Business
GST rationalisation impact: Higher RBI dividend expected to offset revenue shortfall; CareEdge flags tax pressure – The Times of India
The recent rationalisation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates is likely to create a net revenue loss of around 0.1 per cent of GDP in the current financial year. However, this shortfall may be compensated by the higher dividend payout from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), according to a report by CareEdge Ratings.The report, cited by ANI, highlighted that tax revenue growth has already slowed this year. With nominal GDP growth projected to be lower in FY26, achieving the full-year tax collection targets could become more difficult. The effect of the income tax relief announced in the last Budget, along with the revised GST structure, will need to be closely watched in the coming months.
CareEdge noted, “The net revenue shortfall from GST rationalisation is expected to be offset by the higher dividend transfer received from the RBI.”Despite the support from non-tax revenue, the report cautioned that weaker tax inflows could limit the government’s spending capacity in the latter half of the fiscal year. This could become more pronounced if the Centre continues to focus on its fiscal consolidation goal, which involves gradually lowering the fiscal deficit over time.When the GST rationalisation decision was announced, the GST Council had estimated the fiscal implication at about Rs 48,000 crore, or around 0.15 per cent of GDP based on FY24 consumption levels. The Council had also expected that stronger consumption could help recover part of this impact through improved GST receipts.A separate analysis by the State Bank of India (SBI), reported by ANI, projected that the central government’s revenue loss due to the GST rate cuts will be about Rs 3,700 crore in FY26. SBI noted that robust growth and increased consumer demand have helped soften the overall impact.SBI pointed out that while the initial estimated loss from GST rate changes was Rs 93,000 crore, additional GST collections led to the net loss narrowing to Rs 48,000 crore.During the first half of the current fiscal year, a slowdown in tax receipts was partly cushioned by strong non-tax revenue, particularly the higher dividend from the RBI. Meanwhile, the reduction in personal income tax rates announced in the Budget has contributed to slower income tax collections this year.While the complete fiscal impact of the GST rationalisation will become clearer over time, analysts suggest that the government may still be able to maintain fiscal balance. The combination of higher non-tax revenue and potential gains from stronger consumption-led GST inflows could help offset the pressure from moderating tax collections.
Britain’s competition watchdog has vowed to tackle fake and misleading online reviews “head on” as it launched investigations into firms including Just Eat and Autotrader.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said reviews are used by 90% of consumers when they buy over the internet and play a large part in the UK’s over £200 billion online retail sector.
But up to 50% of online reviews are fake, according to recent research by tech firm Truth Engine.
The CMA said its latest action against firms comes as part of a clampdown on fake and misleading reviews as shoppers increasingly rely on customer feedback when shopping online.
Emma Cochrane, executive director for consumer protection at the CMA, told the Press Association: “It’s so important that consumers can have trust in those reviews because we know that nine in 10 of us rely on them when we’re shopping, and that retail shopping in the UK is billions of pounds worth a year.
“It’s so important that consumers can have trust and confidence when they’re shopping online.”
Here are the CMA’s tips for spotting and avoiding fake reviews:
– Read the reviews
Shoppers often get taken in by five-star ratings without actually reading what people have to say about a product or service.
“You’ll be surprised at how many reviews sound dubious, overly vague or even totally unrelated to the item they’re supposedly endorsing,” the CMA said.
– Be alert to AI-generated reviews
Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to make fake reviews sound fluent, polished and highly convincing.
“If a review feels a bit too slick, reads like it’s been perfectly crafted, or uses very similar wording to others, it may not reflect a real customer’s experience,” the CMA warned.
– Take a look at the other ratings
Look beyond the five-star ratings.
Three or four-star reviews are less likely to be fake, and they can be more useful to give a genuine, overall assessment.
– Check out multiple sites
Looking across several sites can help shoppers see patterns and provide a more consistent picture.
“Check a few different review sites. If you’re seeing the same kind of reviews coming up again and again, it’s more likely to be fake,” said Ms Cochrane.
The UK’s competition watchdog says it is looking at five firms in its investigation into misleading online reviews.
Source link
Business
Gold price today (March 25, 2026): How much 24K and 22K gold cost in Delhi, Mumbai & more- Check rates – The Times of India
Gold futures traded higher on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on Friday with key contracts registering gains of up to 1.6 per cent amid firm buying interest and supportive global cues.The April 2026 gold contract rose by Rs 2,290, or 1.64 per cent, to trade at Rs 1,41,783 per 10 grams. The contract moved between an intraday low of Rs 1,40,287 and a high of Rs 1,42,800. The June 2026 contract, which saw higher trading activity, gained Rs 1,921, or 1.35 per cent, to Rs 1,44,435 per 10 grams. During the session, it touched a low of Rs 1,43,652 and a high of Rs 1,45,773. Meanwhile, the August 2026 contract advanced by Rs 1,480, or 1.02 per cent, to Rs 1,47,100 per 10 grams, with an intraday range of Rs 1,47,040 to Rs 1,48,600.Here is how gold prices stand across major cities today:
Gold price in Delhi today
Gold prices in the national capital declined, with 24K gold quoted at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold slipped Rs 200 to Rs 13,280 per gram.
Gold price in Mumbai today
Mumbai bullion markets also saw a drop, with 24K gold priced at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Chennai today
Chennai recorded a sharper decline, with 24K gold selling at Rs 14,651 per gram, down Rs 262, while 22K gold dropped Rs 240 to Rs 13,430 per gram.
Gold price in Kolkata today
In Kolkata, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold stood at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad markets reflected a similar trend, with 24K gold priced at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,265 per gram, slipping Rs 200.
Gold price in Bangalore today
In Bangalore, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,471 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold was selling at Rs 13,265 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Ahmedabad today
Ahmedabad bullion markets showed declines, with 24K gold at Rs 14,476 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold fell Rs 200 to Rs 13,270 per gram.
Gold price in Lucknow today
In Lucknow, 24K gold was priced at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold moved lower by Rs 200 to Rs 13,280 per gram.
Gold price in Patna today
Patna markets also recorded weaker rates, with 24K gold quoted at Rs 14,476 per gram, down Rs 218, and 22K gold at Rs 13,270 per gram, lower by Rs 200.
Gold price in Jaipur today
In Jaipur, 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,486 per gram, down Rs 218, while 22K gold stood at Rs 13,280 per gram, down Rs 200.
Illinois defense gets tough, ousts Houston to reach Elite Eight
More risk from Iran war to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka: S&P Global
Savannah Guthrie is returning to “Today” show on April 6, NBC says
-
Entertainment1 week agoVal Kilmer revived 1 year after death through AI
-
Fashion6 days agoChina’s textile & apparel exports surge 17% to $50 bn in Jan-Feb 2026
-
Business6 days agoFlipkart group CFO to leave co amid IPO plans – The Times of India
-
Sports7 days agoRating Adidas’ 2026 World Cup away shirts: Argentina, Spain, Mexico and more
-
Business1 week agoVideo: The Effects of High Oil Prices
-
Sports7 days agoAmerican Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti thanks Trump for Army-Navy game executive order
-
Tech1 week ago
The Corsair 4000D RS PC Case Keeps Your System Cool
-
Tech1 week ago‘Uncanny Valley’: Nvidia’s ‘Super Bowl of AI,’ Tesla Disappoints, and Meta’s VR Metaverse ‘Shutdown’