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As the global urgency to combat <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> intensifies, all eyes are on India's <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword>, as there’s no better way to walk the talk than allocating funds. Speculation is rife about the potential measures the government may introduce to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future — a move that is supremely necessary after the slew of deadly climate catastrophes that we saw last year. India’s Union Budget 2024 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a couple of days, and is expected to reflect the nation’s commitment to achieving <keyword id="21280854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-zero-carbon-emissions" source="keywords">net-zero carbon emissions</keyword> by 2070. Here are some of the key initiatives from the interim budget that was presented in February earlier this year, along with their anticipated impacts! <h2>Rooftop Solarisation</h2>One of the most talked-about initiatives is the ambitious rooftop solar programme, which aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month to one crore households. If implemented, this move will help in not only cutting down energy bills — a godsend for the middle- and lower-income folks — but will also give households a chance to generate and even sell their surplus power. <h2>Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem</h2>Charging up the electric vehicle movement, the interim budget included measures to expand EV manufacturing and infrastructure in the country. The move aimed to accelerate the adoption of <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword>, reducing emissions from the transport sector and making your commute cleaner and greener. Additionally, the government seemed keen on encouraging the adoption of electric buses to make urban travel more eco-friendly. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111855546" title="Budget 2024: How will budget affect India’s position in the global space race?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2><keyword id="20495045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="offshore-wind-energy" source="keywords">Offshore Wind Energy</keyword></h2>Riding the winds of change, the interim budget introduced a viability gap funding for 1 GW of offshore wind energy. As per the Finance Ministry, this initiative aims to harness the power of India’s vast coastline, pushing the envelope on <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> and reducing our fossil fuel dependency. <h2><keyword id="22499996" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-green-hydrogen" source="keywords">National Green Hydrogen</keyword> Mission</h2>The interim budget also supercharged the National Green Hydrogen Mission with a massive boost to Rs 600 crore from last year’s Rs 297 crore. The government has continually insisted that Green Hydrogen is set to become the fuel of the future, and this announcement supports its development and adoption, paving the way for cleaner industrial processes. <h2>Coal Gasification and Liquefaction</h2>Switching up the coal game, the interim budget plans to set up coal gasification and liquefaction projects that will be able to process 100 metric tonnes by 2030. These projects aim to make the most out of coal in a cleaner way, especially by reducing our reliance on imported natural gas and slashing emissions. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111827903" title="Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Bioenergy and Biomass Aggregation</h2>Turning waste into wealth, the interim budget has also promised additional financial assistance for biomass aggregation. This, they explain, will help in creating a sustainable model for managing agricultural waste, promoting bioenergy production and giving farmers a new revenue stream. <h2>Research and Development (R&amp;D)</h2>In a nod to innovation, the interim budget allocated a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore for interest-free financing in “sunrise” R&amp;D for emerging <keyword id="19931192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-technologies" source="keywords">green technologies</keyword>. If the government follows through on this promise, the funding could catapult a wave of innovation, supporting the transition to a sustainable energy future. By focusing on renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting green technologies, India’s initial budget allocations seem to be taking significant strides towards its net-zero goal. Whether this will ultimately pan out to become a greener and more resilient future for its citizens remains to be seen.

Budget 2024: Key sustainability and energy initiatives that Indian government plans to implement this year

