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The just-announced <keyword id="22906567" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Unified-Pension-Scheme" source="keywords">Unified Pension Scheme</keyword> for central <keyword id="19933272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-employees" source="keywords">government employees</keyword> will be available only for those who are currently subscribers of the New Pension Scheme (NPS), including retirees. The new scheme guarantees employees 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement, as a pension for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years against a market returns linked payout under the NPS. According to the scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, the pension will be proportionate for a lesser service period of up to a minimum of 10 years. Also, assured pension of Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation after a minimum of 10 years of service will be provided. The scheme has been brought out to address the concerns of government employees over NPS, which came into effect from January 1, 2004. Under the <keyword id="3246232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Old-Pension-Scheme" source="Orion">old pension scheme</keyword> (OPS), effective before January 2004, employees got 50 % of their last drawn basic pay as pension. Unlike the old pension scheme, UPS is contributory in nature, wherein employees will be required to contribute 10% of their basic salary and dearness allowance while the employer's contribution (the central government) will be 18.5%. Under the NPS, the employer contribution is 14%, and the employee contribution is 10%. However, the eventual payout depends on the market returns on that corpus, mostly invested in government debt. Employees, under the OPS, were not required to make any contribution. They, however, contributed to the General Provident Fund (GPF). The accumulated amount, along with interest, was paid to the employee at the time of retirement. As the NPS was less attractive than the OPS, several non-BJP-ruled states decided to go back to the old pension scheme, which offered a DA-linked benefit. This prompted the Centre to constitute a committee in April 2023, under former Finance Secretary and now Cabinet Secretary-designate TV Somanathan to suggest improvement in the NPS architecture. Fulfilling the long pending demands of government employees ahead of assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Cabinet on August 24 approved the UPS, which will provide assured pension to 23 lakh eligible central government employees. Those opting for the UPS will not be able to switch back. The UPS will put an additional burden of Rs 6,250 crore on the exchequer per year. The expenditure will vary every year according to variations in the number of employees. In addition, there will be an arrear of Rs 800 crore that has to be paid under the National Pension System (NPS) to employees retiring before March 31, 2025. If these retirees opt for UPS, they will receive arrears. "UPS is being implemented by the Central Government, benefitting 23 lakh central government employees," Information &amp; Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on X on Sunday. If states also adopt the UPS architecture, a total of over 90 lakh government employees, who are presently on NPS, would be benefitted, he added. On Sunday, Maharashtra, where assembly elections are due later in the year, became the first state to announce the adoption of the UPS for its employees. RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) said though the government has attempted to overcome the shortcomings of the NPS, there are still some issues compared to OPS. BMS will decide its future course of action only after a detailed study of the UPS after it is notified. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said it is nothing but an extension of the existing NPS. The trade union expressed apprehensions that UPS will have a lot of aberrations once implemented. AITUC reiterated that it will continue to fight for the restoration of the non-contributory OPS. ICRA Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said assured pensions will add to the government's committed expenditure in the future while reducing the uncertainty for employees. "This will have to be built into the fiscal consolidation roadmap going ahead," Nayar added. The UPS reflects a thoughtful approach to long-term social security, addressing concerns about the adequacy and sustainability of pension benefits in a rapidly changing economic landscape, said Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co Partner Dorothy Thomas. "This move signals the government's commitment to providing robust support for its workforce, enhancing financial stability for millions of government employees across the country," Thomas said.

