NITI Aayog&#39;s latest release states a drop in sex ratio&nbsp;at birth (SRB) in 17 Indian states.&nbsp;

According to the report, Gujarat recorded the most alarming dip of 53 points, the sex ratio at birth here fell to 854 females from 907 females per 1,000 males born from 2012-14 (base year) to 2013-15.

Gujarat is followed by Haryana, which registered a drop of 35 points. Rajasthan at 32 points followed with Uttarakhand (27 points), Maharashtra (18 points), Himachal Pradesh (14 points), Chhattisgarh (12 points), and Karnataka (11 points) following closely.&nbsp;

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NITI Aayog&#39;s &lsquo;Healthy States, Progressive India&rsquo; report called out for the need to check sex-selective abortion rate.&nbsp;

&ldquo;There is a clear need for states to effectively implement the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 and take appropriate measures to promote the value of the girl child,&rdquo; the report stated.

The report was released last week and noted states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to have shown improvement in the SRB.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Sex ratio at birth is an important indicator and reflects the extent to which there is a reduction in the number of girl children born by sex-selective abortions,&rdquo; the report noted.

(With inputs from PTI)

According to the report, Gujarat recorded the most alarming dip of 53 points

NITI Aayog's latest release states a drop in sex ratio at birth (SRB) in 17 Indian states. According to the report, Gujarat recorded the most alarming dip of 53 points, the sex ratio at birth here fell to 854 females from 907 females per 1,000 males born from 2012-14 (base year) to 2013-15. Gujarat is followed by Haryana, which registered a drop of 35 points. Rajasthan at 32 points followed with Uttarakhand (27 points), Maharashtra (18 points), Himachal Pradesh (14 points), Chhattisgarh (12 points), and Karnataka (11 points) following closely. NITI Aayog's ‘Healthy States, Progressive India’ report called out for the need to check sex-selective abortion rate. “There is a clear need for states to effectively implement the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 and take appropriate measures to promote the value of the girl child,” the report stated. The report was released last week and noted states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to have shown improvement in the SRB. “Sex ratio at birth is an important indicator and reflects the extent to which there is a reduction in the number of girl children born by sex-selective abortions,” the report noted. (With inputs from PTI)

'Sex ratio at birth' drop in 17 Indian states: NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog&#39;s Health Index report has Kerala placed on top followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh figures at the bottom of the list as the worst performer.&nbsp;

Among larger states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha joined Uttar Pradesh as states that performed poorly in the health index.

Mizoram ranked first among small states&nbsp;followed by Manipur and Goa.

In terms of annual incremental performance measured in larger states, Jharkhand, Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh appeared as the top three states.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant released the report stating that the Health Index will act as a tool to leverage cooperative and competitive federalism. He also hoped that the Index will help in accelerating the pace of achieving health outcomes.

NITI Aayog member Vinod Paul said that the Health Index measures the absolute and incremental changes in health outcomes and will facilitate&nbsp;cross-learning between states.

NITI Aayog&#39;s initiative -- in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare -- aims at enabling better assessment of health outcomes across the country.

The report explicitly focuses on the outcomes of health systems.

The index consists of 24 indicators including&nbsp;health outcomes, governance and information, and key inputs or processes.&nbsp;

All Indian states and union territories were categorised into larger states, smaller states, and union territories. &nbsp;

Among union territories, Lakshwadeep islands emerged on top of the health index. The UT was also listed as the highest annual incremental performer.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Among larger states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha joined Uttar Pradesh as states that performed poorly in the health index

NITI Aayog's Health Index report has Kerala placed on top followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh figures at the bottom of the list as the worst performer. Among larger states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha joined Uttar Pradesh as states that performed poorly in the health index. Mizoram ranked first among small states followed by Manipur and Goa. In terms of annual incremental performance measured in larger states, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh appeared as the top three states. NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant released the report stating that the Health Index will act as a tool to leverage cooperative and competitive federalism. He also hoped that the Index will help in accelerating the pace of achieving health outcomes. NITI Aayog member Vinod Paul said that the Health Index measures the absolute and incremental changes in health outcomes and will facilitate cross-learning between states. NITI Aayog's initiative -- in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare -- aims at enabling better assessment of health outcomes across the country. The report explicitly focuses on the outcomes of health systems. The index consists of 24 indicators including health outcomes, governance and information, and key inputs or processes. All Indian states and union territories were categorised into larger states, smaller states, and union territories. Among union territories, Lakshwadeep islands emerged on top of the health index. The UT was also listed as the highest annual incremental performer. (With inputs from agencies)

Kerala tops NITI Aayog's Health Index, Uttar Pradesh worst performer

Jharkhand ranks number one in health reforms according to NITI Aayog&#39;s Health Index.

According to the report, the state authorities got 6.87 per cent more work done in the field in 2015-15 as compared to 2014-15.&nbsp;

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das expressed his delight on the finding and noted that the state is committed toward providing better health services to the people of Jharkhand.