Overseas investments into India's sovereign bonds (or <keyword id="21202837" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="G-Secs" source="keywords">G-Secs</keyword>) were firm last week with an inflow of USD 403 million, soon after the government bonds were officially added to the <keyword id="20944101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JPMorgan-Chase-Co" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co">JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co</keyword>'s benchmark emerging-market index -- Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM). In a significant development that could pull in foreign funds into India's debt market, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co added <keyword id="21354159" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-government-bonds" source="keywords">Indian government bonds</keyword> to its benchmark emerging-market index starting June 28. Inflows into the so-called fully accessible route (FAR) bonds by <keyword id="20015748" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-portfolio-investors" source="keywords">foreign portfolio investors</keyword> have been to the tune of almost USD 11 billion since the inclusion announcement was made in September 2023, said global investment bank company <keyword id="19977638" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Morgan-Stanley" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Morgan Stanley" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Morgan Stanley">Morgan Stanley</keyword> in a report on Monday. Net inflows of money into India's debt markets have been positive in all but one month in 2024, data showed. "The <keyword id="20066775" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bond-market" source="keywords">bond market</keyword> saw foreign inflows in six out of the seven months so far in 2024, while equity flows are more mixed. Cumulative inflows to the bond market in 2024 are the strongest in recent years," the Morgan Stanley report titled 'India Fixed Income Strategy', said. One week after India's sovereign debt market secured a 1 per cent weight in JPMorgan's GBI-EM index, inflows into <keyword id="21603445" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FAR-bonds" source="keywords">FAR bonds</keyword> stayed consistent. Officially, 29 FAR government bonds were included in the suite of global bond indices for emerging markets. This inclusion, according to Morgan Stanley, holds significant implications for foreign interest and participation in the Indian bond markets. Foreign investors continue to increase their purchase of G-Secs in 2024. FPIs added almost USD 7.1 billion in FAR bonds in 2024. As a result, <keyword id="20470056" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-ownership" source="keywords">foreign ownership</keyword> of G-Secs has increased to 2.6 per cent. On G-Secs demand, Morgan Stanley notes that local banks hold 40 per cent of G-Secs. Insurance companies and the RBI hold 28 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively. "We expect the G-Secs supply pipeline to remain robust, supported by the government's aim to strategically consolidate debt through calendar-driven, auction-based switch operations and the re-issuance of securities to smooth the redemption profile and enhance liquidity in the G-Sec market," Morgan Stanley added. The inclusion of the index followed the Indian government's substantive market reforms for aiding foreign portfolio investments, the American multinational investment bank JP Morgan had said last year during the announcement. The inclusion of Indian government bonds in the JPMorgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets index could be seen as yet another sign of its growing appeal to global investors as it continues to remain one of the fastest-growing major economies. This development holds significance particularly as various global manufacturing behemoths are looking at India for investments, as part of their diversification strategy in a post-pandemic world order. JP Morgan had said India is expected to have a maximum 10 per cent weightage in its Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets. "Inclusion of the IGBs will be staggered over a 10-month period starting June 28, 2024, through March 31, 2025 (i.e., inclusion of 1 per cent weight per month)," JP Morgan had added then. Foreign investors are already making a beeline to place their bets in India's equity markets. Foreign portfolio investors have been net buyers in Indian stock markets, on and off.

Global investments in Indian government bonds firm, attributable to JPMorgan index inclusion

In a bid to support meritorious and deserving Indian students to pursue their higher education without having to worry about funds, the government today announced the <keyword id="23831216" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="PM-Vidyalaxmi-scheme" source="keywords">PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme</keyword>. Here's all you need to know about it: The scheme will cover students who secure admission to one of the top 860 higher educational institutions in the country. In effect, this is set to benefit over 22 lakh students annually. You can apply for this loan via a soon-to-be launched consolidated PM-Vidyalaxmi portal. The loan application will be entirely digital and will not require collateral or assets to be pledged in place of a loan or even a guarantor. For loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh, the government will provide a 75% credit guarantee. If your family's annual income is up to Rs 8 lakh, you are eligible for receiving loans up to Rs 10 lakh at an interest rate of up to 3% lower rates. This support will be offered to around 1 lakh students every year, and those who opt for technical or professional courses from government-run institutions will be given preference for the same. The government has already set aside Rs 3,600 crore for the same, to be utilized between 2024 and 2031, benefiting 7 lakh students in this period. All eligible students whose family's annual income falls below the Rs 4.5 lakh threshold will receive a full subsidy on interest payable. As for which higher education institutions (HEIs) will qualify, it will depend on recent NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings. This will include: <ul><li>All centrally governed institutions</li><li>Public and private institutions that have made it to NIRF's top 100 rankings in the overall, category, and domain-specific categories</li><li>All state government HEIs that are ranked between 101 and 200 in <keyword id="22759868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NIRF-rankings" source="keywords">NIRF rankings</keyword> will also be eligible.</li></ul> <h2>Rising cost of education</h2> Data from NSSO (National Sample Survey Office) highlights that the average expenditure on education in India has doubled in the last decade. Per the All India Survey on Higher Education 2020-21, the tuition fees for engineering courses in most private institutions have already risen by 50% over the past 10 years. Education inflation currently stands high, at about 11–12%. The demand for educational loans is also inching up steadily. Per RBI data, as of September 20, 2024, the total quantum of outstanding education loans stood at Rs 62,389 crore, up 2.8% from Rs 60,715 crore in September 2023. India's largest lender, the State Bank of India, leads the education loan bandwagon, with disbursals worth Rs 10,860 crore in FY24.