Over 23 lakh govt employees under NPS get option to choose unified pension scheme

The Indian cement industry is on track to reach 5.09 billion tonnes by 2028-29, driven by robust government investment in infrastructure. According to an IANS report originally attributed to Infomerics Ratings, this marks a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9 per cent between 2024 and 2029. In 2022-23, the industry’s market size stood at 3.82 billion tonnes, with a total installed capacity of 622 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in FY24 and production at 427 million tonnes. Notably, India contributes over 8 per cent to the world’s total installed cement capacity, highlighting its importance in the global market. Despite this, India’s per capita cement consumption is 260 kg—significantly below the global average of 540 kg—indicating substantial room for growth. Globally, the cement market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3 per cent from 2024 to 2032. The sector’s expansion is fuelled by ambitious government initiatives, including an allocation of ₹11.11 lakh crore for infrastructure in FY25 and housing schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The construction sector consumes 55 per cent of cement production, while public infrastructure projects account for the remainder. The industry also plays a critical role in employment, providing direct jobs to over one million people and creating downstream opportunities for about 20,000 individuals per million tonnes of cement produced. Private players dominate the sector, controlling 98 per cent of production capacity, while public sector units hold a mere 2 per cent. Domestic production meets almost all demand, with imports accounting for just 0.2 per cent of total production in FY23. However, exports have declined recently due to reduced global demand and rising competition. India currently has 341 cement manufacturing facilities, including 159 integrated large cement plants, 120 grinding units, and 62 mini cement plants. Cement production has seen steady growth, with a 7.1 per cent increase in September 2024 and a cumulative growth of 1.6 per cent between April and September of FY25, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This growth aligns with India’s overall industrial performance, which saw a 2 per cent rise in core industries in September, led by cement, steel, coal, and fertilisers. As India invests heavily in infrastructure and housing, the cement industry is set to play a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s economic and developmental goals. (with IANS inputs)

India's cement industry expected to grow to 5.09 billion tonnes by 2028-29 amid infrastructure push: Report

The Congress on Wednesday said the <keyword id="19900449" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government" source="keywords">government</keyword>'s proposal of giving individuals the option to choose between two tax rates for long-term capital gains (<keyword id="6357448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="LTCG" source="Orion">LTCG</keyword>) tax on properties is not enough. It should also allow <keyword id="21006654" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="indexation-benefits" source="keywords">indexation benefits</keyword> for other forms of <keyword id="20044873" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="savings" source="keywords">savings</keyword> such as <keyword id="19905382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stocks" source="keywords">stocks</keyword> and <keyword id="19975805" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fixed-deposits" source="keywords">fixed deposits</keyword>. Professionals' Congress Chairman Praveen Chakravarty accused the government of "betraying" the middle and salaried class in the Union Budget through the removal of indexation and higher taxes on their savings and <keyword id="22703183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-gains" source="keywords">investment gains</keyword>. "On 23rd July, Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> presented the government's budget in Parliament. We welcomed certain aspects but we strongly opposed many parts of the budget. We welcomed the fact that the FM took some ideas from the Congress party's manifesto such as the employment linked incentive (ELI) scheme, the Apprenticeship Act and removing Angel tax," Chakravarty said at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here. Among other things, we strongly opposed what the finance did to the middle class and salaried professionals, he said. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in his response to the Budget in Parliament categorically said that this was a "betrayal of the middle class" through removal of indexation and higher taxes on their savings and investment gains, Chakravarty pointed out. "He (Gandhi) had promised to fight for the middle class on this issue. This issue affected nearly 7 crore Indians who filed income taxes, owned or aspire to own a home and invest their savings. In this budget, effectively, through removal of indexation and increase in capital gains taxes, the taxes of salaried professionals through investment gains went up dramatically," he said. Already, the middle class and the salaried professionals are bearing the brunt of taxation under the Modi government because for the first time in India, total income taxes paid by middle class individuals are higher than taxes paid by rich corporates, Chakravarty said. There were huge protests on social media and in business events in cities like Mumbai where professionals came out spontaneously to protest, he said. Chakravarty said the <keyword id="22703184" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="All-India-Professionals-Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="All India Professionals' Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="All India Professionals' Congress">All India Professionals' Congress</keyword> and the Congress Party launched a campaign to 'Bring Back Indexation' with a petition asking people to sign it. "We had nearly 12,000 people who signed the petition in just one day since its launch. Yesterday, the government of India announced a rollback of indexation of property gains by giving individuals the option to continue with indexation benefits. We welcome this. This is a victory to the 7 crore people that file income tax," he said. "But this is not enough. We urge the government to allow indexation benefits for other forms of savings too such as stocks, debt, fixed deposits and so on," Chakravarty asserted. More importantly, this is a testament to middle class power and the power of democracy, he said. "When professionals come together and raise their voice, it will be heard. This is also proof of what a strong Opposition and a concerted and united effort can achieve for the people of India. The AIPC will continue to raise issues that impact the middle class working professionals," Chakravarty said. His remarks come a day after the government proposed significant relief for individuals who bought houses before July 23, 2024, by giving them the option to choose between two tax rates for long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax. The Budget 2024-25 had proposed to lower the LTCG from 20% to 12.5% but removed the indexation benefits. The new rates have come into effect from July 23, 2024. The indexation benefit allowed the taxpayers to compute gains arising out of the sale of capital assets after adjusting for inflation. The tax experts had said that the proposed changes in the Budget would raise the LTCG tax burden. As per the amendments to Finance Bill, 2024, circulated to the Lok Sabha members on Tuesday, individuals or HuF who bought houses before July 23, 2024, can compute his/her taxes under the new scheme (@12.5% without indexation) and old scheme (@20% with indexation) and pay such tax which is lower of the two. After the Budget presentation, the Income Tax department said that 'substantial tax savings' are expected for a vast majority of taxpayers due to a reduction in the long-term capital gains tax (LTCG) rate in the real estate sector. As per the changes brought in the 2024-25 Budget, the government has retained the indexation benefit for the taxpayers on properties bought or inherited before 2001.