He also added that the authorities are working towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s dream of &quot;Swastha Bharat, Swastha Jharkhand&quot;.

NITI Aayog&#39;s Health Index report has Kerala placed on top followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh figures at the bottom of the list as the worst performer.&nbsp;

Among larger states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha joined Uttar Pradesh as states that performed poorly in the health index.

Mizoram ranked first among small states followed by Manipur and Goa.

The report was released by the NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Priti Sudan, Union Health Secretary and World Bank&#39;s India Country Head Junaid Ahmed.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

NITI Aayog Health Index report has Kerala placed on top

Jharkhand ranks number one in health reforms according to NITI Aayog's Health Index. According to the report, the state authorities got 6.87 per cent more work done in the field in 2015-15 as compared to 2014-15. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das expressed his delight on the finding and noted that the state is committed toward providing better health services to the people of Jharkhand. He also added that the authorities are working towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of "Swastha Bharat, Swastha Jharkhand". NITI Aayog's Health Index report has Kerala placed on top followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Uttar Pradesh figures at the bottom of the list as the worst performer. Among larger states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Odisha joined Uttar Pradesh as states that performed poorly in the health index. Mizoram ranked first among small states followed by Manipur and Goa. The report was released by the NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Priti Sudan, Union Health Secretary and World Bank's India Country Head Junaid Ahmed. (With inputs from agencies)

NITI Aayog Health Index: Jharkhand number one in health reforms

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant was today given an extension till June 30 next year, according to an official order.

He was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the government think tank on February 17, 2016 for a two-year term.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved an extension of Kant&#39;s tenure till June 30, 2019, the order issued by the personnel ministry said.

Kant is a 1980 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre.

Before taking over as the CEO of National Institution for Transforming India (Niti Aayog), he was Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.&nbsp;

He was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the government think tank on February 17, 2016 for a two-year term

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant was today given an extension till June 30 next year, according to an official order. He was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the government think tank on February 17, 2016 for a two-year term. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved an extension of Kant's tenure till June 30, 2019, the order issued by the personnel ministry said. Kant is a 1980 batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre. Before taking over as the CEO of National Institution for Transforming India (Niti Aayog), he was Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant gets extension till June 30, 2019

Making the country malnutrition-free would be the bedrock of any achievement towards a New India by the year 2022, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said here today.

&quot;As many as 38.4 per cent of our children are born stunted or suffering from malnutrition. It&#39;s a blemish, a stain on our national record that we cannot afford to live with,&quot; he said while delivering a presentation on New India @2022, at the inauguration of the two-day conference of district Collectors.

He said that removing malnutrition is a pre-requisite for building a knowledge economy.

&quot;How can we talk about a knowledge economy with that sort of a statistics? If we want to build a knowledge economy, the first thing we have to do is to remove malnutrition and achieve kuposhan-mukt Bharat by 2022.

&quot;If we do nothing else by 2022 and achieve only this...We would have done our country proud and a great service,&quot; Kumar said.

He said NITI Aayog has already launched a nutrition strategy and would closely monitor the implementation of the nutrition mission in the country.

&quot;The Prime Minister made me Chairman of National Nutrition Mission. We will be watching like a hawk, every state and every district, on how the mission is coming about,&quot; Kumar said, adding that they are using the latest technology to achieve this.

He said a real-time data dashboard will be installed for the purpose.

&quot;Hope Andhra Pradesh will lead the effort because this effort will be the bedrock of any achievement...Every achievement we actually want to make,&quot; the NITI Aayog vice-chief said.

Speaking on the economy, Kumar said the note ban move had resulted in a 19 per cent jump indirect tax collection.

&quot;People very often criticise demonetisation saying &#39;Oh the black income had actually not been caught red-handed&#39;. Believe me...Black wealth has at least become grey because now it is all sitting in the bank accounts, which is being monitored closely by the banking division and the CBDT,&quot; the noted economist said.

Without demonetisation, the country&#39;s security itself would have been jeopardised, he said, recalling the first warning note he sounded way back in 2007.

Hailing GST as a &quot;historic step unifying our economy&quot;, Kumar said it was forcing &quot;formalisation&quot; of all businesses in the country.

&quot;It is a very, very big step. About 40-50 per cent of our economy was un-formalised. GST will see at least 20 per cent hike in revenues as we go forward in the years to come,&quot; he said.

Kumar further said India would become &quot;unstoppable&quot; if efficient delivery of public goods and services was achieved by rooting out corruption and ushering in e-governance.

&quot;Once we achieve efficient delivery of public goods and services, basic education, basic health, law and order, street lighting, infrastructure and all that...If we do that, private sector in our country is as capable as us...This country will become unstoppable,&quot; he said.

He said the old story of India being a &quot;soft state, soft government, a corrupt government, and the endemically nonperforming government is now history&quot;.

&quot;This is the beginning of a new India in terms of e-governance where accountability and transparency will be right at the forefront,&quot; he observed.