Lack of funds stopping you from pursuing higher education? The government can come to rescue

Foreign investors have withdrawn nearly Rs 20,000 crore from Indian stock markets in just five trading days (November 4–8), continuing a trend of large-scale selling that began last month. Experts say investors are now moving their money to China, largely due to the high valuations presently prevailing in Indian markets. In early November, FPIs have offloaded as much as Rs 19,994 crore in Indian markets. The month prior, i.e., October, was one of the worst months in terms of foreign outflows, with FPIs making a net withdrawal of Rs 94,017 crore. Before this, Indian markets faced such a situation during the pandemic, when FPIs withdrew Rs 61,973 crore from equities in March 2020. <h2>Why Are Investors Leaving? </h2>According to Himanshu Srivastava of Morningstar Investment Research India, two main factors are driving this exodus. First is China's renewed appeal due to lower stock valuations and new economic stimulus measures. In a bid to nudge the domestic economy and bail state governments, China recently approved a 10-trillion yuan (US $1.4 trillion) package. Per reports, approximately 60% of this stimulus focuses on allowing local governments to refinance the mountain of debt on them. Srivastava explains foreign investors are also flocking to US dollar and Treasury yields, which have appreciated significantly in the recent past, leading FPIs to anticipate a stronger US economy going ahead. Moreover, high valuations in Indian markets are discouraging foreign investors from putting more money in the economy. As a result, over the past week, the selling pressure eroded Rs 74,563 crore in market value for Reliance Industries, while Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank lost Rs 26,274 crore and Rs 22,254 crore, respectively. The combined market valuation of six of the top 10 most-valued firms dipped by Rs 1,55,721.12 crore last week. <h2> Silver linings</h2>Despite the ongoing outflux of funds since last month, November also saw unprecedented applications of about 40–50 new FPI registrations, which are eyeing to enter the Indian market. This was due to markets SEBIs recent relaxation to NRIs, permitting them to participate up to 100% and announcing measures for ease of entry and operations in India. On the other hand, FPIs invested Rs 599 crore in the debt general limit and Rs 2,896 crore in the debt voluntary retention route (VRR) during the period under review. So far this year, FPIs have invested Rs 1.06 lakh crore in the debt market. <li class="whitespace-normal break-words"></li>Going ahead, investors will be looking for certain macroeconomic cues, which include corporate earnings reports, India's inflation (CPI) and industrial production (IIP) data on November 12, the US inflation report on November 13, and wholesale price index (WPI) data on November 14.

FPIs withdraw nearly Rs 20,000 crore from equities in the last 5 trading sessions, make a beeline for China and US

<keyword id="21354159" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-government-bonds" source="keywords">Indian Government Bonds</keyword> are set to be included in the JP Morgan Government Bond Index, <keyword id="20036608" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Emerging-Market" source="keywords">Emerging Market</keyword> (GBI-EM) from June 28. The inclusion will take place over a period of 10 months starting June 28, 2024, through to March 31, 2025. India will have a 1% weightage in the <keyword id="19967624" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JPMorgan" source="keywords">JPMorgan</keyword> Emerging Market (EM) Bond index, which will gradually rise to 10% over a 10-month period, at an inclusion rate of about 1% weight per month. The inclusion is estimated to bring $20-25 billion of inflows into the Indian bond market. However, India's index-eligible bonds have already attracted $10 billion since the inclusion was announced in September last year. On September 21, 2023, Global index provider JPMorgan announced that it would include Indian government's bonds in its emerging market indices. Only Indian government bonds issued by the Reserve Bank of India (<keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>) under the <keyword id="12313402" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fully-Accessible-Route" source="Orion">Fully Accessible Route</keyword> (FAR) will be included in the indices. All FAR-designated IGBs maturing after December 31, 2026, will be eligible to be included in the JPMorgan Emerging Market (EM) Bond index. In the post-monetary policy press conference on June 7, RBI Governor <keyword id="6359111" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shaktikanta-Das" source="Orion">Shaktikanta Das</keyword> said the central bank is not worried about the big <keyword id="20072947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-fund-inflows" source="keywords">foreign fund inflows</keyword> from global bond inclusion. "The RBI has a number of instrumentalities to manage the flows. We have managed it in the past and we will manage it in future also. No worries on that," Das said. Experts believe the index inclusion-related heavy flows is likely to boost demand for Indian government securities in the current fiscal, once short-term liquidity issues in certain papers get sorted. Vishal Gupta, Co-founder of IndiaBonds.com says the inclusion of Indian government bonds in JP Morgan Index is a watershed moment for the <keyword id="22201110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fixed-income-markets" source="keywords">fixed-income markets</keyword> in India. "This compulsorily puts Indian bond markets on the radar of global bond investors and although initial investments are supposed to be to the tune of $25-30 billion, index inclusion paves the way for this number to keep growing in the next few years," said Vishal Gupta. Gupta further added that it is important to grow the investor base for any market, and index inclusion helps in expanding the number of players, which further benefits everyone in the form of additional market liquidity. "Global investors have been looking to allocate capital to emerging markets given their reluctance to invest in other large countries like Russia or China in the past couple of years. Hence, the timing of this index inclusion is also almost perfect. I reckon investments will start via government bonds initially, but filter into AAA to lower credit ratings as well in the years to come", he continued.

