
Telangana Govt rescheduled its borrowings, apparently to meet Rythu Bharosa commitment
The government, which proposed to raise ₹14,000 crore for the April-June quarter of the current fiscal (2025-26), has in fact raised ₹17,400 crore till date, with just one week left for the end of the quarter. It has raised a huge ₹8,500 crore in auction of securities conducted by the RBI in June alone, raising ₹1,500 crore on June 3, ₹3,000 crore on June 10 and ₹4,000 crore on June 17 to ensure that there is no dearth of funds for disbursal under Rythu Bharosa.
This was against the proposed market borrowings in the indicative calendar of auction of securities wherein the Government indicated that it would raise Rs. 4,000 crore in two instalments of Rs. 2,000 crore each in April and Rs. 5,000 crore each in May and June taking the total borrowings for the quarter to Rs. 14,000 crore.
The government, however, appears to have altered the quantum and dates of its participation in the auction of securities to ensure that adequate funds are available for crediting the first instalment of Rythu Bharosa into farmers' accounts. The government participated in the auctions of securities conducted in April and May, raising ₹8,900 crore in for meeting its immediate needs given the tight financial situation it has been facing.

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Economic Times
25 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Free sandwich, free wi-fi, Rs 1,200 bank bill: Inside India's airport lounge economy
Synopsis Airport lounges in India seem free, but the reality is different. Banks and card networks cover the cost, paying operators between Rs 600 and Rs 1,200 per domestic visit, or $25 to $35 internationally. They use lounge access to build loyalty and drive spending. Lounges in turn profit from volume, partnerships, and limited paid passes. With usage soaring, overcrowding is pushing banks to tighten rules, capping visits and cutting guest access. Travellers still save money, but the fine print is getting stricter. TIL Creatives Representative AI Image Airport lounges have become a familiar sight for Indian travellers. They promise calm amid the bustle of terminals: free food and drinks, recliners, Wi-Fi, charging points, and sometimes even spa treatments or sleeping pods. The attraction is obvious. But one question lingers. If passengers are not paying directly, who is?Data analyst Suraj Kumar Talreja broke down the business model in a widely read post on X. 'Most people who enter lounges in India today don't actually pay anything out of pocket. You swipe your credit or debit card and walk in. It feels free.' That 'free' entry is anything but. As Talreja explained, 'Every time you enter a lounge using your card, whether it's HDFC, Axis, SBI, ICICI, or even Rupay, the lounge operator gets paid by the bank (or by Visa/Mastercard/Amex). This is part of your credit card benefit package, and the bank foots the bill as a loyalty and acquisition cost.' The numbers add up quickly. 'In India, it typically ranges from Rs 600 to Rs 1,200 per visit (domestic lounges) and 25 dollars to 35 dollars for international lounges (via networks like Priority Pass or LoungeKey),' he said. Even a quick sandwich and coffee can cost a bank that fee. — suritalreja (@suritalreja) So how do lounges profit when most visitors pay nothing upfront? Talreja was direct. 'They get paid per visit, get volume from credit card users, often save on cost by partnering with caterers and airports and some sell day passes (low share).' There are four main ways travellers gain access: credit and debit card tie-ups, international networks like Priority Pass or DreamFolks, direct paid entry (usually Rs 1,500–Rs 3,000), and airline tickets in higher classes. The first option dominates in India, driven by banks competing for customers. Banks are not simply covering costs out of generosity. Lounge access works as a powerful marketing tool. It creates a sense of privilege, encouraging cardholders to use their cards more often, which in turn earns banks transaction fees. Customers are also more likely to stay loyal or upgrade to premium cards. As Talreja put it, it is 'psychology + economics.' International lounge networks such as LoungeKey and Priority Pass play a different role. They do not own lounges. Instead, they act as middlemen, selling access rights in bulk to banks and settling payments directly with lounge has witnessed a boom in lounge usage. With every second traveller carrying a card promising entry, overcrowding has become common at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This is pushing banks to tighten restrictions include limiting access to four free visits per quarter, barring supplementary cardholders, restricting entry to domestic terminals only, denying guest access, and suspending lounge use if a card is inactive. Premium cards such as HDFC Infinia, Axis Reserve, Amex Platinum, and ICICI Emeralde still promise unlimited or international visits, but these remain travellers, lounges often remain worthwhile. A plate of food and drinks can save between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 compared to airport restaurants. Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, charging stations, and clean restrooms add to the value. 'Some lounges have beds and showers (especially in T3 Delhi or Bangalore International),' noted everyone is convinced. One user responded to his thread by saying, 'Airport lounges in India are now like a second-class railway station waiting room. Best skipped I think.' Others highlighted that many cards now demand a minimum spend before lounge privileges kick these debates, the model continues to benefit all sides. Travellers get comfort, banks build loyalty and earn fees, lounges secure steady payments, and airports manage crowds more one user summarised on X after reading Talreja's thread: 'What an awesome thread. Loved the details.' Another added, 'There is a B2B version of the lounge too, wherein you can buy a membership to get access to the lounge.'The economics may not be visible to passengers, but every swipe of a card is part of a carefully balanced system. It looks free, but it is anything but.