Stressing that India should embrace the fourth industrial revolution, Kumar said it was vital to ensure it did not cause a &quot;trade-off&quot; with employment generation.

&quot;The fourth industrial revolution is our tomorrow. Our eyes on 2022 should be with this focus in mind. We are seeing most disruptive technologies coming up in the world. We need to see that there is no trade-off between all of this and our biggest need today--- employment generation. That&#39;s our biggest priority,&quot; he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Ministers K E Krishna Murthy, N China Rajappa, Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar, Chief Commissioner of Land Administration Anil Chandra Punetha, ministers and bureaucrats attended the programme.

Later, Real-Time Governance CEO Babu Ahamed showed the NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman the functioning of RTG Centre at the state Secretariat.Kumar praised the facility saying it is unparalleled in the country.

&quot;Visit to RTG is just startling. It&#39;s an eye-opener. Will do my best to showcase this to all the other states and to the Central government, if I can. I don&#39;t think such a facility exists anywhere in the country.

This is the best idea of an accountable, transparent and digitally-driven governance. I think this is the future. This is the future for the rest of the country,&quot; he said.

Rajiv Kumar said a real-time data dashboard will be installed for the purpose

Making the country malnutrition-free would be the bedrock of any achievement towards a New India by the year 2022, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar said here today. "As many as 38.4 per cent of our children are born stunted or suffering from malnutrition. It's a blemish, a stain on our national record that we cannot afford to live with," he said while delivering a presentation on New India @2022, at the inauguration of the two-day conference of district Collectors. He said that removing malnutrition is a pre-requisite for building a knowledge economy. "How can we talk about a knowledge economy with that sort of a statistics? If we want to build a knowledge economy, the first thing we have to do is to remove malnutrition and achieve kuposhan-mukt Bharat by 2022. "If we do nothing else by 2022 and achieve only this...We would have done our country proud and a great service," Kumar said. He said NITI Aayog has already launched a nutrition strategy and would closely monitor the implementation of the nutrition mission in the country. "The Prime Minister made me Chairman of National Nutrition Mission. We will be watching like a hawk, every state and every district, on how the mission is coming about," Kumar said, adding that they are using the latest technology to achieve this. He said a real-time data dashboard will be installed for the purpose. "Hope Andhra Pradesh will lead the effort because this effort will be the bedrock of any achievement...Every achievement we actually want to make," the NITI Aayog vice-chief said. Speaking on the economy, Kumar said the note ban move had resulted in a 19 per cent jump indirect tax collection. "People very often criticise demonetisation saying 'Oh the black income had actually not been caught red-handed'. Believe me...Black wealth has at least become grey because now it is all sitting in the bank accounts, which is being monitored closely by the banking division and the CBDT," the noted economist said. Without demonetisation, the country's security itself would have been jeopardised, he said, recalling the first warning note he sounded way back in 2007. Hailing GST as a "historic step unifying our economy", Kumar said it was forcing "formalisation" of all businesses in the country. "It is a very, very big step. About 40-50 per cent of our economy was un-formalised. GST will see at least 20 per cent hike in revenues as we go forward in the years to come," he said. Kumar further said India would become "unstoppable" if efficient delivery of public goods and services was achieved by rooting out corruption and ushering in e-governance. "Once we achieve efficient delivery of public goods and services, basic education, basic health, law and order, street lighting, infrastructure and all that...If we do that, private sector in our country is as capable as us...This country will become unstoppable," he said. He said the old story of India being a "soft state, soft government, a corrupt government, and the endemically nonperforming government is now history". "This is the beginning of a new India in terms of e-governance where accountability and transparency will be right at the forefront," he observed. Stressing that India should embrace the fourth industrial revolution, Kumar said it was vital to ensure it did not cause a "trade-off" with employment generation. "The fourth industrial revolution is our tomorrow. Our eyes on 2022 should be with this focus in mind. We are seeing most disruptive technologies coming up in the world. We need to see that there is no trade-off between all of this and our biggest need today--- employment generation. That's our biggest priority," he said. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Ministers K E Krishna Murthy, N China Rajappa, Chief Secretary Dinesh Kumar, Chief Commissioner of Land Administration Anil Chandra Punetha, ministers and bureaucrats attended the programme. Later, Real-Time Governance CEO Babu Ahamed showed the NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman the functioning of RTG Centre at the state Secretariat.Kumar praised the facility saying it is unparalleled in the country. "Visit to RTG is just startling. It's an eye-opener. Will do my best to showcase this to all the other states and to the Central government, if I can. I don't think such a facility exists anywhere in the country. This is the best idea of an accountable, transparent and digitally-driven governance. I think this is the future. This is the future for the rest of the country," he said.

