ECONOMY
Phased rollback of lockdown effective only once testing is scaled up
Swift targeted tests must to identify hotspots and isolate them so that the wheels of economy can start rolling to save livelihoods along with life
ECONOMY
Digital India sees virtue in virus
Better data network and infrastructure must to sustain the boom in e-commerce and online transactions triggered by Covid-19
ECONOMY
States need more financial muscle to fight Covid-19
Tweaking the FRBM Act to allow higher borrowings and front-loading allocation of central funds are the need of the hour
ECONOMY
Small savings — the unkindest cut of all
Lowering of postal deposit rates should have been done in a gradual manner to soften the adverse impact on fixed-income earners and senior citizens
ECONOMY
Cash is not always the king
Operational hurdles may come in the way of effective implementation of the direct benefit transfer under the relief package for the poor
ECONOMY
COVID-19 | Cashing in on food grain buffer
The government’s proactive move to ensure adequate ration supplies during Covid-19 crisis will help FCI to clear its excess stock
ECONOMY
Quick economic stimulus need of the hour
The NDA government needs to push through prudent policy measures fast
BUSINESS
How potent is the bulk drugs pill?
The package to promote local API units is silent on brownfield capacities and skirts the issue of drug price control
ECONOMY
Crude crash — don’t let the advantage slip away
Government must leverage oil price tumble to tank up storage facilities and lock in futures purchase prices
ECONOMY
GST on mobile needs a review
Rectification of inverted duty structure can become self-defeating if handsets turn costlier, impacting demand and growth
POLICY
Competition Act must play fair
The amendment bill should ensure that CCI’s independence stays intact and there’s no arbitrariness in decision-making
ECONOMY
EPFO must think out of the box
Economic compulsions demand that the PF custodian explores ways to maximise returns on investment
BUSINESS
A way out for highway projects
Land bonds can help NHAI cut asset acquisition delay and hasten approval for road construction
ECONOMY
Connect the dots for infrastructure growth
Blue Dot Network, led by the US, provides an opportunity to get big-ticket projects off the ground
ECONOMY
Airport privatisation — the more the merrier
Multiple entities running different airports will help mitigate financial risks and enhance performance
POLICY
Crop insurance revamp sows seeds of risk
Chances of state default and higher premia rise as Centre tweaks insurance schemes
TRADE-2
An anxious wait for US-India trade deal
World trade alignments make it imperative for the two nations to strive for stronger economic cooperation
ECONOMY
Let gasping gas plants breathe freely
A sharp drop in natural gas prices offers government the opportunity to reignite gas-based power units
ECONOMY
Challenges to auction of coal blocks
Rules have to be in sync with ground reality to attract serious bids for commercial mining of the fossil fuel
TRADE-2
US stand on GSP a boon in disguise for trade
New policy must incorporate sops that are globally acceptable and help exporters compete on the global stage
BUDGET
Get nutrients right for fertiliser reform
Subsidy recast, urea decontrol, promotion of organic fertilisers and balanced use of chemical compounds are need of the hour
POLICY
Smart meters need smart planning
Full-fledged roll-out of prepaid meters tough to execute unless states come on board and funds are in place
TRADE-2
Customs duty hike should not be a custom
A protectionist stance deprives customers of cheap products and spawns inefficiency
REAL-ESTATE
Time for realty sector to realise the home truth
Budget sops notwithstanding, real estate developers should take cue from Economic Survey to mitigate their woes
