Business
Cong flags sharp rupee decline in Rajya Sabha, warns of widespread economic strain
New Delhi, Dec 4: During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Congress MP from Madhya Pradesh Vivek Tankha voiced deep concern over what he described as the “freefall of the Indian rupee” and the widening economic distress affecting ordinary citizens across the country.
Calling the issue “extremely topical and urgent”, Tankha said the currency’s sharp decline was inflicting widespread financial strain on households, businesses and key sectors of the economy.
Tankha noted that the rupee had crashed past Rs 90 per US dollar — touching between 90.14 and 90.19 — marking the weakest level in India’s history. Over the past five years, he said, the rupee has lost between 20 per cent and 27 per cent of its value, effectively reducing the purchasing power of people’s income by nearly one fourth. In global terms, the rupee has fallen 5 per cent this year alone, its steepest drop since 2022, making it one of Asia’s worst-performing currencies in 2025.
He further highlighted that India recently recorded a monthly trade deficit exceeding USD 40 billion, underscoring how sharply imports outweigh exports. At the same time, foreign investors have withdrawn more than USD 17 billion from Indian markets this year — the largest outflow in several years — drying up capital and weakening investor sentiment.
“FDI flows are stagnant, external borrowings have slowed, and the world is becoming increasingly wary of India’s external stability,” Tankha warned.
Emphasising the direct impact on citizens, he said that every bout of rupee depreciation makes imports costlier, and India relies heavily on imported fuel, cooking gas, electronic machinery and medicines. A 5 per cent fall in the rupee, he explained, pushes inflation up by 30-35 basis points.
“Every household ends up paying more. Food prices rise, transport costs increase, and a chain reaction follows that hits the poor the hardest,” he said.
The middle class, he added, is also feeling the squeeze as the prices of smartphones, laptops, medical equipment, school supplies, clothing and household appliances rise due to India’s dependence on imported components.
“For the common person, a falling rupee feels like a salary cut without the employer informing you. Your money buys less every day,” he remarked.
Tankha also drew attention to the pressure on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), many of which rely on imported raw materials. These businesses are facing a 20-30 per cent rise in input costs, shrinking already thin margins.
Machinery imports have become more expensive, slowing expansion and putting jobs at risk. Exporters, he said, are not gaining from the weaker rupee because major export sectors — such as textiles, chemicals and engineering goods — depend heavily on imported intermediaries.
“Small manufacturers are caught in a double blow: higher costs and weaker demand,” he said.
Companies with foreign currency loans are also struggling, with repayment costs rising by 15-20 per cent due to the rupee’s depreciation, weakening corporate balance sheets and threatening financial stability.
A falling rupee, Tankha added, discourages overseas investors, creating a “vicious cycle” where declining confidence further accelerates currency pressure. “As the rupee falls, investors pull out, and markets shift,” he cautioned.
Tankha urged the government to recognise the seriousness of the situation and take urgent corrective measures to stabilise the currency and safeguard vulnerable sectors of the economy.
Business
MCX gold may test Rs 1.39 lakh support, silver outlook remains weak amid global uncertainty: Analysts

Mumbai, July 18: MCX Gold and Silver are expected to remain volatile in the near term as investors assess geopolitical developments in the Middle East, movements in crude oil prices, and the US Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, according to market analysts.
Analysts said MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to stabilise around the key psychological support level of Rs 1,40,000.
They believe a decisive break below this level could accelerate selling pressure and drag prices towards the Rs 1,39,300-Rs 1,38,700 support zone.
“MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to find support near Rs 1,40,000 and is attempting to stabilise above this key level. A decisive break below Rs 1,40,000 could extend the decline toward the Rs 1,39,300–Rs 1,38,700 support zone,” as per the market expert.
“On the upside, immediate resistance is placed at Rs 1,40,700–Rs 1,41,000, followed by Rs 1,42,000–Rs 1,42,700. A sustained move above these resistance zones could strengthen recovery momentum,” an analyst stated.
MCX Silver also ended the week with a cautious negative bias, continuing to trade below key resistance levels.
Analysts expect resistance in the Rs 2,17,000-Rs 2,18,000 range, followed by Rs 2,20,000-Rs 2,21,000.
“On the downside, Rs 2,15,000–Rs 2,14,000 remains the immediate support zone, while a break below this area could drag prices toward Rs 2,11,000–Rs 2,10,000,” a market expert mentioned.
“Overall, the broader trend remains weak, with sustained strength above key resistance levels needed to signal a meaningful recovery,” the analyst stated.
Globally, COMEX Gold also finished the week with a negative bias while attempting to hold above the important $4,000 support level.
Analysts said a break below this mark could trigger fresh selling towards the $3,920-$3,900 zone, whereas a recovery above $4,050-$4,070 could lift prices towards $4,120-$4,150.
COMEX Silver remained under pressure as well, with prices trying to sustain above the $55-$54.50 support area.
Analysts noted that a decisive break below this range could lead to further weakness towards $53, while a move above $56.50-$57 could improve sentiment and potentially drive prices towards $59.
Business
RBI slaps fines on 2 Muthoot Group firms for breach of rules

Mumbai, July 17: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on Muthoot Finance Limited as well as Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for non-compliance with the central bank’s Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.
The RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 5.80 lakh on Muthoot Finance Limited and Rs 2.70 lakh on Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for the breach of its regulations, according to a statement issued on Friday.
The RBI said that it carried out statutory inspection of Muthoot Finance Limited with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2025.
Based on the supervisory findings of noncompliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.
After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI concluded that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts; and it also failed to put in place a robust software for effective identification and reporting of suspicious transactions.
In the case of Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited also, the RBI conducted a statutory inspection of the company.
Based on the supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.
After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts, with such periodicity being at least once in six months.
According to the RBI, the action in both cases is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the companies with their customers.
The imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the companies, the RBI said.
Business
Bomb threat note found on IndiGo Ahmedabad-bound flight; police launch probe

Bengaluru, July 17: A hoax bomb threat found inside the lavatory of an IndiGo flight bound for Ahmedabad triggered a security scare at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, leading police to register an FIR and launch an investigation into the incident.
The threat was discovered on Thursday evening aboard IndiGo flight 6E-6423, which was scheduled to depart for Ahmedabad at 8 p.m.
According to police, a handwritten note bearing the message, “Don’t go. Bomb Hai! Please,” was found tucked inside the aircraft’s forward lavatory around 25 minutes before take-off.
The discovery prompted airport authorities and security personnel to immediately activate standard safety protocols.
The aircraft was subjected to a thorough security check, but no suspicious object or explosive material was found during the search.
Following the incident, IndiGo lodged a formal complaint with the airport police, stating that the hoax threat had caused operational disruption and raised serious safety concerns for passengers and crew.
Based on the airline’s complaint, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation to identify the person responsible for leaving the note and ascertain the motive behind the false bomb threat.
Meanwhile, last month, another IndiGo flight carrying around 180 passengers from Lucknow to Delhi was grounded after a bomb threat was discovered written on a tissue paper inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories, triggering a comprehensive security response at the airport.
The flight, scheduled to depart from Lucknow at 10:45 a.m. on June 12, was preparing for take-off when crew members were alerted to a possible security threat on board.
The aircraft was immediately halted at the apron and prevented from departing as security agencies initiated standard emergency procedures.
The scare began after a tissue paper bearing the word “bomb” was found inside one of the aircraft’s toilets.
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