over the past five quarters.
INDIA
Milk wars: Amul’s expansion plan is signal for other state cooperatives to shape up
Amid the political storm over milk procurement, state cooperatives must ensure better remuneration to their dairy farmers if they are to check Amul’s forays into their turf.
BUSINESS
E2W Subsidy Phase-out: Manufacturers will be forced to innovate and launch cheaper models
It is only right that the subsidy regime gradually fades into the sunset and the government consider increasing incentives on the supply side
BUSINESS
Promoting EV Sales: FAME scheme targets need to be more realistic
While drafting FAME II, policymakers should have assessed the depth and breadth of local supply chains before earmarking localisation levels. As EV sales lag target, there is an urgent need to relook at the need, quantum and quality of subsidies
BUSINESS
Go First Insolvency Filing: Windfall for competitors as consumers' choices shrink
Go First’s grounding offers a chance to competitors to grab precious airport slots and earn higher yields in an industry notorious for unsustainable costs and pathetic earnings. No airline is likely to let this chance slip by
BUSINESS
Purchase incentive scheme to promote electric vehicles, FAME, nowhere close to sales target
The second phase of Faster Adoption of Electric Vehicles (FAME) was launched in 2019, with a sales target of 15.62 lakh EVs by March 2022. The scheme was then extended till March 2024. However, only about half the targeted vehicles had been sold till February 2023.
BUSINESS
UDAN achieves middling success amid turbulence in aviation
Though a welcome scheme to improve connectivity to small towns, design flaws, restrictive conditions and poor demand stalled its success
BUSINESS
How the Bournvita brewhaha has energised a debate over regulations
With 37.5 percent sugar, Bournvita claims to support “physical strength”, “mental strength” and “immune strength,” as the FSSAI stands meekly by, like a good boy.
BUSINESS
Land problems & investment rules keep multi-modal logistics parks on a slow track
In the first phase of each project, which is to be completed within two years from the award of the concession, the private developer is mandated to bring in at least 30 percent of the promised investment
AUTOMOBILE
Fate of EV incentives uncertain as sales fall short, subsidy allegedly misused
Two parliamentary panels want the scheme to be extended, but the government appears reluctant. Some experts say a PLI scheme would be better.
INDIA
Why activists are opposing app-based attendance at MGNREGS work sites
The system seeks to capture attendance at rural employment generation scheme sites through the National Mobile Monitoring System app. Activists argue that workers do not always have access to smartphones, and are not comfortable with technology. They are also against the govt directive to ensure that wages paid are seeded with Aadhaar.
BUSINESS
AC, refrigerator manufacturers and cold beverage makers expect hot sales in the summer, boost production
Already, thanks to zooming demand, the retail price of air conditioners, refrigerators, packaged water and aerated drinks are up year-on-year.
BUSINESS
Maggi “Chotu” price hike dents Nestle’s sales volumes and revenue growth in December quarter
Sales growth remained strong in mega and large cities despite the price increase, with metros and Tier I towns showing nearly 20 percent growth year-on-year.
BUSINESS
Budget 2023: New schemes for agri sector notwithstanding, little evidence of doubling of farmers’ income
In fact, farmer incomes have fallen in many states. However, the FM has rolled out some new initiatives with an eye on the long term.
BUSINESS
Union Budget 2023: Many surprises on rural development front
Allocation for the largest centrally sponsored scheme, the MGNREGS, has been slashed. There has been a substantial increase in the budgetary allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana. The budgetary allocation for the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana has been retained at Rs 19,000 crore.
BUSINESS
Budgeted allocation for fertilisers in FY24 squeezed on fight fiscal consolidation roadmap
The FM has been forced to allocate only Rs 1.75 lakh crore, against estimated actual expenditure of over Rs 2 lakh crore. In the past years, actual expenditure has been much above the budget estimates.
BUSINESS
Budget 2023: Agriculture credit target set at record Rs 20 lakh crore
The focus will be on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, the finance minister said.
BUSINESS
Room for growth: Economic Survey lists out hits and misses in the agri sector
While the promise of doubling farm income has been unmet, there has been progress on credit growth to the sector and insurance cover for crops, even as it highlights the perils of climate change
BUSINESS
Budget 2023: Cattle insurance scheme likely to be announced in budget
The scheme could broadly be modelled on the PMFBY. Cattle owners may be asked to pay a minimal premium, with the remaining amount being shared equally by the Central and state governments
