INSURANCE REFORMS
India starts preparing for a China-like population problem
Falling fertility rates have left India staring at the spectre of looming demographic challenges that have caused big problems for other Asian powerhouses such as China and Japan. The government is now beginning to plan for an aging India which could be a reality within a decade or two.
Expectation is that reforms will continue, but it may not be as simple as that: Ketan Dalal
"Let’s take a look at some key areas where reforms are needed, but could be impacted; a crucial area of reforms is that of land reforms, given the need to promote India as a manufacturing hub and to leverage the China + 1 opportunity."
What is expected from the GST Council meeting today?
The GST council may delay the inclusion of petroleum products under GST and the much-awaited rate rationalization. Discussions may also focus on reducing GST on insurance products.
Waiver, other tax reforms top GST Council's docket
The GST Council is set to discuss various measures at its upcoming meeting on June 22 to pave the way for broader tax reforms in the new government's first full budget. These measures include considering a conditional waiver of interest or penalty on tax notices issued between 2017 and 2020, with exceptions for wilful defaulters. The budget announcement is expected in July.
SOPs for faster sanction of loans, insurance in works
The Centre is collaborating with financial institutions to create a common application form and SOPs for faster sanction of financial services like loan disbursals and insurance under key schemes.
ETMarkets Smart Talk: Agri, consumer durable & insurance could be dark horse of FY25: Kush Gupta
Elections in the past have always led to sharp movements pre and post-event, but history has shown that the markets finally stabilize one to six months post-event.
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Capacity boost for EPFO, ESIC to pave way for labour reforms
The Social Security Code, 2020, passed by Parliament in 2020, entails extending social security to gig and platform workers. Some of the changes envisioned for retirement fund body EPFO in the short, medium, and long term include restructuring of its offices, business process re-engineering, and leveraging IT for automatic settlement of claims and cadre restructuring.
Life insurers to mandatorily provide loan facility against policies: Irdai
Issuing a master circular which consolidates all regulations with regards to life insurance policies, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) also said the free look period, which provides time to review the policy terms and conditions, is 30 days as against 15 days earlier.
General insurance companies can't reject claims for want of documents: Irdai
Irdai stated that general insurance companies cannot reject claims for lack of documents, introducing reforms in the business with a new master circular, repealing 13 others.
Sitharaman's budget next month to lay out economic roadmap of Modi 3.0
The economic agenda would include steps to fast-rack reforms to make India a USD 5-trillion economy in near future and turn the country into a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
AMCs, insurance stocks offering good money-making proposition: Deven Choksey
I believe that the market is going to remain positive. Investors are going to be remaining confident. Maybe these numbers are going to be forgotten after a couple of days once the ministries and the governments are formed.
Past reforms will continue to drive economy over next 2 years: Neelkanth Mishra
In fact, with the RBI dividend being significantly better than what was budgeted, I would not be surprised if in the July budget, the government chooses to bring down its FY25 fiscal deficit target from 5.1% to 4.9% because that money is there.
Consumer stocks have edge over capex-linked ones after shock poll verdict
Indian consumer-focussed companies are likely to shine, while capital spending-linked firms could suffer as the government shifts its policy focus to support lower-income segments, fund managers and analysts said on Wednesday, a day after a surprise result in the national elections.
What’s fueling the shift in Indian investor behaviour?
India added $1 trillion to the stock market in less than six months, reaching a $5 trillion market cap. Retail investors, with a surge in Demat accounts, play a key role in enhancing market stability and resilience.
Insurers worried over surrender value rule
Life insurance companies have expressed concerns over proposed regulatory changes that would offer higher surrender values to policyholders the first year itself. Industry representatives have sent their feedback saying that these reforms could severely impact profitability and policy persistence.
Health insurance claim rule change: Cashless claims must be cleared in 3 hours; insurer to pay hospital charges for delay in discharge, says IRDAI
Health insurance: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has released a master circular to streamline health insurance claim process. Previously, delays in claim approvals forced patients to stay in hospitals longer. Now, insurers have three hours to approve cashless discharge requests. Additionally, insurers will be liable for extra hospital charges due to delays.
Rishi Sunak's summer election brings hope to Britain's bruised financial sector
Executives in London's financial hub are cautiously optimistic about the upcoming UK elections on July 4, hoping for a government that prioritizes stability and supports the finance sector. Despite the likelihood of a Labour Party victory, which would mark a significant political shift, business leaders are relatively calm. Boris Johnson's past dismissals of financial concerns, particularly regarding Brexit, strained relations with the City, but recent efforts to mend ties have been noted.