Getting rid of malnutrition crucial to build New India by 2022: NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday raised the issue of educated unemployment and the need to&nbsp;generate jobs in the country.&nbsp;

In a meeting held at Delhi, economists and experts pointed out to the rising educated unemployment in the country.&nbsp;

While addressing a press conference after the meeting NITI Aayog VC said&nbsp;&nbsp;&quot;some people pointed that the educated unemployment may be as high as 20 per cent and that is creating a problem. As you educate more people, raise aspirations and you have to provide them jobs.&quot;

He also said that he was hopeful in monitoring the high-frequency data on educated unemployment&nbsp;and will try to improve it by collaborating with the Minister of Labour.

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I am hoping NITI Aayog will monitor high frequency data on employment on a regular basis &amp; actually create new data set which is not available as of now. I am trying to create capability in the Aayog hopefully in collaboration with the Min of Labour to trap this data: Rajiv Kumar <a href="https://t.co/Ih8z4rS7CB">pic.twitter.com/Ih8z4rS7CB</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/951106915077009408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The experts also called for shifting the focus on agricultural production to raising farmers income by improving productivity, lowering costs, greater efficiency, greater market access, making producers of products rather than commodities.&nbsp;

The meeting which was themed as &quot;Economic Policy- The Road Ahead&quot; was organised&nbsp;in Delhi on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Prime minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley along with 40 economists and sector experts at NITI Aayog&nbsp;held a discussion on subjects relating to macroeconomy, urban development and connectivity.

The experts also held discussion on agriculture, rural development, employment, health, education, manufacturing, exports, and, infrastructure&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He also said that he was hopeful in monitoring the high-frequency data on educated unemployment and will try to improve it by collaborating with the Minister of Labour

NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday raised the issue of educated unemployment and the need to generate jobs in the country. In a meeting held at Delhi, economists and experts pointed out to the rising educated unemployment in the country. While addressing a press conference after the meeting NITI Aayog VC said "some people pointed that the educated unemployment may be as high as 20 per cent and that is creating a problem. As you educate more people, raise aspirations and you have to provide them jobs." He also said that he was hopeful in monitoring the high-frequency data on educated unemployment and will try to improve it by collaborating with the Minister of Labour. I am hoping NITI Aayog will monitor high frequency data on employment on a regular basis & actually create new data set which is not available as of now. I am trying to create capability in the Aayog hopefully in collaboration with the Min of Labour to trap this data: Rajiv Kumar pic.twitter.com/Ih8z4rS7CB — ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2018 × The experts also called for shifting the focus on agricultural production to raising farmers income by improving productivity, lowering costs, greater efficiency, greater market access, making producers of products rather than commodities. The meeting which was themed as "Economic Policy- The Road Ahead" was organised in Delhi on Wednesday. Prime minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley along with 40 economists and sector experts at NITI Aayog held a discussion on subjects relating to macroeconomy, urban development and connectivity. The experts also held discussion on agriculture, rural development, employment, health, education, manufacturing, exports, and, infrastructure

Educated unemployment may be as high as 20%: NITI Aayog vice-chairman

Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy on Thursday took potshots at senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha for attacking finance minister Arun Jaitley for the&nbsp;mess he had made of the economy.

Mr Debroy, who is also Chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council, said what the former finance minister called a &quot;serious emergency&quot; was actually a &quot;minor cold&quot;.

Bibek Debroy, who was suffering from cold, said the Indian economy was also going through something similar. He was speaking at the launch of the book &quot;India @70, Modi @3.5&quot;, edited by him and President&#39;s Press Secretary Ashok Malik.

In a direct reference to Yashwant Sinha, the Niti Aayog member said that when he went to Yashwant Palace for consulting a doctor, he was told he had a serious medical emergency, probably chikungunya, and could possibly die. The economist was referring to Mr Sinha&#39;s charges that the economy was unlikely to recover in the short to medium term.

Bibek Debroy said he then visited a &quot;more sensible doctor&quot; who told him to relax since he just had a minor cold which would pass within a few days.

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

In a direct reference to Yashwant Sinha, the Niti Aayog member said that when he went to Yashwant Palace for consulting a doctor, he was told he had a serious medical emergency, probably chikungunya, and could possibly die

Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy on Thursday took potshots at senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha for attacking finance minister Arun Jaitley for the mess he had made of the economy. Mr Debroy, who is also Chairman of the Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council, said what the former finance minister called a "serious emergency" was actually a "minor cold". Bibek Debroy, who was suffering from cold, said the Indian economy was also going through something similar. He was speaking at the launch of the book "India @70, Modi @3.5", edited by him and President's Press Secretary Ashok Malik. In a direct reference to Yashwant Sinha, the Niti Aayog member said that when he went to Yashwant Palace for consulting a doctor, he was told he had a serious medical emergency, probably chikungunya, and could possibly die. The economist was referring to Mr Sinha's charges that the economy was unlikely to recover in the short to medium term. Bibek Debroy said he then visited a "more sensible doctor" who told him to relax since he just had a minor cold which would pass within a few days.

