ADB to provide USD 181 min loan to improve livability, mobility in Ahmedabad
New Delhi, Mar 13 (PTI) Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a loan of USD 181 million to build infrastructure and services towards improving Urban livability and mobility in peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad city. The loan agreement was signed between the Government of India and ADB here on Wednesday. The project will benefit Urban poor, […] Key Points
ThePrintFrom beverages, packed food to medicines: How India’s spending patterns stack up
Food’s share in total household spending is now less than half in rural areas for the first time, official survey data showed. On average, a rural person spent ₹3,773 per month, compared to ₹6,459 per month in Urban areas. Key Points
mintRural-urban household spending gap narrows
The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 in India reveals that the gap between Urban and rural household consumption has significantly narrowed. The survey will impact the calculation of inflation, poverty, and consumer price index series. Key Points
Economic TimesRural-urban wage gap narrows in manufacturing; greater mobility, MNREGA factors
Greater mobility, higher payouts under NREGS, and lower Urban wage elasticity are bringing parity between Urban and rural manufacturing units. The gap between rural and Urban wage growth has widened post-pandemic. The relative stickiness of Urban wages with regard to profits may be a factor in the narrowing of the gap. Key Points
Economic TimesUrban renewal push in Budget: SHGs may be covered under PM-SVANidhi Micro credit facility for street vendo
The BJP government aims to give Urban renewal a boost in the Interim Budget, focusing on schemes that directly impact the well-being and ease of living for the common man. They plan to extend the Prime Minister Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) scheme to include self-help groups, providing them with microcredit in three tranches. Additionally, the government is expected to announce the National Urban Development Mission, which will introduce technological innovations in municipal services and infrastructure across 4,500 Urban local bodies. The interim budget may also include the CITIIS 2.0 program for circular economy projects and climate action support. Key Points
Economic Times
View: India urbanisation critical for getting developed tag
Building the necessary infrastructure will be key for creating livable, climate-resilient, and inclusive cities that drive the economy forward. Since nearly 70 % of the Urban infrastructure needed by 2047 is yet to be built, sizeable investments will be required. By 2036, India will need to invest $840 billion in infrastructure - an average of $55 billion or 1.2 % of GDP per annum. However, estimates suggest that between 2011 and 2018, the country's total capital expenditure on Urban infrastructure averaged only 0.6 % of GDP, half the required quantum of investment. Key Points
Economic TimesColgate-Palmolive India posts Q3 profit jump on lower expenses, Urban demand
BENGALURU (Reuters) - Colgate-Palmolive (India) reported a 35.7% jump in third-quarter profit on Monday, aided by healthy Urban demand and a fall in expenses. Net profit rose to 3.30 billion rupees ( Key Points
ThePrintHow govt’s 'Centres of Excellence' plan to take on Urban planning issues using AI, even ancient texts
Union housing ministry has finalised 4 institutions to be developed as Centres of Excellence in Urban planning, it is learnt. This is in line with govt's 2022-23 Budget announcement. Key Points
ThePrintGovt may consider 2nd phase of Urban Livelihoods Mission
The Union Cabinet is set to consider a proposal for the second version of the Urban livelihoods mission, which aims to provide skill development and credit facilities to the Urban poor, according to officials. The revamped Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) has already received approval from the Expenditure Finance Commission. The new version of the mission will build upon the lessons learned from the previous version, with a particular focus on addressing the differences between rural and Urban areas Key Points
Economic TimesIndia undertaking largest planned urbanisation programme in world: Minister Puri
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Thursday that India is currently undertaking the largest planned urbanization program globally. Speaking at the launch of CITIIS 2.0 (City Investments To Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain challenge), the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister highlighted that total investments in Urban development since 2014 have surged tenfold, surpassing Rs 18 lakh crore in comparison to the preceding 10-year period. Key Points
Economic Times
Improve infra, make cities more 'liveable' — Modi govt plans new programme for Urban local bodies
Modelled on existing block & district programmes, policy aimed at improving governance in 4,000 plus ‘statutory towns’. Experts welcome it but ask for ‘proactive role’ from state govts. Key Points
ThePrintNew York Needs to Get Spongier—or Get Used to More Floods
Devastating deluges around the world point to the metropolis of tomorrow: the “sponge city.” Think more parks and fewer parking lots. Key Points
WIREDADB approves USD 181 million loan to enhance Urban infrastructure in Ahmedabad's Peri-urban areas
ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist Sanjay Joshi, said, Ahmedabad and surrounding areas are rapidly growing as an industrial centre, contributing to Gujarat's economic development. This project envisions the future of the areas surrounding Ahmedabad city to help control Urban sprawl, a planning approach that can be replicated in other states. Key Points
Economic TimesNew York Needs to Get Spongier—or Get Used to More Floods
Devastating deluges around the world point to the metropolis of tomorrow: the “sponge city.” Think more parks and fewer parking lots. Key Points
WIREDWhy Some Animals Thrive in Cities
Why does some wildlife thrive in the city? Figuring this out is the first step to boosting Urban biodiversity. And that's good for everyone. Key Points
WIRED
Urban planning needs shift from regulation to facilitation: Hardeep Puri
Indian Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Puri, has delivered a speech outlining nine key ideas for the future of Urban governance and planning in India. The proposals include a shift from regulation to facilitation, the adoption of flexible and innovative approaches, citizen-focused Urban policies, and the fostering of the innovation, data and technology skills of local government agencies. Puri also advocated for greater citizen engagement, strengthening of local governance, and the use of hybrid governance models to close capacity gaps. Key Points
Economic TimesSmart Cities, Smarter Future: AI startups and Urban innovation
Cities face an array of challenges as mankind becomes more urbanised. From traffic jams and the use of energy as well as waste management and safeguarding the public, there hasn’t ever been a more pressing need for innovative approaches. Artificial intelligence (AI) entities have come out as significant respondents in pushing Urban innovation and laying paths […] Key Points
FinancialexpressWho will finance the mega cities of the future?
