Akhaura-Agartala rail link: survey after Budget

Agartala: India will soon start the final survey to lay the rail link between Akhaura in Bangladesh and Agartala, a project which New Delhi plans to implement within two years, a top railway official said on Monday.

Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) of Northeast Frontier Railway Mohan Lal said the survey for the 11.5 km line would start immediately after allocation of funds in the coming budget.

Dear FM, here is India Inc's Budget 2012 wish list

A date is finally set. The Union Budget will be presented on March 16 post the State elections. This could be the UPA government's make-or-break Budget. The economy is going through a slowdown. The bureaucracy is in a state of paralysis and corporate India is suffering from a bout of depression.

Given these fiscal and political constraints can Pranab Mukherjee change the mood of the nation? Will he present an agenda for growth or a statement of accounts?

Agri Min pitches for crop loan at 3% in Budget 2012

In its Budget wish-list, the Agriculture Ministry has demanded lowering of interest rate on crop loans to 3% for those farmers who pay in time, from the existing 4%.

According to sources, the ministry has suggested an additional one per cent interest subvention (subsidy) on short-term crop loans of up to Rs 3 lakh to farmers who pay their dues on time. Other farmers get crop loans at seven per cent interest rate.

Railways to move RPF Amendment Bill

NEW DELHI: A legislation to make the Railway Protection Force (RPF) responsible for all railway related law and order issues, apart from passenger safety, will likely be tabled in March 2012 when the Budget will be discussed in Parliament.

The Bill is before the Cabinet for an approval.

Union Budget to decide market sentiment

Mumbai, Last week was indeed flat and positive with NIFTY gaining back almost all that it had lost during the first few days. Immense fund flow clubbed with retail participation helped NIFTY to move above 5400, hinting that the markets are entering another bull phase. NIFTY is on a consolidation mode and it is having a base at 5325 and 5250.

The resistance for the NIFTY will be at 5450 and 5500. A break below the key support level can bring down the NIFTY towards 5183 and more.

Fare hike on the cards in Railway Budget 2012

New Delhi, With passenger fares on a freeze for years and little money to expand the world's second largest railroad network under a single management, Minister Dinesh Trivedi has an unenviable task when he presents the annual Railway Budget on March 14.

Poor financial management over the past few years has left Indian Railways staring at an earnings shortfall of Rs.7,000 crore despite gross budgetary support of Rs.20,000 crore last year and a Rs.3,000-crore loan approved by the finance ministry.

India retains world's most optimistic market tag

New Delhi: India has once again emerged as the most optimistic market, driven by its buoyant domestic consumption levels, but slowing growth and inflationary concerns could put pressure on consumer confidence for the year ahead, says a survey.

According to the latest global consumer confidence findings from Nielsen, a provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy, India remained the world's most optimistic market for the eighth consecutive quarter with a one point consumer confidence index increase to 122.

Sensex ends in green; SBI, SAIL in Q3 limelight

Mumbai: The Indian market has kept investors and traders guessing on its next move after a stellar rally of 20 per cent in 40 days. For Nifty, Monday's close was the sixth day of consolidation within the 5300-5400 range. While the rally appears to have lost its steam, it has refused to drift lower. This has baffled the market participants who cannot decided whether to hold long positions or create shorts.

Global cues will continue to make an impact on our market. On the domestic front, impending elections and anticipation of the wining party thereafter will influence market sentiments.

Home loans may get Rs 3 lakh tax deduction

New Delhi: In a bid to boost housing sector credit, the government is contemplating enhancing income tax exemption for up to Rs 3 lakh paid as interest on housing loans in a year, from the existing limit of Rs 1.5 lakh.

The government is considering raising the tax deduction limit for a housing loan in the coming Budget, sources said.

Exuberant Indian markets gloss over economic reality

New Delhi: Surging capital inflows, booming stock markets and a fast-appreciating currency suggest the India story is again shining after a dismal 2011.

Dig a little deeper, and problems afflicting Asia's third-largest economy remain largely unabated and unaddressed. Inflationary risks remain and a political logjam continues to hem in reforms, clouding the economic outlook.