What Yashwant Sinha calls serious emergency actually minor cold: Bibek Debroy

Resolution of bad loans in the banking system is on &#39;right track&#39; and will &#39;open the door&#39; to rapid credit expansion and growth, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya has said.

Terming the non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans problem as a &#39;legacy issue&#39;, he said that even after three years of the NDA government taking charge, it has not gone away.

&quot;Now we are on absolutely right track. Once we solve the NPAs issue, it will open up also the door to faster credit expansion. If this is done, this problem of twin balance sheet issue (over-leveraged companies and bad-loan-encumbered banks) will get addressed as a the result of this.

&quot;So banks will be better equipped to lend and on the sides of borrowers there will be greater appetite,&quot; Panagariya told PTI.

The banking sector is saddled with NPAs of over Rs 8 trillion (Rs 8 lakh crore), of which Rs 6 trillion is with public sector banks (PSBs).

As part of its strategy to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-cabinet-clears-ordinance-to-help-banks-recover-bad-loans-from-defaulters-15215" target="_blank">rein in the unacceptable level of NPAs</a>, Reserve Bank of India recently identified 12 accounts for Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) proceedings with each of them having over Rs 5,000 crore of outstanding loans, accounting for 25 per cent of total NPAs of banks.

The 12 identified cases account for 25 per cent or about Rs 2 lakh crore of NPAs.

When asked about his view on merger of a weak bank with a strong bank, the outgoing Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog said that consolidation of public sector banks (PSBs) is necessary, also because the pool of talented people who have the specialisation of running the banking business is limited one.

&quot;So if you have 25 PSBs, then you spread it over too many banks and everybody who is an expert says, we do not have good management, and so consolidation will also bring good management to the banks.

&quot;Then need for number of competent people...Would be smaller if number of banks is smaller,&quot; he noted.

The finance ministry has sought help of NITI Aayog and global consultancy firms to examine the possibility of next round of consolidation of PSU banks with an aim to create a few lenders of global size and scale.

NITI Aayog&#39;s report is expected to set the tone for consolidation roadmap.

Five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) became part of SBI on April 1, 2017, catapulting the country&#39;s largest lender to among the top 50 banks in the world.

Panagariya termed the bad loans problem as a 'legacy issue'

Resolution of bad loans in the banking system is on 'right track' and will 'open the door' to rapid credit expansion and growth, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya has said. Terming the non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans problem as a 'legacy issue', he said that even after three years of the NDA government taking charge, it has not gone away. "Now we are on absolutely right track. Once we solve the NPAs issue, it will open up also the door to faster credit expansion. If this is done, this problem of twin balance sheet issue (over-leveraged companies and bad-loan-encumbered banks) will get addressed as a the result of this. "So banks will be better equipped to lend and on the sides of borrowers there will be greater appetite," Panagariya told PTI. The banking sector is saddled with NPAs of over Rs 8 trillion (Rs 8 lakh crore), of which Rs 6 trillion is with public sector banks (PSBs). As part of its strategy to rein in the unacceptable level of NPAs, Reserve Bank of India recently identified 12 accounts for Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) proceedings with each of them having over Rs 5,000 crore of outstanding loans, accounting for 25 per cent of total NPAs of banks. The 12 identified cases account for 25 per cent or about Rs 2 lakh crore of NPAs. When asked about his view on merger of a weak bank with a strong bank, the outgoing Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog said that consolidation of public sector banks (PSBs) is necessary, also because the pool of talented people who have the specialisation of running the banking business is limited one. "So if you have 25 PSBs, then you spread it over too many banks and everybody who is an expert says, we do not have good management, and so consolidation will also bring good management to the banks. "Then need for number of competent people...Would be smaller if number of banks is smaller," he noted. The finance ministry has sought help of NITI Aayog and global consultancy firms to examine the possibility of next round of consolidation of PSU banks with an aim to create a few lenders of global size and scale. NITI Aayog's report is expected to set the tone for consolidation roadmap. Five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB) became part of SBI on April 1, 2017, catapulting the country's largest lender to among the top 50 banks in the world.

Resolution of bad loans in banking system on 'right track': Arvind Panagariya

The Indian government announced the appointment of economist Rajiv Kumar as the new vice chairman of NITI Aayog late Saturday.

He will take over from Arvind Panagariya, who is returning to Columbia University at the end of the month.

Kumar, who holds a DPhil in economics from Oxford and a PhD from Lucknow University, is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR).&nbsp;

Vinod Paul, a professor of paediatrics at AIIMS, has also been appointed member of NITI Aayog, PTI reported.