Recently, G20’s infrastructure working group concluded its meeting in Visakhapatnam. The focus was on Urban infrastructure financing. Mint explains why the financing of future cities is a pressing need and the options available Key Points
mintReport assessing India's Urban sprawl links slums to 'low floor space ratio' limits allowed for buildings
The India Infrastructure Report 2023, released by former vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu, calls for radical reforms in Urban planning and development to address the issue of slums and sprawl. Key Points
ThePrintHere are 5 key takeaways from Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-2023 highlights
Other key findings include spending on food falls in expenditure of rural households in 11 years. Report made after survey of 2.76 lakh-plus households across country. Key Points
ThePrint
Budget 2024: If not you, your domestic help may be happy with the budget
Interim Budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the interim budget on February 1. There are hopes and expectations from various segments of the population regarding the budget. Some believe that Sitharaman might deliver a populist budget due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, while others think the government is not under pressure to please different voting segments. Another argument is that the budget might provide benefits to the bottom rungs of the economy, including rural and Urban poor. The budget could also extend social security benefits to domestic workers as part of the proposed Social Security Code. Key Points
Economic TimesThe ghosts haunting China’s cities
The long read: In the official telling, fears of malevolent spirits are a vestige of old, unenlightened village ways. But today Urban China is rife with superstition about death. Why? Key Points
the GuardianBRICS Urbanisation Forum to be held in South Africa next week
The first in-person follow-up to the BRICS Urbanisation Forum will take place in Durban on July 26. The event brings together ministry delegates, policy makers and other stakeholders to discuss building sustainable Urban economies, livelihood survival strategies in Urban environments and smart technologies to enhance resilience and liveability. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia’s poverty rate declined to 4.5-5% in 2022-23: SBI Research
India's poverty rate declined to 4.5-5% in 2022-23, with rural poverty declining to 7.2% and Urban poverty down to 4.6%. This decline is attributed to government programmes targeted at those at the bottom of the pyramid. Spending inequality is shrinking due to enhanced infrastructure and increased discretionary spending. The new weights in HCES data are likely to lower inflation numbers. Key Points
Economic TimesLoans to own directors, families — why Gujarat’s cooperative banks are increasingly under RBI scanner
Urban cooperative banks account for bulk of fines by RBI. A significant share of these are for loans given to related parties — the overwhelming majority by institutions in Gujarat. Key Points
ThePrint
ET Explains: Is unemployment in India rising or falling?
The government in India relies on a survey called the Periodic Labour Force Survey to calculate the unemployment rate or the ratio of persons unemployed in the labour force. The labour force is determined based on the participation rate or number of people aged 15 years and above willing to work or already working in the country. The exercise is conducted for both Urban and rural areas. Key Points
Economic TimesADB approves USD 200 million boost to enhance water supply and sanitation in Uttarakhand
New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has greenlit an additional financing injection of USD 200 million for the Uttarakhand Integrated and Resilient Urban Development Project. According to ADB, the move aims to extend access to reliable water supply and upgrade sanitation facilities in Uttarakhand, India. Show Full Article ADB Principal […] Key Points
ThePrint‘Agri resilience to weather shocks better’
We know that after covid, non-agriculture growth is very high. Then obviously because of that higher growth, you will see higher impact on consumption in Urban area than in the rural area. Key Points
mintUttar Pradesh civic polls: Rural voters show more enthusiasm than Urban electors in Ayodhya
The state election commission reported 52.60% polling in the entire Ayodhya district, comprising both Urban and rural areas. Key Points
Hindustan TimesAnnounced in Feb, rolled out in July, less than 5% of govt’s Rs 10,000-cr Urban infra fund spent so far
Urban Infrastructure Development Fund aims to help bridge gap in essential services in Tier-2 & 3 cities. Till Dec 1st week, 'project proposals worth roughly Rs 650 cr' submitted for 2023-24. Key Points
ThePrint
Pidilite expects better margin and volume-driven growth in FY24, says MD Bharat Puri
Bharat Puri told PTI, "From a margin perspective, FY24 will definitely be better than FY23, barring any black swan events or something new happening in the world." Pidilite, which owns adhesives brands such as Fevicol, FeviKwik, M-Seal and Dr Fixit, has already consumed the raw material which was earlier sourced at higher prices. Key Points
FinancialexpressIndia’s unemployment rate climbs to four-month high in April
The nationwide joblessness rate rose to 8.11% in April from 7.8% in March, the highest since December. Urban unemployment climbed to 9.81% from 8.51% in the same period while in the rural areas, it fell marginally to 7.34% in April from 7.47% a month ago. Key Points
Financialexpress1st tender for 3,000 e-buses under PM-eBus Sewa scheme likely to be issued next week
Housing & Urban affairs ministry has received proposals from 5 states for buses. Scheme aims to provide financial support of Rs 20,000 cr for e-buses in cities with poor public transport. Key Points
ThePrintUrban Enviro Waste Management IPO: Issue fully booked on Day 1 on huge retail demand; check details
Urban Enviro Waste Management's initial public offering (IPO) was subscribed 3.86 times on Day 1, with bids received for 41,84,400 shares against 1,142,400 shares on offer. The price band for the offering is set at ₹100 per share. Key Points
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