BUSINESS
Discom distress to linger
States’ support key to implementing power distribution reforms at a time when lower electricity demand threatens to further hurt finances of distribution companies
BUSINESS
Performance indicators — Rank and reality
While India’s improvement in the innovation index is welcome, the controversy over World Bank’s EoDB ranking should make us cautious about such catch-all metrics
BUSINESS
Trade policy needs a fresh approach
Export promotion more than import restriction should be the focus of negotiations with other nations
BUSINESS
Fault lines in coal confidence
India’s plan to cut the import of thermal coal must factor in the needs of the power plants and the future shift in the energy mix
BUSINESS
GST dues — States to fend for themselves
Borrowings can at best be a temporary solution; Centre along with its siblings must explore more durable measures to shore up tax revenues
BUSINESS
Light and shadow in solar play
Urgent steps needed to resolve disputes, enforce contracts and cut delays to charge up renewable energy
BUSINESS
A structural shift in job market
Without corrective government steps, increased formalisation of labour looks a distant dream as informal employment sees a spike
BUSINESS
Airport privatisation — Reset the flight path
Government needs to review the bidding system so that the entire process is not hobbled by delays
TRENDS
World Solar Bank — A bankable idea?
Initiative looks promising, but implementation must take into account the ground reality
INDIA
Government needs to play the health card right
Unique ID is welcome, but increased public expenditure is the need of the hour to cure the ills of the country’s ailing health care system
BUSINESS
Honest implementation key to success of tax scheme
Latest initiative more a moment of introspection than celebration as it betrays lacunae in the rickety tax system
BUSINESS
Data debate gets a new dimension
The draft report on non-personal data leaves many questions unanswered
BUSINESS
Easier loans to start-ups — A bankable proposition?
Lenders must take a hard look at the business model of these new-age entrepreneurs before they loosen their purse strings
BUSINESS
Curb on TV import — What’s the big picture?
The restrictive move conjures up the possibility of the return of the licensing regime
BUSINESS
Windfall for Bangladesh as neighbours flex muscles
Dhaka looks to leverage the rivalry between India and China to fulfil its investment needs
BUSINESS
Ban on Chinese apps — A boon or a bane?
National security and data privacy are of paramount importance, but excessive surveillance can spoil the local tech ecosystem
BUSINESS
Lower tax may not be bait enough to spur consumption
Future fiscal measures must aim at creating more job/income opportunities
TRENDS
Make-in-India push for solar cells
Local players keen on manufacturing; big challenge is to produce competitive products
BUSINESS
India-EU talks — Mixing politics with trade
Modi apprises European leadership of tension with China while rolling out welcome mat for investors
BUSINESS
Google tax — Need to de-escalate tension
Instead of unilateral action, India and US must help in building global consensus on cross-border taxation rules
BUSINESS
GST — The compensation conundrum
States’ proposal to extend the time period looks sensible at a time when Centre’s ability to pay them their dues looks limited
BUSINESS
Housing for migrants — a few home truths
Archaic laws need to be overhauled to make returns on affordable rental housing projects attractive
MARKETS
Solar power is shining bright, but let's not make thermal plants unviable
Policy issues need to be addressed to strike the right balance between green and conventional energy sources
BUSINESS
A new exercise in corporate branding
Facebook ad boycott campaign underlines the power of inclusivity in marketing and product development