The appointment for the post of NITI Aayog vice chairman was necessitated as the incumbent Panagariya on August 1 had announced that he will leave the government think tank on August 31 and return to Columbia University.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Kumar, who holds a DPhil in economics from Oxford and a PhD from Lucknow University, is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR)

The Indian government announced the appointment of economist Rajiv Kumar as the new vice chairman of NITI Aayog late Saturday. He will take over from Arvind Panagariya, who is returning to Columbia University at the end of the month. Kumar, who holds a DPhil in economics from Oxford and a PhD from Lucknow University, is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR). Vinod Paul, a professor of paediatrics at AIIMS, has also been appointed member of NITI Aayog, PTI reported. The appointment for the post of NITI Aayog vice chairman was necessitated as the incumbent Panagariya on August 1 had announced that he will leave the government think tank on August 31 and return to Columbia University. (With inputs from PTI)

Economist Rajiv Kumar is new NITI Aayog vice chairman

Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya resigned today.&nbsp;

Panagariya who was a professor of economics at Columbia University&nbsp;said he will&nbsp;return to academia after August 31, which will be his last day in office.

A PhD in economics from Princeton, Panagariya has served in several international institutions namely the World Bank, IMF, WTO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Talking to reporters later, Panagariya said the university was not giving him further extension and he would be leaving Niti Aayog on August 31.

He said that about two months ago he had expressed his desire to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be relieved by August 31. Reports said PM Modi had accepted his resignation.

&quot;If I were at 40, then I would have got job anywhere... the kind of job I have at Columbia is almost impossible to get at this age,&quot; he said.

Among other achievements, he said, the Niti Aayog has been able to push privatisation, especially of sick units and Air India, prepare the ground for reforms in several sectors including medical and higher education, and develop a good working relationship with the states.

&nbsp;

Arvind Panagariya was instrumental in the smooth rollout of the GST last month

Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya resigned today. Panagariya who was a professor of economics at Columbia University said he will return to academia after August 31, which will be his last day in office. A PhD in economics from Princeton, Panagariya has served in several international institutions namely the World Bank, IMF, WTO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Talking to reporters later, Panagariya said the university was not giving him further extension and he would be leaving Niti Aayog on August 31. He said that about two months ago he had expressed his desire to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be relieved by August 31. Reports said PM Modi had accepted his resignation. "If I were at 40, then I would have got job anywhere... the kind of job I have at Columbia is almost impossible to get at this age," he said. Among other achievements, he said, the Niti Aayog has been able to push privatisation, especially of sick units and Air India, prepare the ground for reforms in several sectors including medical and higher education, and develop a good working relationship with the states.

Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya quits

India&#39;s ambitious plan to push electric vehicles at the expense of other technologies could benefit Chinese car makers seeking to enter the market, but is worrying established automakers in the country who have so far focused on making hybrid models.

India&#39;s most influential government think-tank unveiled a policy blueprint this month aimed at electrifying all vehicles in the country by 2032, in a move that is catching the attention of car makers that are already investing in electric technology in China such as BYD and SAIC.

The May 12 report by Niti Aayog, the planning body headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommends lower taxes and loan interest rates on electric vehicles while capping sales of petrol and diesel cars, seen as a radical shift in policy.

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India also plans to impose higher taxes on hybrid vehicles compared with electric, under a new unified tax regime set to come into effect from July 1, upsetting car makers like Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Motor.

The prospect of India aggressively promoting electric vehicles was a &quot;big opportunity&quot;, a source close to SAIC, China&#39;s biggest automaker, told Reuters.

&quot;For a newcomer, this is a good chance to establish a modern, innovative brand image,&quot; the source said, although they added the company would need more clarity on policy before deciding whether to launch electric vehicles in India.

Earlier this year SAIC set up a local unit called MG Motor which is finalising plans to buy a car manufacturing plant in western India. A spokesman at SAIC did not comment specifically on the company&#39;s India plans.

Warren Buffett-backed BYD already builds electric buses in the country, while rival Chongqing Changan has said it may enter India by 2020.

BYD said in a statement the company would have &quot;a lot more confidence&quot; to engage in the Indian market if the government supported the proposed policy. The company said it would look at increasing its investment in India but did not give details on how it would expand its business and market share.

HIGH COSTS

While the Niti Aayog report has not yet been formally adopted, government sources have said it was likely to form the basis of a new green cars policy.

If so, India would be following similar moves by China, which has been aggressively pushing clean vehicle technologies. But emulating China&#39;s success could be tough.

Electric vehicles are expensive due to high battery costs, and car makers say a lack of charging stations in India could make the whole proposition unviable.

The proposed policy focuses on electric vehicles, and is likely to also include plug-in hybrids. But it overlooks conventional hybrid models already sold in India, such as Toyota&#39;s Camry sedan, Honda Motor&#39;s Accord sedan and so-called mild hybrids built by Maruti Suzuki.

Hybrids combine fossil fuel and electric power, with mild hybrids making less use of the latter.

In doubling down on electric power India would be shifting away from its previous policy, announced in 2015, that supported hybrid and electric technology.

That could delay investments in India, expected to be the world&#39;s third-largest passenger car market within the next decade, according to industry executives and analysts.

&quot;All these policy changes will affect future products and investments,&quot; said Puneet Gupta, South Asia manager at consultant IHS Markit, adding that most car makers would need to rethink product launches, especially of hybrids.

