-The Times of India   An inter-ministerial group (IMG) on inflation has recommended allowing foreign direct investment in multi-product Retail as one of the two steps to tame rising prices and cut down the margin between farm gate and Retail prices. This is the first formal recommendation by a government panel to allow FDI in the tightly policed and sensitive Retail sector. "It is time for India to allow foreign direct investment in...

Good politics and good economics can make compatible bedfellows, if the timing is right. Food, its producers and consumers, are now the Centre's most potent political and economic battleground. Politically speaking, this could be the best time for the UPA to reclaim its dog-eared pro-people credentials through the Bill. The Right to Food Bill has triggered many apprehensions, including fears of a higher subsidy burden, an adverse impact on private...

-The Business Standard   Concerned over rising inflation, the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) today suggested opening up multi-brand Retail to foreign investors and changes in agriculture marketing laws to check the rate of price rise. “We are taking a clear position on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi-brand Retail. Of course, it is a recommendation, not policy,” said chief economic advisor and IMG chairman Kaushik Basu. The IMG, he added, favours formulation of a...

-The Economic Times   World Trade Organisation (WTO), the primary international body to help promote free trade has questioned India for providing subsidy on only indigenous ammonium sulphate and not on the imported fertiliser. " WTO has asked India to furnish details as to why it has kept imported ammonium sulphate out of the ambit of Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) policy," a senior Fertiliser Ministry told PTI. The Fertiliser Ministry is still examining the...

Apparel exporters risk losing clients like GAP, Reebok and Nike if India fails to convince the US on Friday that its industry does not employ children. India has been asked to defend itself in the US on May 20 against charges of child labour. Child labour is a sensitive issue for American multinationals who source 30% of their global requirements from India. The brands can stop India sourcing if the country...