Indian government bonds to be included JP Morgan Govt bond Index from June 28

<ul><li><keyword id="19897349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ola-electric" source="keywords">Ola Electric</keyword> has come under the scanner after a surge in customer complaints.</li><li>The company’s sales and market share have also been declining.</li><li>The government has reportedly issued a show cause notice to <keyword id="19945904" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ola" source="keywords">Ola</keyword> Electric.</li></ul>Ola Electric was once considered the most promising electric automaker in the country, from dominating the electric two-wheeler with its electric scooters to introducing multiple electric bikes simultaneously. The company had many things going for it, hosting a vast distribution network via its cab-hailing platform and a conducive policy environment that incentivised the growth of EVs. But within a few years of its launch, somewhere something seems to have gone awfully wrong! The Bhavish Aggarwal-led company has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons, from the company’s founder engaging in an online spat with comedian Kunal Kamra to customers taking to social media to complain about their scooters. But that’s not where the company’s problems end. One of the seemingly direct effects of the rise in customer complaints has been subdued sales in recent months. Besides this, the company has also come under the government’s scanner. <h2>Surge in complaints</h2>According to a recent report, Ola Electric recently formed a new service team to deal with the surge in customer complaints. As per the report, the electric two-wheeler maker is receiving as many as 80,000 customer complaints per month, overwhelming its service infrastructure. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113699039" title="Ola Electric plans to expand sales and service infra to 10,000 outlets by 2025-end" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The high number of complaints reportedly resulted in high wait times for customers, resulting in growing customer dissatisfaction, which is regularly played out on social media. <h2>Declining market share</h2>It’s not just social media, the company’s market share has also been on the decline along with its sales. From nearly a 50% market share in April 2024, the company’s market share declined to 27% in September 2024. While the company still leads the Indian electric two-wheeler market, legacy automakers like Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor are closing in. While Bajaj Auto reported a 21.5% market share in September 2024, TVS Motor reported a 20.3% market share. From occupying nearly half of the market, Ola Electric has now been restricted to a quarter and by the looks of it, the company may not even be able to hold the top position by the end of the year if the current trend continues. <h2>Ola Electric comes under the government’s scrutiny</h2>Amid rising complaints, Ola Electric has also come under the government’s scanner. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), India’s consumer watchdog issues a show-cause notice to Ola Electric over potential violations of the Consumer Protection Act (2019). According to a report, The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) run by the Department of Consumer Affairs has received 10,644 complaints against Ola Electric since September 2023. When the NCH approached Ola Electric, the body was reportedly met with apathy by the company. Out of the 10,644 complaints, 3,389 relate to delays in providing service to the vehicles, 1,899 are around delivery delays for new vehicles and 1,459 customers have complained about services that were promised but not provided. According to a report by CNBCTV-18, CCPA chairman Nidhi Khare has said the complaints against Ola Electric have been classified in 10 categories, including “delayed and unsatisfactory service”, “refusal or delay in warranty services”, “recurrent defects despite services”, “unprofessional conduct and complaint closure” and more. <h2>A customer’s harrowing experience</h2>Business Insider India spoke to Mr Rakesh (name changed), an Ola Electric customer who has been facing issues with his Ola S1 Pro. The customer paid for the vehicle in August 2023 and the scooter was delivered in January 2024, after a five-month wait. The first issue that the customer faced was that despite the scooter only being delivered in January 2024, the scooter’s warranty began in August 2023, depriving the customer of five months of warranty. Not just this, the vehicle’s insurance began in November 2023, two months prior to the delivery. While this is a concerning issue, this was the least of the customer’s problems. <div type="image" title="1" msid="114120836" hostid="261" sizebytes="68242" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Ola S1 Pro being towed&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> As per the customer, his scooter repeatedly faced issues, not even turning on at times. Rakesh said that he was forced to restart his vehicle four to five times a day just to be able to use it and if this didn’t work, he was forced to remove and re-insert a plug placed under the seat. However, even this failed several times and in less than eight months of usage, Rakesh was forced to get his vehicle towed to the service centre multiple times with the help of roadside assistance (RSA). He claimed that he faced the issue nearly 30 times so far. He further said that the scooter has spent the majority of its time at the service centre, which is extremely disappointing after spending over ₹1.6 lakh on a vehicle. <div type="image" title="2" msid="114120876" hostid="261" sizebytes="65944" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The Ola S1 Pro being towed again&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> At the service centre, the service executives were unable to find the exact cause of the issue. To try and solve the issue, the scooter’s control unit was reportedly changed twice and there were multiple software updates. Rakesh has had a disappointing experience so far, especially with the service executives being unable to diagnose the issue and him having to repeatedly visit the service centre. <h2>A wake-up call?</h2>Many users on the internet have labelled Ola vehicles as subpar and not fit for this competitive market that’s growing rapidly. The initial marketing was good, helping the company conquer almost half of the market share. But a bad quality product can dent the reputation of a company severely in the long run. This must serve as a wake-up call for <keyword id="1543567" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bhavish-Aggarwal" source="Orion">Bhavish Aggarwal</keyword> and everyone at Ola Electric and the consumers hope that the company not only works on improving its quality control but also overhauls its service infrastructure to more efficiently diagnose and solve issues with their vehicles. During an interaction early in the company’s journey, Aggarwal once said that he hopes to sell around 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh scooters a month, which is close to what one of the popular petrol scooters manages to do each month. While this dream looked achievable at one time, the journey now seems quite tedious. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/september-auto-sales-automakers-report-a-decline-mahindra-and-mahindra-overtakes-tata-motors/articleshow/113925972.cms">September Auto sales – Automakers report a decline, Mahindra and Mahindra overtakes Tata Motors</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ola-electric-continues-to-lose-market-share-as-bajaj-auto-and-tvs-motor-gain/articleshow/113900252.cms">Ola Electric continues to lose market share as Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor gain</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/pm-e-drive-scheme-with-10900-crore-outlay-announced-for-electric-vehicles/articleshow/113816837.cms">PM E-DRIVE scheme with ₹10,900 crore outlay announced for electric vehicles</a>