ECONOMIC GAP

Mahindra &amp; Mahindra is the only electric car maker in India but has struggled to ramp up sales, blaming low buyer interest and insufficient infrastructure.

Pawan Goenka, managing director at Mahindra said the company was working with the government and other private players to set up charging stations in India. Mahindra was also focusing on developing electric fleet cars and taxis, Goenka said.

The cost of setting up a car charging station in India ranges from $500 to $25,000, depending on the charging speed, according to a 2016 report by online journal IOPscience.

While the proposed policy suggests setting up battery swapping stations and using tax revenues from sales of petrol and diesel vehicles to set up charging stations, it does not specify the investment needed or whether the government would contribute.

&quot;For full electric vehicles, the economic gap remains huge and the charging infrastructure needed does not exist,&quot; said a spokesman at Tata Motors. The company makes electric buses and is working on developing electric and hybrid cars.

DELAYED PLANS

Most automakers have focused on bringing in hybrid models that are seen as a stepping stone to electrification. Toyota recently launched its luxury hybrid brand Prius in India, while Hyundai Motor plans to debut its Ioniq hybrid sedan next year.

Maruti&#39;s parent Suzuki Motor, along with Toshiba and Denso, plans to invest 20 billion yen ($180 million) to set up a lithium ion battery plant in India which would support Maruti&#39;s plan to build more hybrids.

But the apparent sharp shift in policymakers&#39; thinking in favour of electrification is forcing automakers like Toyota and Nissan Motor to seek more clarity before finalising future products for India, while Hyundai may delay new launches.

Toyota, the world&#39;s No. 2 carmaker by sales, had planned to have a hybrid variant for all its vehicles in India, but the company&#39;s future launches would now depend on the new policy, said Shekar Viswanathan, vice chairman of its Indian subsidiary.

Nissan, which plans to launch a hybrid SUV later this year, said in a statement it was waiting for more clarity before deciding whether to bring electric cars to India.

A plan by Hyundai to launch at least three hybrid cars in India in 2019-2020 would likely to be delayed, said a source.

Hyundai did not comment on queries related to delays.

&quot;If the government will be aggressive on electric vehicles and not support other technologies, companies will need to rethink investments,&quot; said an executive with an Asian carmaker.

(Reuters)

The Niti Aayog unveiled a policy blueprint this month aimed at electrifying all vehicles in the country by 2032

India's ambitious plan to push electric vehicles at the expense of other technologies could benefit Chinese car makers seeking to enter the market, but is worrying established automakers in the country who have so far focused on making hybrid models. India's most influential government think-tank unveiled a policy blueprint this month aimed at electrifying all vehicles in the country by 2032, in a move that is catching the attention of car makers that are already investing in electric technology in China such as BYD and SAIC. The May 12 report by Niti Aayog, the planning body headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recommends lower taxes and loan interest rates on electric vehicles while capping sales of petrol and diesel cars, seen as a radical shift in policy. While the Niti Aayog report has not yet been formally adopted, government sources have said it was likely to form the basis of a new green cars policy × India also plans to impose higher taxes on hybrid vehicles compared with electric, under a new unified tax regime set to come into effect from July 1, upsetting car makers like Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Motor. The prospect of India aggressively promoting electric vehicles was a "big opportunity", a source close to SAIC, China's biggest automaker, told Reuters. "For a newcomer, this is a good chance to establish a modern, innovative brand image," the source said, although they added the company would need more clarity on policy before deciding whether to launch electric vehicles in India. Earlier this year SAIC set up a local unit called MG Motor which is finalising plans to buy a car manufacturing plant in western India. A spokesman at SAIC did not comment specifically on the company's India plans. Warren Buffett-backed BYD already builds electric buses in the country, while rival Chongqing Changan has said it may enter India by 2020. BYD said in a statement the company would have "a lot more confidence" to engage in the Indian market if the government supported the proposed policy. The company said it would look at increasing its investment in India but did not give details on how it would expand its business and market share. HIGH COSTS While the Niti Aayog report has not yet been formally adopted, government sources have said it was likely to form the basis of a new green cars policy. If so, India would be following similar moves by China, which has been aggressively pushing clean vehicle technologies. But emulating China's success could be tough. Electric vehicles are expensive due to high battery costs, and car makers say a lack of charging stations in India could make the whole proposition unviable. The proposed policy focuses on electric vehicles, and is likely to also include plug-in hybrids. But it overlooks conventional hybrid models already sold in India, such as Toyota's Camry sedan, Honda Motor's Accord sedan and so-called mild hybrids built by Maruti Suzuki. Hybrids combine fossil fuel and electric power, with mild hybrids making less use of the latter. In doubling down on electric power India would be shifting away from its previous policy, announced in 2015, that supported hybrid and electric technology. That could delay investments in India, expected to be the world's third-largest passenger car market within the next decade, according to industry executives and analysts. "All these policy changes will affect future products and investments," said Puneet Gupta, South Asia manager at consultant IHS Markit, adding that most car makers would need to rethink product launches, especially of hybrids. ECONOMIC GAP Mahindra & Mahindra is the only electric car maker in India but has struggled to ramp up sales, blaming low buyer interest and insufficient infrastructure. Pawan Goenka, managing director at Mahindra said the company was working with the government and other private players to set up charging stations in India. Mahindra was also focusing on developing electric fleet cars and taxis, Goenka said. The cost of setting up a car charging station in India ranges from $500 to $25,000, depending on the charging speed, according to a 2016 report by online journal IOPscience. While the proposed policy suggests setting up battery swapping stations and using tax revenues from sales of petrol and diesel vehicles to set up charging stations, it does not specify the investment needed or whether the government would contribute. "For full electric vehicles, the economic gap remains huge and the charging infrastructure needed does not exist," said a spokesman at Tata Motors. The company makes electric buses and is working on developing electric and hybrid cars. DELAYED PLANS Most automakers have focused on bringing in hybrid models that are seen as a stepping stone to electrification. Toyota recently launched its luxury hybrid brand Prius in India, while Hyundai Motor plans to debut its Ioniq hybrid sedan next year. Maruti's parent Suzuki Motor, along with Toshiba and Denso, plans to invest 20 billion yen ($180 million) to set up a lithium ion battery plant in India which would support Maruti's plan to build more hybrids. But the apparent sharp shift in policymakers' thinking in favour of electrification is forcing automakers like Toyota and Nissan Motor to seek more clarity before finalising future products for India, while Hyundai may delay new launches. Toyota, the world's No. 2 carmaker by sales, had planned to have a hybrid variant for all its vehicles in India, but the company's future launches would now depend on the new policy, said Shekar Viswanathan, vice chairman of its Indian subsidiary. Nissan, which plans to launch a hybrid SUV later this year, said in a statement it was waiting for more clarity before deciding whether to bring electric cars to India. A plan by Hyundai to launch at least three hybrid cars in India in 2019-2020 would likely to be delayed, said a source. Hyundai did not comment on queries related to delays. "If the government will be aggressive on electric vehicles and not support other technologies, companies will need to rethink investments," said an executive with an Asian carmaker. (Reuters)

