The Hindu Business Line : Tuesday, March 04, 2008

FARM CREDIT
`Exceptional circumstances called for alleviating measures'
The last Budget of the UPA Government and the seventh full-fledged Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, for the next fiscal undeniably evoked bouquets and brickbats. It seemed an apt Budget for For a government in ... More

Rural co-op banks despair of recovery
Farm loan waiver to hit fresh disbursals too More

CLIMATE & WEATHER
Heat in North above normal
Scattered rain/thundershowers likely over south in next 3-4 days More

AQUACULTURE
Victims of pollution
More

INSIGHT
After the debt waiver, what?
Many commentators have hailed the Budget’s debt waiver scheme for farmers as an important measure in ensuring food security as much as a humanitarian gesture. There has been criticism too. Apart from the knee-jerk reaction by Opposition parties , there are calmer voices outlining serious concerns, which should be taken note of, says RASHEEDA BHAGAT. More

BUDGET
Turnover tax likely to push up commodity trading costs
Mumbai, March 3 The imposition of commodity turnover tax and service tax on exchange levy in commodity futures trading is likely push up trading cost to 47 per cent from 22 per cent of their margins. Investors feel the additional burden would ... More

Farm loan waivers: The figures don’t add up
More

About 60 lakh AP farmers to benefit from loan waiver
Andhra Pradesh is going to be the biggest beneficiary of the Rs 60,000-crore waiver of farm loans announced by the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram. The State would account for nearly a fifth of the total amount proposed to be ... More

Exchanges, broking firms to plead against commodity transaction tax
FMC to take up the issue with Ministry of Finance More

‘Time for farmers to achieve higher productivity’
With debt relief provided to the tune of Rs 60,000 crore in the Union Budget, it is now for the farmers to change their mindset and work towards achieving higher productivity, said Mr S.S. Palani Manickam, Union Minister of State for Finance, ... More

RUBBER
Rubber dealers welcome proposals
Mr George Valy, President of the Indian Rubber Dealer’s Federation ( IRDF) welcomed the decision to withdraw the Banking Cash Transaction Tax with effect from April 1, 2009. The IRDF had already represented this to the Finance Minister with ... More

Mixed trend in spot rubber
Kottayam, March 3 The physical rubber prices showed a mixed mood on Monday. RSS 4 improved to Rs 101.50 from Rs 100 a kg both at Kottayam and Kochi as sellers stayed back letting the market to rule firm amidst a better TOCOM closing. The ... More

TEA
Tea sector exploring ways to expand market share
Plans to appoint representatives in Egypt, Iran & Pak More

AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
TN farm varsity signs pact
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has entered into an agreement with the Indian Institute of Energy Management, Chennai for conducting collaborative activities and strengthening research and development programmes on energy ... More

TOBACCO
Tobacco price tops $2 per kg in AP sales
Guntur, March 3 Tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh, or Karnataka for that matter, have never had it so good.The Virginia tobacco produced in Andhra Pradesh for the first time crossed the $-2-per kg-mark on Monday, with an all-time high ... More

SPICES & CONDIMENTS
Cardamom prices drop
Kochi, March 3 Cardamom prices showed a declining trend last week on lack of buying support at auctions held in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The average price was Rs 595 a kg at last Wednesday’s auction conducted by the CPMC, Kumily and ... More

Pepper imports by US decline
Imports of pepper by the US during 2007 have shown a decline probably due to the high prices. Total imports of pepper into the US in 2007 stood at 63,940 tonnes valued at $208.5 million comprising 50,957 tonnes of black, 5,564 tonnes of ... More

Vietnam factor pulls down pepper futures
Kochi, March 3 Pepper futures market on Monday fell sharply on bearish sentiments and reports of decline in Vietnam pepper prices.Vietnam FAQ 500 GL which was ruling at $4,200-4,300 a tonne (f.o.b.) dropped by about $200 to $4,050 a ... More