Newsmakers: RBI monetary policy, startups, FM Arun Jaitley and more

What experts opine on RBI monetary policy statement
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept its policy rate on hold at 6.75 per cent on Tuesday, as widely expected, opting to wait until after the government's annual budget statement at the end February to decide on whether to cut interest rates further. The central bank cut the repo rate by 125 basis points in 2015, including by a bigger-than-expected 50 bps in September. It held rates at its last meeting in December.

How Raghuram Rajan plans to help start-ups access funds easily
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Tuesday it would ease rules for deals involving start-ups and was also considering whether to allow the fledgling companies to access offshore rupee loans. The central bank will allow receipt of the deal value on a deferred basis in case of a transfer of ownership of a start-up enterprise, it said in a document posted on its website.

FM Arun Jaitley favours raising public spending to boost growth
With private investment failing to pick up and monsoon playing truant on agriculture production, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today favoured increasing public spending to boost the economic growth. India has been growing by 7-7.5 per cent, and for the country to accelerate, all sectors have to contribute, he said at the MGNREGA Sammelan-2016 here.

Capping airfares will push ticket prices higher: Ashok Gajapathi Raju
Putting "floors and caps" on airfares will push the ticket prices higher as competition among airlines has kept the fares lower, Union Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said. The Civil Aviation Minister's remarks assume significance against the backdrop of concerns in certain quarters that at times airlines are charging exorbitant prices for tickets.

Auto Expo 2016 launches official app for iOS and Android
Auto Expo 2016, to be held from February 5-9 at Greater Noida, has launched its official app for Android and iOS phones. While the app for Windows phones will be available from Wednesday, the event organisers said in a press release. "This app would serve as a one stop shop for all the information related to Auto Expo 2016 and would be detailed guide for the event," the release said.