Gold, silver rally on strong global market sentiment
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices climbed Rs 700 to Rs 1,30,160 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday tracking firm trends in the global markets and strong investor appetite, according to marketmen.
The precious metal of 99.5 per cent purity jumped by Rs 700 to Rs 1,29,560 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes).
"Gold edged higher...supported by increasing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
He further stated that gold prices, during the week, have remained well-supported by renewed optimism over a potential Fed cut and a steady US dollar.
Silver prices also continued their upward march for the fourth straight session soaring by Rs 3,000 to Rs 1,71,200 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes).
In the past four sessions, the white metal skyrocketed by Rs 16,200 from Rs 1,55,000 per kg on Monday.
In the international markets, spot gold went up by USD 12.44 , or 0.30 per cent, to USD 4,169.88 per ounce.
"Spot gold continues to remain well bid on rate cut expectations after recent dovish comments by the Federal Reserve officials," Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities, Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.
The dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.16 per cent higher at 99.75, capping gains for the yellow metal.
Sandip Raichura - CEO, Retail Broking and Distribution, PL Capital, said that gold will soon test the USD 4,400 level, which marks its all-time high. Continuing purchases by central banks, as well as dollar weakness, are leading to a strong support for gold at the USD 4,000 level.
Spot silver was trading 0.77 per cent higher at USD 53.81 per ounce, marking gains for the fifth straight day. In the session, the white metal rose to hit an intra-day high of USD 54.31 an ounce in the overseas market.
"Silver approaches towards its all-time high (USD 54.49 per ounce), with increased predictions that the US Federal Reserve would further lower interest rates," Renisha Chainani, Head - Research at Augmont said.
She noted that Chinese inventories have fallen to decade lows, which has led to large exports to London to alleviate supply constraints. The reduction follows a spike in Chinese silver exports in October, which reached a record high of over 660 tonnes.
Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said, "With US economic data yet to flow in after the government reopening, upcoming releases will be crucial for the Fed as it prepares for the final policy meeting of 2025 on December 10, where a rate cut is widely anticipated."
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CM Siddaramaiah rebuts BJP's '63 per cent' corruption charge
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday refuted BJP leader R Ashoka's accusation regarding a judge's alleged remark about "63 per cent corruption" in the state, saying the opposition is "twisting facts" and attempting to shift blame from its own past tenure.
In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly had “tried to hang the BJP’s bell of sins around the Congress government's necks and has ended up embarrassing himself” by misinterpreting the Upa Lokayukta’s comments.
"In the report submitted in November 2019, Honourable Upa Lokayukta B Veerappa had stated that there was 63 per cent corruption in the State. At the time he submitted the report, the BJP government led by Yediyurappa was in power in the State,” he clarified.
Countering Ashoka’s demand for a CBI probe, Siddaramaiah listed a series of scandals under the previous BJP government, saying corruption cases were "not just one or two".
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He accused the former regime of "shameless loot" even during the COVID crisis and said "a minimum 40 per cent commission was the norm across departments".
Referring to the death of contractor Santosh Patil, alleged irregularities in irrigation projects, the PSI recruitment scam and charges levelled by BJP MLC H Vishwanath against current state party president B Y Vijayendra, he said: “If we begin listing the scams from the BJP era, an entire epic volume could be written.”
Targetting the Centre, Siddaramaiah said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who proclaims “Na khaaoonga, na khaane doonga” (Neither shall I take kickbacks, nor allow others to take it), India was 'sinking into corruption'.
He cited Transparency International rankings that place the country 96th globally.
Dismissing Ashoka’s claims as “foolishness”, Siddaramaiah asserted that his administration was ensuring transparency in “recruitment to transfers”, preventing misuse of money and power.
“Mr R Ashoka, the monumental corruption you created cannot be cleaned up in just two and a half years,” the Chief Minister said. “Give us some time — we will set everything right.”
Ashoka demanded the transfer of all corruption cases against the Congress government in the state to the CBI, and called for its resignation.
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His demand comes following an alleged remark by Upalokayukta Justice B Veerappa that the level of corruption in Karnataka stood at '63 per cent'.
"We had fought against this corrupt government both inside and outside the assembly when the MUDA scam, Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam surfaced. At that time, CM Siddaramaiah repeatedly asked for evidence of corruption. As per our constitution, courts and judges hold big positions and what they say is regarded as order or a record," Ashoka, also the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said now a judge has stated that the government in Karnataka is "63 per cent corrupt".
"We-- BJP-- had made a 60 per cent commission charge against this government, but a judge has said it is not 60, it is 63 per cent. He (judge) said it at an event where he shared the stage with other judges and senior advocates. He has alleged that there is corruption in almost all departments, nothing happens without paying commission. Karnataka is in fifth position in corruption," he claimed.
At a public event on Wednesday, Justice Veerappa had claimed that the corruption in Kerala stood at 10 per cent, while it is 63 per cent in Karnataka.
He had said that he was able to witness it after becoming the Upalokayukta.
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Recalling that the Congress government, after coming to power, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the "40 per cent commission" charge it had made against the previous BJP government, Ashoka asked -- what probe will the government order, following the 63 per cent corruption allegation against it.
"If you have any shame left, resign and go... you formed SIT against us, constitute CBI probe on this (allegations against Congress govt), if you have guts, let the corruption in various departments come out in the open," he added.
According to the LoP, Karnataka has become an "ATM" for the Congress party to fund any state elections. Power goes to those who give more money to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
"For the recent Bihar elections, more than Rs 300 crore has gone from Karnataka itself. A breakfast meeting of Ministers was called to collect this money," he said, adding that Congress is synonymous with corruption, and corruption is Congress' home deity.
