In the backdrop of rupee's fall against dollar and the escalation of Syrian crisis ballooning oil import bill, Union Petroleum Minister Marpadi Veerappa Moily on August 29 met Finance Minister P Chidambaram to discuss possible solutions to the crisis. Sources said that the oil minister discussed with Chidambaram the diesel price hike of Rs 3-4 per litre and cut in duties.
FlashNews:
FLY91 Strengthens Leadership Team with Seasoned Aviation Executives to Drive Regional Growth
Sonowal Calls for Technology‑Led Maritime Security as India’s Port Network Grows
Civil Aviation Minister Naidu Expands Pilot Training Network with 11 New FTOs
INS Malvan Commissioned with AM/NS India Steel Backbone
Air India Names Tewolde Gebremariam CEO & MD to Drive Global Expansion
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Crosses 5 Million Rooftop Solar Installations
Delhi Airport Expands Domestic Network to 90 Destinations with Launch of Direct Flights to Daman
Jupiter Wagons, Lucchini RS to Build India’s First Fully Integrated Private‑Sector Railwheel Manufacturing Platform
Willie Walsh Takes Charge as IndiGo CEO
Indian Railways Posts 9% Freight Growth in July 2026
PM Modi Dedicates POWERGRID Transmission Projects for Clean Energy in Andhra Pradesh
AM/NS India Highlights Long‑Life Solar Infrastructure with Magnelis for 300 GW Ambition
RECPDCL Hands Over Ryapte Transmission SPV to Tata Power
India’s Rooftop Solar Push Accelerates as PM Surya Ghar Nears 5 Million Homes
PM Modi Looks East to Future After Bhogapuram Airport Unveiling
India Approves ₹50.7 Billion Scheme for Floating Solar Projects with Energy Storage
Air India, SkyDrive, and Suzuki Join Forces to Explore eVTOL Medical Logistics in India
REC, PFC Seal ₹268.5 Billion Loan Deal for 2,400 MW Meja Thermal Project
Tata Power Renewables Breaks Ground on 800 MW Hybrid Project in Andhra Pradesh
Category: Infrastructure Finance
Investment: A legacy of perception?
An India-US Infrastructure Fund that was set up in 2010, but with the US recently lodging a formal complaint against India with World Trade Council on entry barriers to companies, things could be on wait-and-watch mode.
Ministry Allows Sovereign Funds to Invest in Tax-free Bonds
Reports indicate that the Finance Ministry allowed sovereign wealth funds to invest in debt instruments floated by state-run companies. It may be noted that the government allowed 13 state-run firms to raise around Rs 48,000 crore by selling tax-free bonds in 2013-14
Banks Wary of Lending to NBFC Sector
In the 12 months to June 2013, growth of bank lending to non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) declined to 1.9 per cent compared to 44 per cent in the year-ago period. Banks are said to be wary of lending to NBFCs following stricter guidelines issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Ficci sees $906 bn Investment
Indian construction industry is expected to see investments of over $906 billion this Plan period, according to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) Deputy Director Jasmeet Singh
Srei Hikes Lending Rate
Considering the rise in the cost of funds for the infrastructure sector, Srei Infrastructure Finance raised benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points. Thus, the new benchmark rate stands at 18 per cent per annum effective from September 1, 2013 compared to the earlier rate of 17.50 per cent.
IFC Mulls new Bank Licence
The private sector investment arm of World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) is looking out to partner with aspirants for new bank licences, as it increases its investment in India to $2 billion this year.
Economic Growth Recovery Later in FY14
In its Annual Report 2012-13, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the economic growth may recover later in 2013-14 if government delivers better administration, eases supply constraints and maintain stability.
Nabard Fund for Gujarat Agri-Infra
Under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund-XIX (RIDF-XIX), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 175.74 crore to Gujarat.
Free Zone Lures Indian Investors
As Middle Eastern ports vie for Indian transhipment trade, UAE-based Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) has recently expanded its footprint into India in alliance with AFZA International Pvt Ltd. Free Zones in the UAE and the neighbouring region have been luring Indian companies to establish trade hubs in their tax-free economic zones attached to ports.