Allow indexation benefits for savings such as stocks, fixed deposits: Cong to govt

<keyword id="19895437" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment" source="keywords">Investment</keyword> in <keyword id="20300870" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="equity-mutual-funds" source="keywords">equity mutual funds</keyword> surged over five-fold to Rs 94,151 crore in the June 2024 quarter against Rs 18,358 crore a year ago, driven by a strong <keyword id="21477327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-environment" source="keywords">economic environment</keyword>, supportive <keyword id="22575274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-fiscal-policies" source="keywords">government fiscal policies</keyword>, <keyword id="19900618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investors" source="keywords">investors</keyword> confidence and robust <keyword id="21990858" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stock-return" source="keywords">stock return</keyword>. This has also pushed the industry's assets under management (<keyword id="20019621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AUM" source="keywords">AUM</keyword>) by 59 per cent to Rs 27.68 lakh crore in June from Rs 17.43 lakh crore a year ago, data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (<keyword id="20090036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AMFI" source="keywords">AMFI</keyword>) showed. The robust gain in the asset base was also replicated in the growth of investors in equity mutual funds, with the number of folios closing at 13.3 crore, adding an investor base of over 3 crore. The significant gain in equity folios indicates broader participation across investor segments, driven by improved <keyword id="19929245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-literacy" source="keywords">financial literacy</keyword> and accessible investment platforms, Trivesh D, COO of stock trading platform Tradejini, told PTI. According to the AMFI data, equity-oriented mutual fund schemes invested Rs 94,151 crore in the quarter ended June 2024. This comprises Rs 18,917 crore in April, Rs 34,697 crore in May and Rs 40,537 crore in June. The investment in equity-oriented mutual funds jumped five-fold to Rs 94,151 crore in the June quarter from Rs 18,358 crore in the quarter ended June 2023 and increased 32 per cent Rs 71,280 crore witnessed in the preceding March 2024 quarter. "The confluence of political stability, supportive government policies, and a favourable economic environment has significantly contributed to the impressive inflows into equity mutual funds, signalling a positive outlook for the sector," Trivesh said. Strong macroeconomic fundamentals, bolstered by supportive government fiscal policies like higher-than-budgeted tax collection growth, reduced revenue expenditures, and increased capital spending have helped in increasing the allocation to equity mutual funds, Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO, Anand Rathi Wealth, told PTI. He further said that investors' confidence in the markets and historically strong returns given by Indian equities with relatively low risk also helped investors to move towards equity mutual funds. Additionally, the shift was further fuelled by a transition from traditional investments like deposits to mutual funds in pursuit of higher returns. "The long-term outlook remains positive, with expectations of 11-13 per cent annual returns for Indian equities, and equity mutual funds potentially delivering even higher returns," Azeez said. Within the equity segment, sectoral or thematic category attracted Rs 46,731 crore during the quarter under review, followed by Multi-cap (Rs 10,077 crore), Flexicap (Rs 8,387 crore), Large &amp; Midcaps (Rs 7,948 crore), Smallcap (Rs 7,197 crore) and Midcap (Rs 6,927 crore). Large-cap funds witnessed an infusion of Rs 1,991 crore during the April-June quarter of the current financial year (FY25). Moreover, inflows into the systematic investment plan (<keyword id="19956399" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SIP" source="keywords">SIP</keyword>) have been rising continuously for the past several months. The monthly SIP contributions crossed the Rs 21,000 crore mark in June, with the total inflow reaching an all-time high of Rs 21,262 crore. This shows investors' commitment to disciplined and long-term investing. The fund infusion through the SIP route was Rs 62,537 crore in the April-June quarter of FY25, a remarkable surge from Rs 43,211 crore in the same quarter preceding the fiscal.

