BUSINESS
India’s solar power target needs an urgent review
Apex court order adds to the problems of the renewable energy sector which is already plagued by the pandemic-led slowdown
BUSINESS
The COVID curve — The writing is on the wall
Government must make a clean breast of the Corona crisis as global support for vaccine IPR waiver will mean little for India if Lancet forecast turns out correct
BUSINESS
India-UK trade initiative — A win-win for both
Strategic partnership with UK can be New Delhi’s template for future trade deals while Britain can benefit from India’s large market size and deep talent pool
BUSINESS
Can GST mop-up momentum continue?
April collection comfort will be short-lived unless government fast-tracks vaccination and comes up with recovery steps once second COVID wave wanes
BUSINESS
Will court jab raise Centre’s COVID consciousness?
Government should take note of Supreme Court’s posers and make necessary course correction in the COVID vaccination programme
BUSINESS
Vax populi — Coordinated planning a must to make inoculation drive a success
If the Centre asks states to fend for themselves in this moment of crisis, it can lead to chaos when demand is set to outstrip vaccine supply
BUSINESS
COVID treatment needs an urgent tax-cut tonic
A GST exemption on COVID-related drugs and medical devices can offer some succour to virus-infected people and their families
BUSINESS
Lower India-China trade deficit — A moment to brag or brood?
An advantage on bilateral trade turf will only make sense if New Delhi manages to match Beijing’s economic recovery pace
TRENDS
Absence of long-term PPAs could pull the plug on power projects
Revamped PPAs, along with power trading reforms, can enhance off-take of renewable energy and help government fulfil target
BUSINESS
Carbon neutrality — Commitment must balance compulsion
India will have to weigh its development need and economic imperative before announcing a “net zero” target at an international forum
BUSINESS
High time the government broke silence on export support scheme
Clarity on RoDTEP will not only help local exporters, but also enable India to address concerns of its trade partners
BUSINESS
GST — Ride on the glee to fix the glitches
A steady uptick in revenue collection should give the government the confidence to carry out long-pending rejig in the indirect tax system
POLITICS
Can India wean Bangladesh away from China’s embrace?
New Delhi must step up commercial engagements with its eastern neighbour to balance Beijing’s influence on Dhaka
BUSINESS
India-US trade ties face Google tax googly
A quick global consensus on e-commerce equalisation levy is the only way out to avoid bilateral conflicts on this thorny issue
BUSINESS
Can India fit an Intel chip into its fab design?
In the face of stiff competition from other countries, India must firm up policy measures and incentives on semiconductor investment fast unless it wants a repeat of past experience
BUSINESS
A shrinking middle class can cloud growth prospects
The Pew report is yet another pointer to the rising income equality in the country and a wake-up call for the government to address lacunae that hurt the purchasing power of the masses.
BUSINESS
Universal Basic Income — The Bengal model
The monthly cash scheme proposal in Trinamool manifesto builds on Mamata’s welfare narrative, but could be hard to deliver for a state saddled with huge debt
BUSINESS
Wind power — Which way is the wind blowing?
Low bids at auction are encouraging, but wind energy faces headwinds that need to be addressed if the sector has to play an effective role in the country’s renewable power journey
BUSINESS
Basic customs duty on solar modules — Plugging into a new brand of protectionism
The jury is still out on whether import duty hike is the best tool available to make domestic manufacturing self-reliant
BUSINESS
A wake-up call for renewable power
Government needs to take immediate note of the parliamentary panel’s observation and plug the gaps to fulfil its RE goal by 2022
BUSINESS
Is the PLI scheme enough to make Indian manufacturing self-reliant?
Sops can at best be short-term steps to boost industrial growth, but for long-term success a more holistic approach to removing impediments is needed
BUSINESS
Welcome US shift in stand on digital tax
India, which has been criticised for its unilateral levy, should benefit in the long run from a global consensus on taxing big tech firms
BUSINESS
Biden holds out hope for multilateralism
India will have to play its cards right to make the best use of the new-found global zeal for economic cooperation
BUSINESS
WTO concern a reality check on export comfort
Rise in outbound shipments holds out hope, but it is more important to keep the momentum going in the face of global trade uncertainty
