G-20 nations agree to some financial regulations for global economy

Busan (South Korea), June 6 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that the finance ministers of G-20 countries in their joint communiqué have agreed to the need for ”some sort of financial regulations” to control the global economy.

Mukherjee revealed it while interacting with reporters after the conclusion of the
G-20 summit of the finance ministers at Busan in South Korea on Saturday.

He informed that the question of levying taxes on the banking system was also raised during the meet.

“There is no universal acceptance of taxing the banking system. But everybody appreciated and they agreed that there should be some sort of financial regulation,” said Mukherjee.

The summit at Busan also received recommendations from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Over the issue of global economic recession, Mukherjee said: “First issue, of course, was the sharing of perceptions of the global economic development. And, there the broad consensus was that the world economy is recovering faster than it was expected. But the troubles of the euro zone may cast its shadow over the quick recovery of Europe,” Mukherjee stated.

He also said that there is a need to subsidise energy resources to a certain extent.

“The last issue, of course, was how to reduce the energy subsidies. There is a need but developing countries including India pointed out that there are some imperatives for which some amount of subsidy is needed. For, in case of India, there are nearly 250 to 300 million people who still do have access to the electricity even for their lighting purposes, they require kerosene and they are mainly poor people therefore some amount of subsidy is needed. But at the same time there is some amount of curbing of the subsidy,” said Mukherjee.

At the G-20 meet, there was a broad consensus of views and the differences were narrowed down. The recommendations will be pressed for consideration of leaders of Toronto summit and these will be further discussed vis-à-vis the framework.

The working group will recommend a second phase that will be presented before the November summit and after getting the broad acceptance of the leaders; work on the second phase will commence.

The June 4-5 meeting in the port city of Busan was held in preparation for a summit of G20 leaders in Toronto on June 26-27.

Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 wealthy and developing economies gathered in South Korea this week to discuss Europe”s debt crisis, financial reforms and efforts to rebalance the global economy. (ANI)

China to offer subsidies for buyers of hybrid cars

June 1 (Reuters) – China will start a pilot programme in 5 cities to provide subsidies of up to 50,000 yuan ($7,320) to buyers of hybrid cars, China’s Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday.

The cities included in the programme are Shanghai, Shenzhen, Changchun, Hangzhou and Hefei, according to a statement on the ministry’s website, www.mof.gov.cn.

It did not say when the programme would begin.

For purely electric-powered cars, the subsidy could be as high as 60,000 yuan, the ministry said. (Reporting by Zhou Xin and Alan Wheatley; Editing by Ken Wills)

German threatens legal challenge over Greek aid -report

BERLIN, April 14 (Reuters) – A German economist plans to launch a legal challenge at the Constitutional Court against the euro zone aid package for Greece agreed by finance ministers at the weekend, a German newspaper reported on Wednesday. Joachim Starbatty, a professor at Tuebingen University, was quoted by the Rheinische Post paper as saying the aid package breached the EU’s Maastricht Treaty.

“We will file a suit at the Constitutional Court against the credit from euro states,” Starbatty told the newspaper, which said he was working with constitutional lawyer Wilhelm Hankel and others.

Separately, Handelsblatt daily quoted an unidentified member of the German cabinet as saying the 30 billion euro aid package for Greece was only a first step and could end up being “at least double the amount”.

The Rheinische Post said Starbatty viewed the aid package as a subsidy which was forbidden as the interest rate offered was under the market rate for Greek bonds.

Starbatty, who had previously threatened to take legal action if aid for Greece was granted, was not immediately available to comment. (Writing by Madeline Chambers, editing by Mike Peacock)

EU offers Greece $40b bailout package

European Union finance ministers have given final approval to a rescue package for debt-ridden Greece, which can be activated at Athens’ request.

If it triggers the rescue mechanism, Greece will be able to draw on $40 billion from the other 15 members of the eurozone at an interest rate of 5 per cent.

The plan is designed to reassure financial markets and prevent Greece from going bankrupt, and was announced after the finance ministers discussed Greece’s plight during an emergency video conference.

The 5 per cent interest rate would be more than 2 per cent lower than the rates being demanded by the international markets.

Greece is still hopeful that it will not have to turn to the EU and the International Monetary Fund for assistance, but investors believe it will have little choice if it is to avoid bankruptcy.

Eurogroup chairman Jean-Claude Juncker insisted the mechanism did not violate the European Union treaty and did not constitute a subsidy.