Investment in equity mutual funds surge 5-fold to Rs 94,151 cr in June qtr amid robust eco environment

<ul><li><keyword id="122724" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-securities" source="Orion">Government securities</keyword> are considered among the safest investment options due to the sovereign guarantee attached to them. </li><li>Most brokers allow trading of existing <keyword id="6371629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="g-secs" source="Orion">G-secs</keyword> on the secondary market through their platforms.</li><li>Investing in G-sec-focused mutual funds allows a diversified portfolio within Government securities and low-ticket investments. </li></ul>Government securities, commonly known as G-secs, are <keyword id="166233" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="debt-instruments" source="Orion">debt instruments</keyword> issued by the Government of India to raise capital. These securities serve as a way for the government to borrow money from the public or institutions. G-secs come with fixed <keyword id="6371181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rates" source="Orion">interest rates</keyword> and predetermined maturity dates. They are considered among the safest investment options due to the sovereign guarantee attached to them, ensuring repayment of the principal amount and interest upon maturity. The credit risk on G-secs is thus minimal. Government bonds also boast high liquidity and can be traded easily in the secondary market. This flexibility provides an opportunity to earn improved returns on the bonds and allows for exiting at any desired time before the maturity date as well. How G-secs work Investing in g-secs involves purchasing these bonds at face value, and the interest, also known as the coupon, is paid periodically, typically semi-annually or annually, until the maturity date. The interest rates on g-secs are influenced by various factors, including market demand, inflation, and the monetary policy of the Reserve Bank of India (<keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="Orion">RBI</keyword>). Consequently, the prices of G-secs fluctuate inversely with the prevailing interest rates in the market. When interest rates rise, the value of existing G-secs falls, and vice versa. These securities are traded in the primary and secondary markets. In the primary market, they are directly issued by the government through auctions, while in the secondary market, they are bought and sold among investors. How to invest G-secs are available in various tenures, ranging from short-term (Treasury bills) to long-term (Government bonds). The Retail Direct Scheme by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rolled out in 2021 enables individual investors to directly invest in government securities without requiring intermediaries such as brokers or mutual funds. The NSE goBID platform allows retail investors to participate in auctions for new G-sec issuances through your broker. It offers a non-competitive bidding process, meaning you specify your desired amount, and if your bid is accepted, you'll get allotted securities at the cut-off price. Most brokers allow trading of existing G-secs on the secondary market through their platforms. This offers flexibility to choose specific securities and exit positions when needed. Steps to invest `Here are the steps to invest in G-secs. <ol><li>Log in to your brokerage account </li><li>Navigate to the bids section: Locate and click on the "Bids" tab or section within the platform.</li><li>Select government securities: Once in the Bids section, find and select the option for "Govt. securities."</li><li>Initiate the bid: Look for the option to "Place bid" and click on it.</li><li>Enter bid Amount: Input the specific amount you wish to bid for the government securities.</li><li>Finalise the bid: After entering the amount, confirm the bid by clicking on the "Place bid" button.</li></ol>Investing in G-secs through the mutual fund route One can also take the mutual funds route to invest in G-secs. “Investing in G-sec focused mutual funds allows a diversified portfolio within Government securities and low ticket investments,” says Marzban Irani, chief investment officer, fixed income, LIC Mutual Fund. This can be suitable for passive investors or those seeking exposure without actively managing individual bonds. “It is always easy for investors to buy subscription or redemption requests in a mutual fund, compared to looking out to buy or sell securities in the fixed income market. Also, one may buy and hold but in between prices can fluctuate. Many people may not understand the drivers of those price fluctuations,” says Pankaj Pathak, fund manager, fixed income, Quantum AMC. Interest rate risks G-secs do carry one particular risk, that of interest rate fluctuations in the broader market. When rates rise, existing G-Secs with lower rates lose value compared to newer securities offering higher rates. Conversely, falling rates increase demand for older G-Secs, potentially raising their value. Longer-term G-Secs are more prone to rate change risks than short-term ones. Investors holding G-Secs until maturity aren't affected by price fluctuations but can lose potential earnings if rates rise after purchase. “A sudden increase in interest rate can impact return. So one is advised to invest into G Secs only for long-term goals,” says Abhishek Kumar, founder and chief<a href="https://business.outlookindia.com/invest/investment"> </a>investment advisor at SahajMoney, a financial planning firm. Is this a good time to invest? Government securities (G-Secs) typically attract conservative investors seeking a steady income from their investments. Moreover, investors often include G-Secs in their portfolio's debt allocation, which comprises diverse assets like equities, fixed-income instruments, and safe havens such as gold. At present, we are at the peak of the interest rate hike cycle. Developed economies like the US are expecting rate cuts going ahead in 2024. On the domestic front, the core inflation seems to be under control. “The interest rates are holding steady and might even start going down from the second half of next year,” says Kumar. So, going forward, retail investors can expect to improve their returns on G Sec investments. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

