Amid the heat and dust over high interest rates charged by microfinance institutions and reports of coercive recovery methods by some lenders in Andhra Pradesh, MFIs in eastern India are trying to strike a more cordial note with borrowers by lowering interest rates. At least three MFIs based out of Kolkata are on the verge of slashing lending rates by nearly 500 basis points to 19.1% per annum, on reducing balance...
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Obama visit: Fate of millions of farmers hangs in balance by Devinder Sharma
He came, he spoke, and he got 54,000 jobs. This was on Day One of his India visit. By the time he flies out of New Delhi on November 9, US President Barack Obama would have charmed his way through to force open Indian agriculture to American corporations . And therein hangs the fate of millions of small and marginal farmers. Top on the agenda is the push to make Prime...
More »New CPI to be based on state stats by Rishi Shah
The new consumer price indices set to debut in January will be compilations of indices for states that reflect the price trends prevailing in the country accurately, helping policy formulation and targeted intervention. Each state will have two consumer price indices, one for rural and another for urban areas. These CPI rural and urban will be added up to arrive at urban and rural retail indices at the national level. These...
More »Plan panel backs FDI in retail, revives debate by Gaurav Choudhury
The Planning Commission has made a strong pitch for opening up the country’s retail sector to foreign direct investment (FDI). The longstanding debate on this issue has gained an added edge with the forthcoming visit of US President Barack Obama next month. US business has for long been demanding that India open up its retail sector. “FDI in multi-brand retail trading should be permitted, since it will have both positive direct...
More »Govt divided on retail FDI as FinMin says no by Surajeet Das Gupta
The government is divided over allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand and foodgrain retailing. While the Ministry of Finance is opposed to any change in the existing retail FDI policy, the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Ministries, along with the Planning Commission, are open to the proposal mooted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. At present, FDI in these areas of retailing is banned. The finance ministry’s position gains significance in...
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