One of the key factors to inclusive growth is financial inclusion for all. Financial inclusion refers to universal access to a wide range of banking solutions and financial services in a fair, predictable and transparent manner at affordable costs. The poor tend to be ignored because the transaction costs in serving them are high. Initiatives that reduce these costs will allow service providers to begin thinking of financial services for...

Against auctions for concessions, wants PSU reservation to stay and Centre's veto on mining rights to remain The Supreme Court might have made a case for auctioning of natural resources, but voices within the government do not seem in conformity with the apex court directive. The Union steel ministry has raised serious objections over the auctioning route proposed as the key reform measure in the new mining legislation. The Bill is being...

In what could dramatically alter economic activity in almost 45 districts across five states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu - and the entire state of Goa, a panel of the Union environment ministry has recommended that mining and industrial growth be banned in more than 80 revenue blocks and strictly regulated in another 75-odd revenue blocks or talukas.  It also recommended a large set of regulations on other aspects...

After Haryana ban, illegal mining shifts to Sikar’s hills Who’s The Quarry? More than 400 active leases in the Sikar belt 1,200 trucks move out of Rajasthan Aravallis daily In Dabla alone, 50 ha of land mined Area has five small rivers, three clogged with sludge. *** The ceiling of her house has some long cracks, the roof has become unstable, the floor in some parts has caved in. When Reshmi built her house in the Dabla...

Justifying first come, first served poLICy, it says auction will hit promotion of teledensity The Union government on Friday justified the first come, first served (FCFS) poLICy and urged the Supreme Court to review the 2G judgment, which quashed spectrum LICences and directed issuance of fresh ones on the basis of auction. The Centre said it was only questioning the conclusion of the judgment that all national resources should be auctioned. Absurd...