A case for investing in Government securities

If you have a <keyword id="19930665" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="PPF" source="keywords">PPF</keyword> account, you might want to pay attention to this! Starting October 1st, 2024, your PPF account is set to undergo massive changes, thanks to the new regulations, which were notified by the government in August this year, taking effect. If you don't know about them, here's a ready reckoner for you to get up to speed. 1. If you have opened a PPF account in your child's name i.e. a minor (who's under 18 years of age), their account would earn interest equivalent to a POSA (<keyword id="20076819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="post-office-savings-account" source="keywords">Post Office Savings Account</keyword>), which currently stands at 4% p.a. Once your child turns 18 and attains majority, the standard PPF <keyword id="20071327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rate" source="keywords">interest rate</keyword>, which is presently at 7.1%, will kick in. Remember that in a post office savings account, no interest is credited for a particular month, if the balance in this account falls below Rs 500, between the tenth and last day of the month. The maturity period for all such accounts will be calculated from the day the child turns 18 i.e. attains majority. Normally, the general maturity period of a PPF account is 15 years, with the possibility of extending it multiple times, but only in blocks of 5 years. 2. Have multiple PPF accounts? Well, you will not be earning any interest on any of your other PPF accounts, except for your primary one. As it is, PPF rules mandate that an individual can only have 1 PPF account. Inadvertently, many people end up opening 2 PPF accounts, sometimes with different banks, or one with a bank and post office each. Also, note that if you have opened a second PPF account on or after December 12, 2019, you are not eligible for merger of both your PPF accounts. In this case, your second account would be closed, without bearing you any interest. But if you have opened a second PPF account before this date, you can request for merger. However, in case you have not requested for such a merger, only your primary PPF account will continue earning interest at the rate of 7.1% p.a. While you will be able to transfer and send funds across from your second account, interest will only accrue on your primary PPF account, so better regularize your PPF account in the next 4 days with the post office or agency bank, lest you lose out on interest income. In case the balance in your primary PPF account is below the maximum annual investment limit of Rs 1,50,000, any balances you have in your second account will be added to the same, in order to calculate interest. And thereafter, any remaining balances in your second PPF account will be rendered ineligible for further interest. Lets understand this with an example. Suppose you hold 2 PPF accounts-A and B. The balance in account A is Rs 1,00,000, and that of B is Rs 70,000. In this case, you will only earn interest on Rs 50,000 from account B, while the remaining Rs 20,000 will not be considered while calculating interest. If the primary account stays below the applicable investment limit each year, the balance in the second account will be added to it. The primary account will continue to earn the prevailing scheme rate of interest after the merger. The second account's i.e. B excess balance will be returned without interest. 3. If you are an NRI who currently holds an active PPF account, where your residency status in Form H, which is needed to extend the tenure of your PPF account by 5 years was not asked for, your account will continue to earn interest at the same rate as a POSA (4%). Starting October 1st, such accounts will accrue no interest at all. Notably, while NRIs cannot open new PPF accounts, they can continue investing in their existing PPF account, which they had opened whilst they were still Indian resident. But once their account matures i.e. 15 years are over, they will not be able to extend their account's tenure.

Attention! Here's what's changing with your PPF accounts starting 1st October, 2024