Mediation mooted to resolve specialists fee impasse

The Liberal Member for Eastern Victoria, Philip Davis, wants the State Government to intervene in a dispute between the Bairnsdale Hospital and visiting specialists.

The specialists do not pay to use rooms, staff and medical supplies when they work at Bairnsdale.

Bairnsdale Health Service says rising costs mean they need to begin charging rental fees.

Mr Davis says he thinks a fee is justified, but mediation is needed to resolve the impasse.

“It’s unsustainable for the hospital’s budget, and therefore treatment of patients, to have a long-term increasing subsidy cost for visiting specialists,” he said.

“But those specialists have in place arrangements which they reasonably expect to continue, so there’s got to be some sort of compromise reached through mediation.”

Tamil Nadu chilli farmers benefit from ”drip irrigation” technique

Chennai, Mar 26 (ANI): The drip irrigation technique has benefited chilli farmers in Tamil Nadu”s Dharmapuri district.

“Drip irrigation is better for chilli cultivation. Using normal cultivation methods, farmers received revenue of between Rs 75,000 to 80,000. With the help of drip irrigation system, we receive amount between one to one and a half lakh rupees out of which we are able to save one lakh as profit,” said Rajkumar, a farmer.

The National Horticulture Scheme provides chilli farmers with access to improved irrigation techniques and subsidy.
“In the horticulture department, under National Horticulture Scheme, an area of expansion is being implemented. In this scheme, 80 hectares of chilli is being covered this year. A subsidy of 11,250 rupees per hectare is provided,” said Nagalingam, Assistant Director of National Horticulture.

In 2009, red chillies were cultivated in 67,000 hectares in Tamil Nadu.

India has immense potential to export different types of chillies demanded by local as well as many international markets.

Chilli exports have been rising over the last few years due to increased demand and short supply from other major producing countries like China and Pakistan.

Indian chillies are exported to United States, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Nepal, Bangladesh and the other Gulf countries. (ANI)

Delhi Govt. announces increases VAT on CNG, diesel in Budget 2010

New Delhi, Mar 22 (ANI): The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi on Monday announced increase in the value added tax (VAT) on natural gas (CNG), diesel, dry fruits, Desi ghee, glucose and tea while withdrawing the Rs. 40 subsidy on LPG (cooking gas) in the Budget 2010 and cited Commonwealth Games as the reason.

Addressing media, after presenting the Budget, Delhi’s Finance Minister A K Walia said the enhancement in VAT rates and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG were necessitated by the increased expenditure on infrastructural projects related to Commonwealth Games 2010.

Walia said that in view of increased expenditure due to the Commonwealth Games related projects and schemes and inadequate collection of taxes due to down turn in economy, additional sources of revenue are required.

Walia, however, assured that there would be no extra burden on the ””common man”” as the prices of essential commodities would not be increased.

””In any case with the implementation of GST next year, the subsidy on most items will have to be withdrawn,”” Walia said.

The Budget removes the current subsidy of Rs 40 on the LPG which will lead to increase in prices to Rs 322.80 per gas cylinder.

The withdrawal of subsidy will relieve the State Government of a burden of Rs 160 to Rs 170 crore per annum.

The VAT on CNG for use in transport sector has been hiked to five per cent which will translate into a hike of Rs 1.09 per litre while the VAT on diesel have been increased from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent which amounts to a hike of Rs 2.37 per litre.

Moreover, the VAT on writing instruments, watches above Rs 5,000, mobile phones and accessories above Rs 10,000 and readymade garments has also been enhanced.(ANI)

Farmers regain drought aid

About 60 landholders in western New South Wales are set to regain Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance.

The Federal Government has decided to reinstate EC relief for a group of farmers at Peak Hill and Tomingley.

The declaration, which relates to an area spanning about 60,000 hectares, comes into force from the beginning of next month.

Steve Griffith from the New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority says it appears that the area has previously been overlooked.

“When the National Rural Advisory Council visited that area that was previously in EC assistance, they observed that that adjoining area at that stage was not in their mind probably qualified for assistance,” he said.

“As a result of that the area was expanded to take that area in.”

Mr Griffith says the EC assistance will be available from the beginning of next month.

“It will mean that they’re eligible for interest rate subsidy assistance from the authority and also eligible for EC income support which is administered by Centrelink,” he said.

Centre announces five percent increase in DA for employees and pensioners

New Delhi, Sep 10 (ANI): The Union Government on Thursday announced a five percent increase in the dearness allowance for its employees and pensioners, with effect from July this year.

The announcement will entail an outgo of about Rs 2,904 crore this fiscal.