The Ola Electric Saga: Are surge in complaints and declining market share a wake-up call for Bhavish Aggarwal?

<keyword id="19991358" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-markets" source="keywords">Indian markets</keyword> are navigating choppy waters as global economic shifts, from rate cuts to evolving political climates, create new pressure points across the financial landscape, according to a recent report by ANI attributed originally to the Union Bank of India. The domestic stock and bond markets showed signs of strain, with <keyword id="19910363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bond-yields" source="keywords">bond yields</keyword> witnessing slight adjustments. India’s 10-year government bond yield dipped to 6.82%, a decrease from the previous session, reflecting cautious investor sentiment as the markets react to shifting global indicators. Meanwhile, the 5-year bond yield remained steady at 6.76%, a signal of lingering hesitation amid economic unpredictability. In the currency market, the rupee faced a notable decline, ending the day at ₹84.3725 against the US dollar, slipping from its prior close of ₹84.2800. Market analysts point to significant capital outflows as a key factor, with investors moving funds to perceived safer assets overseas. This migration has weighed heavily on the rupee, underlining the currency’s vulnerability in an environment of global economic flux. India’s stock market bore the brunt of this volatility, with key indices falling over 1%, effectively erasing the gains of a previous rally. This abrupt drop reportedly reflects renewed investor anxiety, largely triggered by the recent <keyword id="20189882" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-presidential-election" source="keywords">US presidential election</keyword> results. Experts suggest that the election has introduced a fresh layer of uncertainty, not only for the US economy but for global markets, impacting everything from policy decisions to investor sentiment. Analysts are also keeping a close eye on upcoming decisions by central banks, which will likely shape the path forward for the Indian equities market. Commodities showed contrasting trends, with Brent crude prices falling on lower demand expectations, as economic indicators point toward cautious spending globally. Gold, on the other hand, experienced a modest rise as investors sought refuge in safe-haven assets, highlighting a shift towards risk aversion among market participants. Globally, major central banks made coordinated efforts to sustain economic growth, with the Bank of England (BoE) announcing a 25 basis-point cut, lowering its benchmark rate to 4.75%. The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) largely backed this move to counter inflation, which has been declining, albeit gradually. Across the Atlantic, the US Federal Reserve mirrored this action with its own 25 basis-point cut, a sign of confidence in the ongoing economic recovery. Both rate cuts, though modest, signal a global trend towards caution as economies work to balance growth with stability. In Asia, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) maintained its supportive stance. Governor Pan Gongsheng sought to reassure foreign investors by reaffirming the PBoC’s commitment to growth-oriented policies. Pan emphasized enhanced communication and pledged to open China’s financial services sector further, aiming to attract more international participants. Europe, meanwhile, faced mixed economic signals. Germany reported a steep 2.5% drop in industrial production in September, signalling a slowdown in manufacturing, while the Eurozone saw a mild 0.5% rise in retail sales, reflecting cautious consumer optimism in the region. Adding another layer to the global economic landscape, the European Union’s Climate Change Service warned that 2024 could be the hottest year on record, underscoring urgent climate challenges just as the UN COP29 climate summit approaches. The summit, set to take place in Azerbaijan, aims to rally increased funding for climate action, though tempered expectations linger in light of recent US political shifts. On the domestic front, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam spoke about India’s potential role in pivotal global trade agreements, specifically the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). These partnerships, Subrahmanyam suggested, could bolster India’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, which currently accounts for 40% of India’s exports, offering a strategic advantage for Indian trade in an interconnected world. As the Indian markets digest these developments, experts believe continued volatility could be the theme for the coming months. (with ANI inputs)

Indian markets under pressure as global rate cuts stir uncertainty, new report says