The <keyword id="20163832" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="society-of-indian-automobile" source="keywords">Society of Indian Automobile</keyword> Manufacturers (<keyword id="108827" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="siam" source="Orion">SIAM</keyword>) and big auto players have hailed the Cabinet decision of PM e-DRIVE schemes aimed at promoting electric mobility across the country. The Rs 10,900 crore scheme will support 2,479,000 electric 2-wheelers, 316,000 electric 3-wheelers and 14,028 electric buses, along with 88,500 <keyword id="186291" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ev" source="Orion">EV</keyword> charging sites. Shailesh Chandra, President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd &amp; Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, expressed strong support for the government's forward-thinking initiative. Chandra said, "This forward-thinking initiative reflects the Government's unwavering support for <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s transition to electric mobility, fostering innovation and investment within the sector. We believe this scheme will not only enhance the growth of the EV ecosystem but also strengthen India's leadership in the global movement towards environmental sustainability." Dr Anish Shah, Group CEO &amp; MD, Mahindra Group also commended government's efforts, specifically highlighting the comprehensive nature of the PM e-DRIVE scheme. Shah said, "We applause the government for launching the PM e-drive scheme. With continued focused support on 2Ws, 3Ws, e-buses and thoughtful addition of e-ambulances, the scheme will drive higher EV penetration in the country." M&amp;M noted that schemes like <keyword id="21028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fame" source="Orion">FAME</keyword> and <keyword id="48070" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emps" source="Orion">EMPS</keyword> have already driven penetration of electric three-wheelers in India. "Investments laid out for fast charging infrastructure for all segments will help in increasing consumer confidence for faster adoption of EVs. FAME and EMPS have helped in 20 per cent e-3W penetration in the country. With PM e-drive, we foresee India becoming the first country to achieve 100 per cent electrification in this segment by 2030", he added. The Union Cabinet, on Wednesday, cleared the 'PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM e-DRIVE) Scheme,' with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years. It includes Rs 3,679 crore in subsidies and demand incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging electric vehicles. It is expected to support the deployment of 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses, providing a significant push to India's EV ecosystem. A critical aspect of the scheme is the introduction of e-vouchers for EV buyers. At the time of purchase, an Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher will be generated, which will enable buyers to avail of demand incentives. Additionally, the scheme allocates Rs 500 crore for the deployment of e-ambulances, marking a new initiative to integrate electric vehicles into essential public services. Another Rs 4,391 crore has been earmarked for the procurement of 14,028 e-buses, with a demand aggregation process led by CESL in nine major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Intercity and interstate e-buses will also be supported in consultation with states. Furthermore, Rs 500 crore has been set aside to incentivize the adoption of e-trucks, a critical move given that trucks are one of the largest contributors to air pollution. The scheme encourages those with a scrapping certificate from <keyword id="19897457" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-road-transport" source="keywords">Ministry of Road Transport</keyword> and Highways-approved (MoRTH) vehicle scrapping centres to participate in this transition. With an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore, the scheme will support the installation of 22,100 fast chargers for four-wheelers, 1,800 fast chargers for e-buses, and 48,400 fast chargers for two- and three-wheelers. These chargers will be installed in cities with high EV penetration and along selected highways, making long-distance EV travel more viable.