Announcing the decision after a cabinet meeting, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters that the combined impact on the exchequer on account of hike in dearness allowance and relief would be of the order of Rs 4,355.35 crore for entire year.

The impact for the current fiscal would be Rs 2903.55 crore, as the increase would be effective for nine months only from July to March.

Soni said, a five percent increase in the DA for the employees and dearness relief for pensioners would be over the existing rate of 22 percent of the basic pay or pension.

The Union Cabinet also approved the interest rate subsidy of one percent for housing loans up to Rs 10 lakhs and earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for the scheme.

The subsidy of one percent will be available for first 12 EMIs (Equated Monthly Installments) on loans up to Rs 10 lakhs for houses costing less than Rs 20 lakhs.

Earlier, in July while replying to the debate on the General Budget Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had announced the scheme for providing interest rate subsidy on house loans. (ANI)

WTO negotiations to resume in Geneva on September 14

New Delhi, Sep 4 (ANI): The informal meeting of the trade and commerce ministers of key World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries agreed on Friday to resume negotiations on September 14 in Geneva.

The negotiators will hold the meeting for a week beginning September 14, sources said.

The global trade talks are stalled since July last year.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said: “We have reached an agreement to intensify the negotiations. It has been a breakthrough in this meeting, if I can use this expression, the impasse has been broken.”

The Geneva talks had collapsed after India and other developing countries opposed the agriculture subsidies offered by developed nations to their farmers

The developing countries argued that the new subsidy would distort trade by making the produce of their countries costly.

“It has been agreed by all with strong consensus and unanimous endorsement that the chief negotiators and the senior officials will meet in Geneva on September 14,” Sharma added. (ANI)

Meghalaya bid to attract tourists

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Meghalaya Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary called on Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja here today and told here that Megahalaya has vast tourism potential both for domestic as well as foreign tourists.

He said, leave travel concession to the Central Government employees to visit the north-east has made Meghalaya quite popular among tourists.

“Tourism is one of the most important aspects in achieving the national integration,” he added.

Welcoming the proposed Heli-tourism announced by the Union Ministry of tourism, he urged that travel by helicopter to Meghalaya might be made affordable to attract more visitors to the area.

He requested to see if a subsidy could be considered in this regard.

Selja said the Union Government is committed to promote tourism in the north-east and the region is on the priority agenda for development of tourism related infrastructure.

“Tourism and people-to-people contact has provided an excellent opportunity to have better understanding among the people to know each other,” she added. (ANI)

German Chancellor meets Manmohan Singh at G8-G5 summit

L’aquila, July 10 (ANI): German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met on the sidelines of the G8-G5 summit here on Thursday.

They reportedly discussed bilateral issues and topics pertinent to the summit.

Leaders of the world’s richest nations and major developing powers would have on the table issues like global warming and international trade, with the poorer countries seeking concessions.

U S President Barack Obama would chair the climate discussions, but hopes of agreeing on ambitious emission-reducing goals have faded after China and India rejected demands to halve their emission of greenhouse gases by 2050.

The talks have been broadened to include the heads of new economic powerhouses in recognition that the world’s problems can no longer be dealt with by an elite few.

The fragile state of the global economy dominated the first day of the annual G-8 summit, with the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia acknowledging that were still significant risks to financial stability.

The 17-member Major Economies Forum (MEF), which groups the G-8 plus big developing nations, also looks set to embrace the two Celsius goal on Thursday, but is balking at making further commitments ahead of a decisive U.N. climate conference in December.

Progress has been hampered by the absence of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who withdrew from talks to attend to ethnic clashes in China’s northwest that have killed 156 people and wounded over a thousand.ndian negotiators said developing countries first wanted to see rich nation plans to provide financing to help them cope with ever more floods, heatwaves, storms and rising sea levels.

Broader economic concerns are also high on the agenda, with emerging nations complaining that they are suffering heavily from a crisis that was not of their making.

China, India and Brazil have all questioned whether the world should start seeking a new global reserve currency as an alternative to the dollar. They have said they may raise this on Thursday after having discussed it amongst themselves on July 8.

The debate is highly sensitive in financial markets, which are wary of risks to U.S. asset values, and the issue is unlikely to progress very far in L’Aquila.

However, a breakthrough on trade may be within reach. Diplomats say the G-8 and G-5 should agree to conclude the stalled Doha round of trade talks in 2010. Launched in 2001 to help poor countries prosper, they have stumbled on proposed tariff and subsidy cuts. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)

Obama, Manmohan cozy up at G8-G5 summit

L’aquila, July 9 (ANI): US president Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cozied up to each other at a summit of the G8-G5 groupings at L’Aquila in Italy on Thursday.

