Newsmakers: FM weighs relaxing fiscal deficit target and more

FM weighs relaxing fiscal deficit target in Budget: The government might break its budget deficit targets to stimulate demand, potentially undermining the central bank's fight against inflation. Statistically, Asia's third-largest economy is outpacing China with above 7 per cent annual growth. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic advisers are complaining of a sharp slowdown that threatens their budget calculations.

RBI to share banks' inspection report: Bowing to pressure, the Reserve Bank of India has agreed to share relevant extracts of its banks' inspection reports with a central economic intelligence wing to help it check money laundering and violations of other banking laws.

Barclays plans to shut its Indian equities business: Barclays Plc is to close its Indian equities business as part of efforts to cut costs and boost profit, two sources with direct knowledge of the plan said. The British bank's equities business in India, which was rolled out in 2011, includes research and broking for institutional investors, and employs some two dozen people. The planned closure is part of Chief Executive Jes Staley's wider plan to cut costs.

Railways to soon invite bids for modernisation of stations: Eyeing more investment from private players in infrastructure space, the government is considering to soon invite bids for modernisation of 400 stations, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

45 Indians in Forbes list of achievers under the age of 30: Ritesh Agarwal, the founder and CEO of OYO Rooms (in the picture), is among the forty five Indians and Indian-origin people who have made it to Forbes' annual list of achievers under the age of 30, who are changing the rules of the game or creating entirely new playbooks across varied fields.