India's electric car push likely to benefit Chinese manufacturers

The Indian government&#39;s think tank Niti Aayog will soon set up an expert panel to arrive at a new poverty line, according to an official.

&quot;We have said that we needed an expert committee to look at poverty line as most states are not much in sync with each other... We have not formed an expert committee yet but soon we will set up an expert committee to look at poverty line,&quot; said a senior government official.

Pursuant to the decision taken at the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 8, 2015, a Task Force on Elimination of&nbsp;Poverty in India was constituted by NITI Aayog on March 16, 2015 under the chairmanship of Arvind Panagariya, vice chairman, NITI Aayog.

The report of the Task Force was submitted to the Prime Minister on July 11, 2016.

It recommended setting up of an expert committee to arrive at an informed decision on the level at which the poverty line should be set because &#39;a consensus in favour of either the Tendulkar or a higher poverty line&#39; did not emerge.

The current poverty estimates are based on the methodology recommended by the Expert Group under the chairmanship of Suresh D Tendulkar in 2009.

According the Tendulkar committee methodology, those whose daily consumption of goods and services exceeds Rs&nbsp;33.33&nbsp;(0.49 US Dollar)&nbsp;in cities and Rs 27.20&nbsp;(0.4 US Dollar) in villages are not poor.

As per these numbers, only 22 per cent of the people can be classified as poor in the country.

(PTI)

The expert committee that will be formed will look at arriving at a new poverty line

The Indian government's think tank Niti Aayog will soon set up an expert panel to arrive at a new poverty line, according to an official. "We have said that we needed an expert committee to look at poverty line as most states are not much in sync with each other... We have not formed an expert committee yet but soon we will set up an expert committee to look at poverty line," said a senior government official. Pursuant to the decision taken at the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 8, 2015, a Task Force on Elimination of Poverty in India was constituted by NITI Aayog on March 16, 2015 under the chairmanship of Arvind Panagariya, vice chairman, NITI Aayog. The report of the Task Force was submitted to the Prime Minister on July 11, 2016. It recommended setting up of an expert committee to arrive at an informed decision on the level at which the poverty line should be set because 'a consensus in favour of either the Tendulkar or a higher poverty line' did not emerge. The current poverty estimates are based on the methodology recommended by the Expert Group under the chairmanship of Suresh D Tendulkar in 2009. According the Tendulkar committee methodology, those whose daily consumption of goods and services exceeds Rs 33.33 (0.49 US Dollar) in cities and Rs 27.20 (0.4 US Dollar) in villages are not poor. As per these numbers, only 22 per cent of the people can be classified as poor in the country. (PTI)

Indian govt think-tank NITI Aayog to set up panel on poverty line

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