Leaders of the world’s richest nations and major developing powers would have on the table raging issues like global warming and international trade, with the poorer countries seeking concessions.

US President Barack Obama would chair the climate discussions, but hopes of agreeing ambitious goals have faded after China and India rejected demands to halve the emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050.

The talks come on the second of a three-day Group of Eight summit, with discussions broadened to include the heads of new economic powerhouses in recognition that the world’s problems cannot no longer be dealt with by an elite few.

The fragile state of the global economy dominated the first day of the annual G8 summit, with the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia acknowledging that were still significant risks to financial stability.

The 17-member Major Economies Forum (MEF), which groups the G8 plus big developing nations, also looks set to embrace the two Celsius goal on Thursday, but is balking at further commitments ahead of a decisive U.N. climate conference in December.

Progress could be hampered by the absence of Chinese President Hu Jintao, who withdrew from talks to attend to ethnic clashes in China’s northwest that have killed 156 people and wounded over a thousand.

Indian negotiators said developing countries first wanted to see rich nation plans to provide financing to help them cope with ever more floods, heatwaves, storms and rising sea levels.

Broader economic concerns are also high on the agenda, with emerging nations complaining that they are suffering heavily from a crisis that was not of their making.

China, India and Brazil have all questioned whether the world should start seeking a new global reserve currency as an alternative to the dollar. They have said they may raise this on Thursday after having discussed it amongst themselves on Wednesday (July 08).

The debate is highly sensitive in financial markets, which are wary of risks to U.S. asset values, and the issue is unlikely to progress very far in L’Aquila.

However, a breakthrough on trade may be within reach. Diplomats say the G8 and G5 should agree to conclude the stalled Doha round of trade talks in 2010. Launched in 2001 to help poor countries prosper, they have stumbled on proposed tariff and subsidy cuts. (ANI)

Gujarat textile traders pin hope on government’s annual budget

Surat, June 26 (ANI): Textile traders in Surat, who are hit by global recession, high bank interests and soaring cotton prices, hope for some relief in the government’s annual budget which is scheduled to be presented on July 6.

The textile industry of Surat has been feeling the heat of global financial crisis with export orders going down.

The industry used to be flooded with orders round the year and small units were busy expanding their operational capacities to meet the increased demand. However, this does not seem to be the case any more.

Anil Bhagwani, a garment exporter said that the Central Government should make special provisions for the export of garments.

“Our expectation is that right from the yarn weaving till the market, where finished garments are sold, the government should give more subsidy and as far as the finished garment is concerned, the government should make provisions for export so that the garment business flourishes,” Bhagwani added.

Devkishen Mangani, spokesman for Textile Association, Surat, said that the audit limit, fixed by the Central Government at rupees 40 lakh must be increased to rupees two crores for the benefit of small traders.

“Our biggest demand is that around 20-25 years back, the Central government had set the audit limit at rupees 40 lakh and till now it’s the same and has not been increased. If it’s not increased, the small traders will not be able to progress. So we demand that it should be increased to two crores and also the Income Tax relaxation should be fixed at rupees three lakhs so that the small traders can come forward,” Mangani added.

The Indian textile industry is one of the largest employment generators in the world.It is also one of the largest textile industries in the world second only to China. (ANI)

Delhi budget to be presented today

New Delhi, June 22 (ANI): The Delhi Government is likely to recommend some tough measures in the state budget which is to be unveiled today.

According to senior officials with the Delhi Government, as the revenue fell by over Rs 1,300 crore during the year 2008-09, the Government may feel compelled to undertake some harsh measures to improve its financial position.

As the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) are struggling with its financial health, the budget could also see an announcement of increase in water and transport tariff.

Delhi’s Finance Minister A K Walia is expected to assign extra money for infrastructure projects relating to next year’s Commonwealth Games.

The budget may also address the issue of whether to carry on with Rs 200 crore yearly subsidies to power discoms, which is given to keep the tariff level at the level of 2004-05. The subsidy period expired on May 31. (ANI)

WTO ministerial meeting set for November

Geneva – The World Trade Organization will hold in November its first ministerial meeting since 2005, but it was not to include negotiations on the Doha Round of trade talks, officials said Wednesday.

According to WTO rules, ministerial conferences are meant to take place at least once every two years.

