Cabinet approves merger of 10 PSBs into 4

The Cabinet approved the amalgamation of the 10 public sector banks (PSB) into 4 PSBs that was announced on August 30, 2019. The nod was given today and the merger would come into effect from April 1, 2020. The Cabinet’s approval will lead to the merger of –
Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India into Punjab National Bank;
Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank into Union Bank of India;
Syndicate Bank into Canara Bank; and
Allahabad Bank into Indian Bank

Economic slowdown: Measures taken by Modi govt will boost growth, says SBI MD Dinesh Khara

https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/economic-slowdown-measures-taken-by-modi-govt-will-boost-growth-says-sbi-md-dinesh-khara/1883803/

Union Budget 2020 – Highlights, Key Takeaways, Detailed Analysis & Impact on various Sectors

The Union Budget has been structured on the overall theme of “Ease of Living.” The Finance Minister said that the Union Budget Aims: To achieve seamless delivery of services through Digital governance; To improve physical quality of life through National Infrastructure Pipeline; Risk mitigation through Disaster Resilience; Social security through Pension and Insurance penetration.
The budget is woven around three prominent themes:
Aspirational India in which all sections of the society seek better standards of living, with access to health, education and better jobs. Economic development for all, indicated in the Prime Minister’s exhortation of “SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas, SabkaVishwas”. Caring Society that is both humane and compassionate, where Antyodaya is an article of faith.

The three broad themes are held together by

Corruption free – policy-driven good governance
Clean and sound financial sector.

The three components of Aspirational India are- a) Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development , b) Wellness, Water and Sanitation and c) Education and Skills

Economic Measures to Boost Economy by the Finance Minister

To boost liquidity in the market, the government has cleared dues worth more than 60% of 32 CPSEs in the last two months.
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, held a press conference on the measures taken to boost economy. Chief Economic Adviser K. Subramanian, gave a presentation on Major Interventions to Boost Economy.Rs 20kcr proposals likely to get nod in 2 weeks; FM promises support to any sector that needs help. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman promised support to any other sector that may need help following a finance ministry presentation on ‘Major Interventions to Boost the Economy’ in the Capital on Friday.

Fifth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2019-20 – Key Highlights

RBI Monetary Policy Highlights: Future repo rate cuts not being ruled out, says Shaktikanta Das. Despite an expectation of 25 bps repo rate cut, MPC maintained status quo on repo rate at 5.15 percent and accommodative stance.

Indian public sector banks had “worst phase” under Manmohan Singh, Raghuram Rajan: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the Indian public sector banks had the “worst phase” under the combination of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan

State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2019-20

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2019-20”, an annual publication that provides information, analysis and an assessment of the finances of state governments. With several states facing state elections this summer, presentation of their final budgets was delayed till July-September 2019. This year’s Report analyses the underlying dynamics of budget estimates (BE) for 2019-20 against the backdrop of actual for 2017-18 and revised (and provisional accounts) outcomes for 2018-19. The Report addresses the theme of “Debt: States’ Medium Term Fiscal Challenges”. A time-series data published in State Finance Reports from 1990-91 is also released along with this Report.

Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies

Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies released by RBI on 4th October sets out various developmental and regulatory policy measures for strengthening regulation and supervision; broadening and deepening financial markets; and improving the payment and settlement systems.

RBI policy: Highest cumulative repo rate cut in 10 years

The repo rate was cut by 135bps so far in CY19. The last time the repo rate saw such a large cumulative cut in a year, was in 2009.

Fourth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2019-20 – Highlights & Key Takeaways

RBI has cut repo rate by a further 25 basis points. This is the fifth straight rate cut as RBI aids government in boosting economy.
Central bank has lowered GDP growth estimate from 6.9% to 6.1%