<keyword id="21230742" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-stock-indices" source="keywords">Indian stock indices</keyword> witnessed a bloodbath on the day the Lok Sabha results are being announced, where incumbent <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bjp" source="keywords">BJP</keyword> performed below par and seems it may fall short of <keyword id="21897057" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="exit-poll-predictions" source="keywords">exit poll predictions</keyword> and the majority mark on its own. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is leading in nearly 300 seats while the INDIA alliance is leading in 229 seats, as per data from the Election Commission of India. The idea of a coalition government lead by BJP at the centre has led to widespread <keyword id="21935422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="market-anxiety" source="keywords">market anxiety</keyword> and a sharp decline in stock indices. The BJP, which has been the dominant force in Indian politics for the past decade, is seen as a pro-Industry party whose policies have generally favoured economic growth and market stability. The failure to secure a clear majority to BJP of its own raises concerns about the formation of a stable government and the continuation of economic reforms. At the closing bell, <keyword id="19896382" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sensex" source="keywords">Sensex</keyword> closed at 72,079.05 points, down 4,389.73 points or 5.74 per cent, while <keyword id="19896381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nifty" source="keywords">Nifty</keyword> closed at 21,884.50 points, down 1,379.40 points or 5.93 per cent. All Nifty sectoral indices, barring Nifty FMCG, were deep in the red today. Nifty metal, Nifty bank, Nifty financial services, Nifty PSU bank, Nifty private bank, Nifty realty, Nifty oil and gas, slumped the most, NSE data showed. "The steep fall is due to the results so far falling short of the exit polls which the market had discounted yesterday. If BJP doesn't get a majority on its own there will be disappointment and this is getting reflected in the market. Also it is possible that Modi 3.O may not be as reform-oriented as the market expected and may turn more welfare- oriented," said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. At one point during the afternoon, Indian equity indices plummeted over 8 per cent on Tuesday, as poll trends indicated a closer than anticipated fight for the incumbent <keyword id="20513173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi-led-NDA-government" source="keywords">Narendra Modi-led NDA government</keyword>. Sensex logged it worst session in over four years, it witnessed back during Covid days. "Markets rallied 3-3.5 per cent on expectation of a Modi led NDA win on Monday. PSU (especially banks) led the rally. Today polls were not in line with exit poll outcome. Markets move more than 4-5 per cent down today," said Jaykrishna Gandhi, Head - Business Development, Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services. "We expect 7-10 per cent downside for broader markets from current levels. We recommend positioning to move from alpha stocks to defensives - add FMCG, IT, Pharma vs short on ABB, Siemens, Cummins, Coal India, NTPC, PFC, REC, PNB, Canara bank," Gandhi suggested. The <keyword id="19949639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rupee" source="keywords">Rupee</keyword> closed weaker against the US dollar on Tuesday, depreciating by 38 paise to close at 83.53. It closed at 83.15 on Monday. The Rupee had been largely steady for the past year, largely due to RBI's intervention. "This uncertainty triggered a panic sell-off across various asset classes, impacting economic growth. The Dollar-Rupee exchange rate may continue to rise, potentially reaching 83.90, with 83.40 serving as the immediate support level," said Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities. Manish Chowdhury, Head of Research, StoxBox, asserted that markets have reacted sharply to the initial trends of the NDA leading on around 290 seats, way less than as projected. "With the NDA still looking to form a government, though with the important support of coalition partners, markets look jittery about the prospects of strong decision making. Markets believe that the reformistic approach, which was a hallmark of the previous two terms, might take a backseat in the third term. However, our sense is that it is still early to jump to conclusions and should ideally wait for a clearer picture," said Chowdhury. Shrikant Chouhan, Head Equity Research, Kotak Securities, noted that the current market texture is extremely volatile and uncertain; hence, it is advisable that traders should remain cautious for the next few trading sessions. On Monday, Indian benchmark indices closed at record highs, driven by fresh buying from investors after exit polls indicated a comfortable majority for the NDA government. The Nifty 50 index gained 733.20 points, closing at 23,263.90, while the BSE Sensex surged 2507.47 points to close at 76,468.78. (ANI)

Bloodbath in Indian stocks as trends show below par show by BJP-led NDA; Sensex slumps over 4,000 points