The Hindu
25 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Bars pegged at 840, timings extended till midnight under new policy in A.P.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced the New Bar Policy 2025–28, introducing reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, social equity, and financial sustainability in bar operations. It has also extended the timings, allowing the bars to function from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight. Nishant Kumar, Commissioner of Prohibition & Excise, at a press meet held at the Commissioner's Office in Mangalagiri on Monday, explained that under the new framework, notified through G.O. Ms. No. 275 dated August 13, 2025, the State has fixed the number of bars at 840, while reserving an additional 10% exclusively for Geetha Kulalu (toddy tapper community). These reserved category bars will receive a 50% concession in licence fees, a move aimed at promoting social empowerment and broadening community participation. All bar licences will be allotted through a public draw of lots, with a minimum of four valid applications required for each bar to qualify for the draw. The Commissioner said the system was designed to prevent speculative or single-party applications while fostering healthy competition. He noted that Andhra Pradesh's recent retail shop allotments drew an average of 26 applications per shop, compared to 131 applications per bar in Telangana's latest allotment. Three slabs The policy fixes the licence tenure at three years, from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2028. The licence fees have been rationalised across population slabs: ₹35 lakh for towns with up to 50,000 residents, ₹55 lakh for populations between 50,001 and 5 lakh, and ₹75 lakh for cities with more than 5 lakh people. A 10% annual increase will apply across all categories. The fees can be paid in six instalments, with one instalment secured by a bank guarantee. Bars will be permitted in urban local bodies and notified tourism centres, excluding religious destinations. Provisions have also been made to expand into industrial corridors, metropolitan development areas, and SEZs in the future. In Tirupati, however, strict restrictions have been imposed, with bars barred along routes leading to Alipiri and Tirumala. Officials underlined that the new licence fee structure is kept below retail shop licence slabs, ensuring long-term viability and predictability for operators. This, they said, would avoid the problem of vacant licences, citing the 44 that went unallotted even after re-auctions in 2022–23. Mr. Nishant Kumar said the New Bar Policy 2025–28 represents a decisive step towards transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability. He emphasised that the framework provides equal opportunities for both established operators and new entrants, while keeping bar businesses viable and accountable across Andhra Pradesh.


Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Free sandwich, free wi-fi, Rs 1,200 bank bill: Inside India's airport lounge economy
Airport lounges have become a familiar sight for Indian travellers . They promise calm amid the bustle of terminals: free food and drinks, recliners, Wi-Fi, charging points, and sometimes even spa treatments or sleeping pods. The attraction is obvious. But one question lingers. If passengers are not paying directly, who is? Data analyst Suraj Kumar Talreja broke down the business model in a widely read post on X. 'Most people who enter lounges in India today don't actually pay anything out of pocket. You swipe your credit or debit card and walk in. It feels free.' Who really pays for the lounge access? That 'free' entry is anything but. As Talreja explained, 'Every time you enter a lounge using your card, whether it's HDFC, Axis, SBI , ICICI, or even Rupay, the lounge operator gets paid by the bank (or by Visa/Mastercard/Amex). This is part of your credit card benefit package, and the bank foots the bill as a loyalty and acquisition cost.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Worried About Bills? Learn How Pay-Later Loans Work TheDaddest Undo The numbers add up quickly. 'In India, it typically ranges from Rs 600 to Rs 1,200 per visit (domestic lounges) and 25 dollars to 35 dollars for international lounges (via networks like Priority Pass or LoungeKey),' he said. Even a quick sandwich and coffee can cost a bank that fee. — suritalreja (@suritalreja) Live Events How lounges stay afloat So how do lounges profit when most visitors pay nothing upfront? Talreja was direct. 'They get paid per visit, get volume from credit card users, often save on cost by partnering with caterers and airports and some sell day passes (low share).' There are four main ways travellers gain access: credit and debit card tie-ups, international networks like Priority Pass or DreamFolks, direct paid entry (usually Rs 1,500–Rs 3,000), and airline tickets in higher classes. The first option dominates in India, driven by banks competing for customers. Why banks want you inside lounges Banks are not simply covering costs out of generosity. Lounge access works as a powerful marketing tool. It creates a sense of privilege, encouraging cardholders to use their cards more often, which in turn earns banks transaction fees. Customers are also more likely to stay loyal or upgrade to premium cards. As Talreja put it, it is 'psychology + economics.' International lounge networks such as LoungeKey and Priority Pass play a different role. They do not own lounges. Instead, they act as middlemen, selling access rights in bulk to banks and settling payments directly with lounge operators. India has witnessed a boom in lounge usage. With every second traveller carrying a card promising entry, overcrowding has become common at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. This is pushing banks to tighten terms. New restrictions include limiting access to four free visits per quarter, barring supplementary cardholders, restricting entry to domestic terminals only, denying guest access, and suspending lounge use if a card is inactive. Premium cards such as HDFC Infinia, Axis Reserve, Amex Platinum, and ICICI Emeralde still promise unlimited or international visits, but these remain exceptions. Do lounges still make sense? For travellers, lounges often remain worthwhile. A plate of food and drinks can save between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 compared to airport restaurants. Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, charging stations, and clean restrooms add to the value. 'Some lounges have beds and showers (especially in T3 Delhi or Bangalore International),' noted Talreja. Not everyone is convinced. One user responded to his thread by saying, 'Airport lounges in India are now like a second-class railway station waiting room. Best skipped I think.' Others highlighted that many cards now demand a minimum spend before lounge privileges kick in. A model with winners all round Despite these debates, the model continues to benefit all sides. Travellers get comfort, banks build loyalty and earn fees, lounges secure steady payments, and airports manage crowds more smoothly. As one user summarised on X after reading Talreja's thread: 'What an awesome thread. Loved the details.' Another added, 'There is a B2B version of the lounge too, wherein you can buy a membership to get access to the lounge.' The economics may not be visible to passengers, but every swipe of a card is part of a carefully balanced system. It looks free, but it is anything but.