Officials explained that the focus on the Doha Development Round had caused delegations to push back a full ministers’ meet in hopes of gathering them together to hammer out details on the multilateral trade deal.

The 2001-launched Doha talks have, however, been largely stalled in recent years as developing markets and industrialized economies argue over market access, including subsidy caps and tariff limits.

An informal meeting in Geneva last year of key ministers broke down after more than a week of talks on Doha, which is meant to further development through liberalizing trade.

Mario Matus, the chairman of the WTO General Council – which was meeting Tuesday and Wednesday – said members wanted a regular ministerial, given the gap of nearly four years since the last conference in Hong Kong.

The General Council is the highest decision-making body of the member-based WTO.

“When you are a rules based organization and you don’t follow the rules, it is not so good,” one official said plainly.

The upcoming meeting, to take place in Geneva between November 30 and December 2, would likely focus on general trade and economic issues and would include an open plenary session with the ministers.

Pascal Lamy, the WTO’s director, recently said that while there was progress being made on technical aspects of the Doha round, the political will was still lacking to gather ministers and finalize an agreement at the multilateral level.

Matus was meant to hold talks with delegations to the WTO on possible sub-themes to the conference, which will take place under the banner of “The WTO, the Multilateral Trading System and the Current Global Economic Environment.”(dpa)

WTO chief: Social impact of crisis to be trade’s real “stress test”

WTO chief: Social impact of crisis to be trade's real Geneva – The full social impact of the economic crisis has not yet hit, the World Trade Organization’s chief said Tuesday, warning that when it did, protectionist political pressure would rise.

“The full social impact of the current crisis, unfortunately, is still to come and it will inevitably create more political pressures on the multilateral trading system,” WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said in Geneva during a session of the body’s General Council.

Unemployment is expected to continue to rise, even after economies begin to pull themselves out of recession. Similarly, prices on staple goods may soar before a real economic recovery kicks in, United Nations agencies have warned.

“But it is precisely at this time, when protectionist temptations flourish, that the value of the multilateral trading system is all the more apparent to all us,” Lamy said.

Government were looking to the Doha Round of trade negotiations “as the lowest hanging global stimulus package available,” he added.

The round was launched in 2001, but has been stalled in recent years as developing markets and industrialized economies argue over subsidy caps and tariff limits.

“The “stress test” of the multilateral trading system is still to come,” Lamy said about protectionists winds.

He noted that there was some movement on the technical aspects of the Doha talks but that as yet things were not ripe for the parties to return to negotiation table to work out the political parts to the multilateral trade deal.(dpa)

Delhi schools fee hike, an election issue

New Delhi, Apr 30 (ANI): Demanding subsidy in school fees, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest here against fee hike by private schools.

A BJP delegation including senior leaders Vijay Kumar Malhotra and Vijay Goel met Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit on Wednesday and demanded immediate roll back of the hike.

“The Delhi Government hiked school fee between Rs. 100-500. But schools in lieu of that hike are also asking for Rs. 10,000-15,000. This money should be given by government from its side in form of a subsidy. The burden of fee hike should not be laid on the parents,” Malhotra said.

“Sheila Dixit said that she will calculate it, but won’t withdraw order. But if this order is not withdrawn, school authorities will continuously charge fees and disturb kids who don’t pay the hiked fee,” added Malhotra.

On this, Sheila Dixit said, “They have suggested that we should give subsidy on fee hike. But I told them at present elections are underway and if I announce subsidy this time you will complain to the Election Commission that I am doing this for vote catching. So we can’t do it as code of conduct is in place,” saidixit.

In January, the Delhi Government had given its nod to a structured fee hike in private schools, but parents’ associations claim the increase has been manifold. he school fee hike, following a revision in the wages of government employees, has become a major local issue in the national capital ahead of the May 7 polls in the fourth phase of the parliamentary elections. (ANI)

Britain to subsidize electric car purchases

London – The British government said Thursday it will offer cash incentives to motorists who buy electric cars.

Under measures due to come into force in 2011 drivers will receive a subsidy of between 2,000 to 5,000 pounds (7,500 dollars) if they switch to electric vehicles.

The green scheme, expected to cost 250 million pounds, is designed to help the environment and inject life into Britain’s struggling car industry.

Electric cars will soon be a “real option” for motorists, Transport Minister Geoff Hoon said in announcing the plans.

According to Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, only 0.1 per cent of the 26 million vehicles on Britain’s roads were powered by electricity.

He said electric vehicles will play a key role in cutting emissions and paving the way for a “low-carbon future.” (dpa)