Hearing and visually-impaired cricket fans can look forward to an <keyword id="21678288" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Sign-Language" source="keywords">Indian Sign Language</keyword> (ISL) and audio descriptive feed during next month's <keyword id="19921630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="T20-World-Cup" source="keywords">T20 World Cup</keyword> in the Americas with official <keyword id="19946529" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="broadcasters" source="keywords">broadcasters</keyword> Disney+Hotstar and Star Sports Network announcing special telecast arrangements. This will be applicable for 10 matches including all the India games, semi-finals and finals. The broadcaster said that this is the first time that the T20 World Cup will be telecast with sign language and descriptive commentary making "cricket more immersive for its deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually-impaired users." Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur, welcomed the move. "The Government of India is committed to creating an inclusive society and I strongly believe that this initiative will enhance the viewing experience for millions of differently-abled sports enthusiasts," he said in a press release. With this, Disney+Hotstar also becomes the first OTT platform to make ISL available for live cricket. Sajith Sivanandan, Head, Disney+ Hotstar India, said, "This underscores our commitment to promote inclusivity and serve all users. With these enhancements, we aim to ensure that the excitement of cricket knows no bounds." Sanjog Gupta, Head of Disney Star (Sports), said the innovation has got good response in the ongoing IPL. "Our mission of serving sports fans is powered by such pioneering initiatives which seek to remove barriers of access and engagement for fans from all walks of life. The initiative also serves to present a more inclusive picture of India's favourite sport and is of immense pride for the sporting fraternity," he said. The ISL feed will provide a ball-by-ball update through the presence of a translator on the live stream. The audio descriptive feed will be complemented by voice-over technology for specific pages, which can render text and images into a speech output. Alok Kejriwal, Founder and CEO, India Signing Hands, a non-profit organisation that advocates for equal opportunities for the deaf, described it as an excellent move. "I am confident that it will open doors to the exciting world of cricket to many more people from the Deaf and <keyword id="20298356" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visually-impaired" source="keywords">Visually Impaired</keyword> communities," he said. According to the World Health Organization, there is an estimated 6.3 crore community of deaf and four crore visually impaired individuals in India. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-loses-54-lakh-in-work-from-home-scam-heres-what-it-is-and-how-to-protect-yourself/articleshow/110166963.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-loses-54-lakh-in-work-from-home-scam-heres-what-it-is-and-how-to-protect-yourself/articleshow/110166963.cms" target="_blank">Woman loses ₹54 lakh in work-from-home scam! Here's what it is and how to protect yourself</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/vivo-takes-the-top-spot-in-india-top-smartphone-brands-in-q1-2024/slidelist/110150830.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/vivo-takes-the-top-spot-in-india-top-smartphone-brands-in-q1-2024/slidelist/110150830.cms" target="_blank">Vivo takes the top spot in India: Top smartphone brands in Q1 2024</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-i/o-2024-highlights-ask-photos-ai-overviews-ai-fraud-protection-and-more-announced/articleshow/110143756.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-i/o-2024-highlights-ask-photos-ai-overviews-ai-fraud-protection-and-more-announced/articleshow/110143756.cms" target="_blank">Google I/O 2024 highlights: Ask Photos, AI Overviews, AI fraud protection and more announced</a>

T20WC broadcasters announce special feed for hearing and visually impaired fans

<keyword id="19896882" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Canada" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Canada" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Canada">Canada</keyword> is set to make notable changes to its immigration policies, aiming to manage the influx of <keyword id="20073340" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-students" source="keywords">international students</keyword> by cutting down on the number of <keyword id="20293675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="study-permits" source="keywords">study permits</keyword> issued. This move comes as part of the government’s broader strategy to control its <keyword id="23227485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="temporary-resident-population" source="keywords">temporary resident population</keyword> and maintain the integrity of its immigration system. Prime Minister <keyword id="19898713" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Justin-Trudeau" source="keywords">Justin Trudeau</keyword> recently announced that the country will reduce the number of study permits granted to foreign nationals, citing concerns over the misuse of the immigration system. The reduction is already underway, with Canada issuing 35 percent fewer study permits this year compared to previous years. Moving forward, the Canadian government plans to decrease these permits by an additional 10 percent in 2025, lowering the number of new permits issued from 4,85,000 in 2024 to 4,37,000 in the following year. Trudeau talked about the need to address those exploiting the system in a post on X (earlier called Twitter). "Immigration is an advantage for our economy - but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down," he said. While immigration continues to play a critical role in strengthening Canada's economy, Trudeau added that these measures are essential to preserving the system's integrity. Canada's Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship department echoed this sentiment in an official news release, confirming the government's commitment to managing temporary resident arrivals. The department outlined a plan to stabilise the intake of study permits at the reduced figure for 2026, ensuring that the numbers remain consistent with 2025. To address the importance of advanced degree holders, the government will set aside approximately 12 percent of available study permits for master's and doctoral candidates. These students will need to provide a letter from their respective province or territory, recognising the significant contributions they can make to the Canadian workforce. <keyword id="19946179" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="marc-miller" source="keywords">Marc Miller</keyword>, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, said that the changes are part of a larger effort to ensure a well-regulated and sustainable immigration system. “Not everyone who wishes to come to Canada will be granted entry, and not everyone currently residing here will be able to remain indefinitely. It is our duty to safeguard the integrity of our immigration policies, and we are committed to adapting them to meet today’s evolving challenges,” he said. The reduction in study permits is expected to have a considerable impact on international students, particularly from India. India has long been the leading source of foreign students in Canada, with an estimated 427,000 <keyword id="19971660" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-students" source="keywords">Indian students</keyword> currently studying in the country, according to data from the High Commission of India in Ottawa. Education is one of the key pillars of collaboration between the two nations, and the new policy could affect thousands of Indian nationals aspiring to pursue higher studies in Canada. (With ANI and PTI inputs)