Automobile industry hails PM e-DRIVE scheme to promote EVs

Market watchdog SEBI has come out with a consultation paper in a bid to ease the functioning of <keyword id="22476006" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ESG-Rating-Providers" source="keywords">ESG Rating Providers</keyword> (ERPs), pushing for the development of a <keyword id="23760035" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="subscriber-pays-model" source="keywords">subscriber-pays model</keyword>. As of July 2024, nine ERPs are registered with SEBI to operate in the country. These include <keyword id="23760037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CRISIL-ESG-Ratings" source="keywords">CRISIL ESG Ratings</keyword> &amp; Analytics, ESG Risk Assessments and Ratings, GlobeTrend Climate Impact Institutional Investor Advisory Services, <keyword id="23760038" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSE-Sustainability-Ratings" source="keywords">NSE Sustainability Ratings</keyword> and Analytics, PGS Impact, Pragati Development Consulting, CARE ESG Ratings, and SES ESG Research. Per the paper's proposal, ERPs won't be required to disclose ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings to the bourses, provided they confirm that there is no non-public information that could potentially affect the rating. Another proposal was the simultaneous sharing of the ESG rating reports both to the rated companies and to the subscribers who pay to access these reports. ERPs should ensure that rated entities, their group companies, or associates cannot subscribe to their own ESG ratings, SEBI said in its consultation paper. Some of the other suggestions put forth by SEBI include: 1. Companies will have a specific timeframe to respond to the ESG report, and any such comments should be included in the report as an addendum. 2. In case the ERP does not agree with the remarks issued by the rated company, they can add their comments to the report as well. 3. ERPs can rate unlisted issuers or other products, provided they meet specific guidelines from relevant regulators. SEBI is receiving public comment on these proposals until November 15, 2024. <h2>Steady returns </h2>Of the 11 ESG mutual fund schemes available to Indian mutual fund investors, the Quant ESG Equity fund has generated the highest returns of about 45.44% over one year, data from ValueResearch showed. Simply put, had you invested Rs 10,000 every month in this fund for three years, you would have accumulated a corpus of Rs 5,47,525. Over three years, the returns on this fund come to around 26%. This was followed by the ICICI Pru ESG Exclusionary Strategy fund, which yielded 44.73% returns over the same period. However, over ultra-short terms, i.e., 1-3 months, ESG funds have largely delivered negative returns, underscoring their suitability only as a long-term investment avenue. Only the SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy Direct Fund and Quantum ESG Best In Class Strategy Direct Fund have been around for 5 years, during which they have generated returns of about 16.67% and 18.7%, respectively. <keyword id="23760036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ESG-mutual-funds" source="keywords">ESG mutual funds</keyword> typically select and invest in companies that are ESG-compliant, i.e., who weave in environmental conversation, social welfare, and robust <keyword id="20392393" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="corporate-governance" source="keywords">corporate governance</keyword> practices into their working philosophy and work ethos, while simultaneously generating decent financial returns for stakeholders as well.

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