PM pushes for reforms, says will exit stimulus next year
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who as finance minister in the 90s initiated liberalisation, on Sunday said his government would steadily pursue reforms to feed economic growth, while withdrawing the fiscal stimulus by next year.

Food prices to decline after winter crop: Sharad Pawar
Food prices will decline after the rabi crop as production of wheat, rice, pulses, oil seeds and sugarcane during the winter is expected to be higher than in drought-hit kharif season, union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said.

India may not achieve 9% growth during 11th FYP
India may not achieve its growth target of nine percent during the 11th Five-Year Plan period as the economic slowdown and drought are likely to take their toll, a senior Planning Commission member said.

No plan to change FDI norms in retail sector: Govt
The government on Friday said there is no plan to change existing FDI rules in retail, a day after Chairman of the world`s largest retailer Wal-Mart Inc met the Prime Minister and reportedly pressed to open up the sector.

India, EU leaders hope for FTA in a year amidst differences
India and the European Union on Friday hoped of clinching a free trade agreement in a year, but non-trade issues like labour standards and environment remain as sticky negotiating points.

India`s forex reserves down at $284.3 billion
India`s foreign exchange reserves fell to USD 284.391 billion for the week ended October 30.

Textile technology facelift scheme runs into fund deficit
The government`s popular technology upgrading scheme has run into fund deficit following an overwhelming demand from the industry for subsidy on capital cost for modernising operations.

Govt should bring in policy for crop diversification: Assocham
The government should come out with a farm policy aimed at crop diversification and use of environment-friendly materials in place of chemicals and pesticides, industry body Assocham said on Friday.

NHAI likely to get $400mn loan from ADB next month
The National Highways Authority of India on Friday said it is negotiating with the Asian Development Bank for a USD 400-million (about Rs 1,800 crore) loan, and the deal may get through by the next month.

Govt defends separate index for food articles
Government today justified the introduction of separate index numbers for primary products and manufacturing items, saying the new mechanism give better reflection of price movements.