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The Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have noted that despite the Italian economy's elements of strength such as high private savings, low private indebtedness, and a comparatively resilient financial system, the global crisis had a severe impact on it. Directors commended the authorities for their supportive response to the crisis. Fiscal policy was appropriately tight and timely measures were taken to support the financial sector. The economy is set for a gradual recovery but key weaknesses, including high public debt and low income growth, remain. The overarching policy goals now should be to maintain fiscal discipline, reduce the burden of public debt, and raise the economy's long-term growth rate.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Norbert Toé visited Windhoek during May 12-26 for the annual Article IV Consultation with Namibia. The mission's work focused on reviewing recent economic and financial developments and policies needed to restore fiscal sustainability in the aftermath of the global economic downturn. Policies to preserve macroeconomic and financial stability and to broaden economic growth were also discussed.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has welcomed the broadly satisfactory implementation of the Senegalese authorities' economic program supported under the PSI and the Exogenous Shocks Facility. However, a difficult external environment and domestic shocks, including in the energy sector, had slowed down the growth momentum. Directors noted that signs of a recovery have become visible and emphasized that prudent domestic macroeconomic policies and an accelerated implementation of structural reforms would help to strengthen growth further and reduce poverty.

New Delhi: The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has released Report No.534 titled 'Some Characteristics of Urban Slums, 2008-09' based on the survey of urban slums conducted in its 65th round. The field work of the nationwide survey was carried out during July 2008 to June 2009. This report is based on the data collected from 365 notified and 365 non-notified slums found in 4738 surveyed urban blocks.

New Delhi: The DRDO chief Dr VK Saraswat has said that self-reliance in critical defence technologies cannot be achieved by the premier defence R&D organization alone. In a terse statement at an award ceremony here today, he called upon the three Services to overcome their temptation to induct the latest weaponry from abroad.

New Delhi: The Price Stabilisation Fund Trust, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has announced the Price Spectrum Band for the year 2009 for Rubber, Coffee and Tea. On the basis of Price Spectrum Band 2009, 18,915 Rubber growers would receive financial assistance of Rs.95 lakh from the PSF Trust during 2010-11.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today approved the extension of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs). The scheme will be optional for retired ex-servicemen NDG Pensioners. Only NDG ex-servicemen pensioner (paid from Defence Estimates) are eligible for ECHS membership.

New Delhi: Various steps are being taken by the Government, both Centre and States, to preserve and promote languages, folk dances and art and culture of various tribal communities across the country including Gujarat. These include conducting training programmes for language development and publishing dictionaries, handbooks, school and literacy primers.

New Delhi: To provide equitable treatment to all eligible Ex-Servicemen and their dependents under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and to enhance the scheme's coverage, the Union Cabinet today approved Establishment of 199 new polyclinics including 17 mobile medical facilities and 15 new regional centres at a cost of Rs. 141 crores. With this, the ECHS facility will now be extended to those areas, where Ex-Servicemen population is below 2,500 by setting up polyclinics which are within reasonable distance from Ex-Servicemen concentrations.

New Delhi: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Navratna PSU and the Central Transmission Utility of the Country, has reported a net profit of Rs.2041 Crore for the financial year 2009-10, a 21% rise as compared to the previous year's profit of Rs.1691 Crore. The turnover of the Company rose to Rs.7,504 Crore from Rs.6,139 Crore, up by 22%.