'Have delivered on 2019 promise of putting corrupt behind bars, our govt leveraged technology to tackle corruption': PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently vying for a third consecutive term, reaffirms his 2019 pledge to incarcerate corrupt individuals, asserting that he has fulfilled this promise. In an extensive discussion with ET, PM Modi addressed various topics. He reiterates the government's dedication to ensuring that the benefits of progress extend to all individuals in need, irrespective of their caste, creed, or geographical location.
India’s bond index entry not enough to lift rating, Moody’s says
Moody's Ratings credit officer highlights India's need for structural reforms to enhance fiscal metrics despite global bond index inclusion. JPMorgan, Bloomberg, and FTSE Russell to include India in indexes, projecting substantial inflows into the debt market.
IMF asks Pakistan to 'impose' tax on monthly pensions, says 'new bailout programme' will require reforms
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has requested Pakistan to impose a tax on monthly pensions exceeding Rs 100,000 as part of a new bailout program. The IMF's demand is expected to gain legislative support to tax wealthy pensioners. Pakistan remains committed to the IMF loan program and must exercise fiscal discipline to qualify. The IMF also demanded an increase in general sales tax (GST) to 18% on commodities and services, and the end of GST exemption.
Expect good response on EV policy, FDI reforms in new govt; prepare for low tariff regime: DPIIT Secretary
India anticipates a positive response from numerous automobile companies to its electric vehicle (EV) policy, according to Rajesh Kumar Singh, DPIIT secretary. He noted that the government has adjusted tariffs to attract manufacturers without direct spending. Additionally, he stated that India might further liberalize FDI norms in select areas under the new government.
Downsides of coalition govt are as exaggerated as virtues of single-party rule
Most people equate a government by a single party that enjoys a majority in Parliament with political stability, efficient decision-making and living happily ever after. In this view, coalitions carry the risk of instability, erratic policy and economic woes. India's own recent history shows that such views are unfounded.
Non-life insurance companies post 13% rise in premium collection at Rs 2.89 lakh cr in FY24
In the fiscal year 2023-24, 42 general insurance companies collectively earned a premium income of Rs 2,89,738 crore, marking a 13% increase from the previous year's Rs 2,56,894 crore, as reported by the General Insurance Council. Among these, 35 general insurance firms saw a 14% rise in premium income to Rs 2,45,433 crore from Rs 2,14,833 crore in the preceding year. Additionally, five standalone health insurers witnessed a 26% growth in premium income, reaching Rs 33,116 crore compared to Rs 26,244 crore in the previous year.
FDI reform 2.0: Banking, defence, insurance reforms on table
Officials said that although the bulk of the heavy lifting in terms of FDI reforms has been completed, talks are ongoing to see if conditions for these key sectors can be further eased. Any changes will be made after the elections that end on June 1.
View: Market fix for inequality
The real danger with the equality messiahs is their favoured policy prescription, namely tax. Applying Western narratives on taxing the rich more on their incomes and wealth is counterproductive in India.
Tap and nurture our silver economy
India's demographic trends include rising population growth and a growing aging population. The value of India's silver economy is approximately $7 billion which highlights the elderly as a unique consumer demographic. By cultivating this market through specialized products and services, new avenues for seniors to lead fulfilling lives will emerge, consequently driving economic expansion.
NITI Aayog calls for financial and legal reforms for elderly care in India
The move is aimed at ensuring that a basic support system is put in place to cater to the needs of India’s ageing population which is expected to go up from 10% now to 19.5% by 2050. It is of the view that while catering to the needs of the elderly population of this size is challenging, it also presents an opportunity for the growth of the senior care industry, which is presently estimated at Rs 57,881 crore
Elderly mobster steals Judy Garland's iconic red slippers from 'Oz' as a last hurrah to his profession
The FBI recovered the shoes in 2018 when someone else tried to claim an insurance reward on them, but Martin wasn't charged with stealing them until last year.
India's space industry seeks bold reforms, clarity on FDI
India's private space industry is seeking transformative reforms to boost its growth. The industry is embracing the government's decision to allocate satellite-based spectrum, enabling space-based broadband internet access in remote areas. Industry bodies, the Indian Space Association (ISpA) and Satcom Industry Association (SIA-India), have requested the government to bring the Space Activity Bill for Parliament approval to cover various factors of India's space goals.
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