Zero depreciation in Indian rupee between 2013 and 2018: Official
New Delhi, Aug 21 : Repayment of funds, which was raised from overseas market in 2013, has been a main reason for rupee depreciation in the past few months, a senior Finance Ministry official said on Tuesday.
However, the official maintained that there has been a "zero depreciation" of the Indian currency in the last 5-years between 2013 and 2018.
"In 2013, about $32-34 billion were raised by the government that appreciated the Indian rupee," the senior official said here on Tuesday adding that "the currency exchange rate between the US dollar and the Indian rupee pair is the same in 2018 as it was in 2013."
"In the last 5-years, the Indian rupee has remained stable against all major currencies like Euro and Pound, though vis-a-vis the US dollar there has been some depreciation due to the strengthening of the USD."
"We are the only country among the emerging market economies, whose currency has maintained a stable value in the long term."
In recent days, factors such as geo-political developments, wider trade deficit, along with outflow of foreign funds have pulled the Indian rupee to fresh record intra-day and closing lows.
On august 16, the Indian rupee had plunged to an intra-day low level of 70.39-40 -- its lowest ever mark -- against the greenback prompting automobile manufacturers and other import dependent sectors to raise prices.
It settled at a record closing low of 70.16 against the US dollar on August 16.
However, easing of global trade tensions, the Indian rupee appreciated by 2 paise on Tuesday to settle at 69.81 per US dollar, from 69.83 on the previous trade session.
On the country's foreign reserves position, the official said: "We are in a comfortable position as far as the forex reserves are concerned."
Recently, the country's foreign reserves as handled by the Reserve Bank of India declined by over $1.80 billion during the week ended August 10 to $400.88 billion from $402.70 billion reported for the week ended August 3.
Analysts attributed the decline in Forex reserves to RBI's intervention to stem the decline in rupee's fall. The RBI is known to enter the markets via intermediaries to either sell or buy US dollars to keep the rupee in a stable orbit.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