Canada to cut study permits for International students by 35%, Indian students to be impacted

The United States has invested significantly in expanding its strategic partnership with <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> and is pursuing a robust agenda to deepen the bilateral cooperation, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt <keyword id="20428643" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="campbell" source="keywords">Campbell</keyword> has said. Addressing the ongoing India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit in California on Monday, Campbell said successive administrations in Washington and New Delhi have invested time and political capital to bring the partnership to greater heights. "But in the last year, I like to say, our partnership has reached 'escape velocity'," he said. "The United States has invested significantly in expanding our strategic partnership with India, and we are pursuing a robust agenda to deepen cooperation for the rest of the year - not only diplomatically, but also through iCET ( initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology)," Campbell said. The third edition of the two-day INDUS-X summit began on Monday. It is organised by the <keyword id="20263494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="us-india-strategic-and-partnership-forum" source="keywords">US India Strategic and Partnership Forum</keyword> (<keyword id="20252677" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="usispf" source="keywords">USISPF</keyword>) at Stanford University in California. "Our defence establishments, research institutions, private industry, and startups possess a deep bench of talent and mutual thirst for innovation, which is why INDUS-X was designed to create the necessary ecosystem and partnerships for new ideas, research, and development to flourish," the top American diplomat said. Asserting that the two countries are "more closely aligned than ever before" today, Campbell said the US and India have pursued an "ambitious agenda" of summits, joint challenges, and exchanges in over a year since the launch of the INDUS-X. INDUS-X, which stands for enhanced strategic and defence partnership between India and the US, was launched on June 21 last year by the <keyword id="20331010" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="us-department-of-defence" source="keywords">US Department of Defence</keyword> and the <keyword id="22082092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-ministry-of-defence" source="keywords">Indian Ministry of Defence</keyword> during Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword>'s state visit to Washington, DC. "I expect these efforts will continue, given the deep bonds that tie our countries together and the strategic challenges we both face. INDUS-X is now, and will be, a cornerstone of our continuing efforts to advance the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology - iCET," Campbell said. The iCET was launched by Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the QUAD summit in Tokyo on May 24, 2022. Observing that technological leadership is increasingly at the heart of the strategic competition, Campbell said it is the great differentiator in the US foreign policy approach. "And India is in a very small group of countries with whom we work most intimately on tech. The iCET, which places technology at the very heart of the US-India partnership, has greatly accelerated our strategic cooperation," he said. Talking about the second iCET meeting that took place between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in June, Cambell said it "showed the immense progress we are making across a range of sectors including space, semiconductors, advanced telecommunications, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, and clean energy". "Deepening defence cooperation is also a key pillar of iCET," said the top American diplomat. "Our work together driving innovation and developing cutting-edge technologies will help us maintain a critical advantage for our armed forces. We've taken unprecedented steps to increase operational coordination, information sharing, and defence industrial cooperation, including co-production," he said. "In fact, we've authorised an unprecedented level of technology transfer as part of the GE engine co-production arrangement, and our two governments have just finalised a Security of Supply Arrangement to reinforce our supply chain resilience," he said. Last year, GE Aerospace and <keyword id="19998363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hindustan-aeronautics-limited" source="keywords">Hindustan Aeronautics Limited</keyword> (HAL) inked a pact to jointly produce fighter jet engines for the <keyword id="19992067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-air-force" source="keywords">Indian Air Force</keyword>'s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk-II - Tejas. "Under INDUS-X, the US and Indian governments have also announced: awards of USD 1.2 million in seed funding to ten US and Indian companies under Joint IMPACT 1.0 Challenges; our intent to launch two additional joint challenges in other domains, including space; and the launch of a INDUSWERX Testing Consortium of industry, academia, and nonprofit organisations across the US and India to promote our companies' access to testing and experimentation facilities," Campbell said.

US invested significantly in expanding strategic partnership with India: Kurt Campbell

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.

You Searched For "indian government announcements" and got 12 results

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Bloodbath in Indian stocks as trends show below par show by BJP-led NDA; Sensex slumps over 4,000 points

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T20WC broadcasters announce special feed for hearing and visually impaired fans

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Canada to cut study permits for International students by 35%, Indian students to be impacted

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US invested significantly in expanding strategic partnership with India: Kurt Campbell

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