Air India divestment – a win-win for everyone
For the Tata Group, Air India brings on the table its fleet of 172 aircraft at the consolidated level, a market share of 13 percent in the domestic market and 19 percent in the international market, apart from precious intangibles like airport slots and Star Alliance memberships
Interview | Cement industry is poised for strong growth, says CEO of Dalmia Cement Bharat
The cement maker will put up a better show than the industry average on growth numbers, asserts Mahendra Singhi
The new farm laws will usher in the structural transformation of Indian agriculture
The farm reforms aim to create conditions for small farmers to survive, if not thrive, by linking farms to markets and agribusinesses, thereby trying to create a dynamic, modern agricultural sector
Wistron workers' violence can lead to learning wrong lessons
The violence at Wistron, if it signals the beginning of another round of industrial unrest, could have serious consequences for the government's Make in India policy
For Biden’s economic team, an early focus on climate
That climate focus is expected to influence the incoming administration’s initial plans to support the economic recovery
WarnerMedia chief has become a movie villain to some in Hollywood
The HBO move, aimed at dealing with the continuing challenges brought on by the pandemic, upended decades of precedent for the way the movie industry does business and sent Hollywood into a frenzy
In Rajasthan, Congress is losing support at the grassroots
The tussle between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot is far from over, and both leaders are still vying for control of the state unit. With the election loss, the blame game could worsen the prospects of the Congress in Rajasthan
Courageous reforms in agriculture sector long overdue. Government must not yield now
The farm laws are meaningful liberalisation-oriented reforms aimed at reducing government control over the agriculture sector. Buckling under pressure on this issue will set the clock back on reforms by several years
Supply chain disruptions to derail auto industry prospects
A severe supply shortage of semiconductors is the culprit
Chart of the Day | V-shaped recovery? The IIP for October 2020 is lower than what it was two years ago
The Capital Goods sub-index is lower than what it was in October 2015
Does lower growth result in more jobs?
It’s a great comfort that the urban unemployment rate falls in India, according to government data, even when economic growth stalls
Interview | We plan to reduce our gold loan portfolio to 50% in 10 years, says VP Nandakumar, CEO of Manappuram Finance
We will primarily remain a gold loans NBFC, but we want to scale up our affordable housing business to 20% in 10 years, says VP Nandakumar, MD and CEO of Manappuram Finance
L&T Infotech's deal win gathers pace, sharpens focus on cloud and data products
Large deal wins show signs of recovery after a tepid first half of the fiscal year for L&T Infotech. The company signed two large contracts so far this quarter and sees strong opportunities in the cloud and data products business
As COVID optimism grows, investors seek to hedge against inflation risk
US inflation expectations are rising and huge increases in public debt and central bank balance sheets are causing many investors to think seriously about how to protect their portfolios from inflationary risks
Breaking up Facebook
Zuckerberg faces the real possibility of his painstakingly built up tech empire crumbling
Airport privatisation must ensure flying remains affordable
More than putting a cap on how many airports a single entity can win, bidding parameters should focus on containing costs so that user charges do not escalate
Sikh farmers have been great ambassadors of India's agri skills
In the last two decades, farming in Punjab has become increasingly unremunerative and with hardly any other industry in the state, there are no jobs for the young, who face a bleak and hopeless future. Agricultural reforms, with the right motive and intention, are the crying need of the state.
Sedition Law: Sensitivity and trepidations of the State
Should the State feel helpless and orphaned if the law of sedition is to be repealed? The fact that for seven decades and more the State has staunchly held on to this law suggests so
The Reading List: December 11, 2020
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance
European Central Bank steps up its stimulus as the economy contracts
The measures include a de facto money printing programme worth more than $2 trillion and an initiative that effectively pays banks to lend money to businesses and consumers
Unemployment claims jump, casting new shadow over US economy
Unemployment filings during the pandemic have been far above levels recorded in previous recessions
The way ahead for COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution in India
Certain questions need to be accorded top priority while planning the way in the Indian COVID-19 immunisation programme, which must be accentuated with novel steps and innovations at the grass-roots level catering to all
Three options that will boost India’s defence prospects in 2021
India needs to maximise its military’s operational capacity and increase the possibility of indigenisation without confusing the two and ending up nowhere
Popularity and Terror Threats | Will politics in Pakistan follow the old script?
Maryam Nawaz should watch out. An almost identical series of events preceded Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. ‘Terrorist’ threats from unknown sources, allegations of foreign funding, and an Army intent on keeping the reins
Pawan Goenka is right. India must seize the slim window of opportunity to revive manufacturing
The vast majority of actions needed to remove the drawbacks of the Indian system, which take away from the ease of doing business, require Centre-state cooperation
