The Reading List: August 21, 2020
These write-ups from the world of economy, business and finance will surely stand you in good stead ahead of a new week
Four principles to be followed in RBI’s loan restructuring
It is important to note that restoring the health and stability of the banking sector is critical to the recovery of the economy from this crisis
SC judgment does not clear confusion surrounding PM CARES
The problem with the PM CARES fund is that it is not transparent — the public doesn’t know the basis of allocation of funds. The Supreme Court judgment does not address this core issue
Should MPC be fixated only on inflation or tolerate it for larger good of economy?
The MPC would do well to follow its dharma of supporting the economy in these troubled times by continuing to maintain an accommodative policy even as inflation stays above its tolerance band
RBI policy on current accounts will bring much-needed discipline
The RBI should put its foot down and work for an integrated system where dodging banks, regulators and the tax department becomes impossible
RBI’s new MPC should be fit for new challenges
Now would be a good time for the government to address the issues the MPC is facing
Airport privatisation — Reset the flight path
Government needs to review the bidding system so that the entire process is not hobbled by delays
Sugarcane should be banished, not pampered
Sugarcane is a water-guzzler, depleting India's water table, apart from being bad for health. Direct and indirect subsidies for sugar production are a waste of scarce public resources
Indian manufacturing’s last chance
India must seize the opportunity that the pandemic and the new Cold War have provided to lure manufacturing multinationals away from China
Big Tech’s domination of business reaches new heights
As people shop more frequently on Amazon, click on a Google or Facebook ad or pay up for an iPhone, the companies receive a greater share of spending in the economy and earn ever larger profits
Sebi trains gun on IBC loopholes
Sebi’s proposals seek to prevent a repeat of the embarrassing spike in Ruchi Soya’s share price, improve post-resolution disclosures and includes a sop for acquirers
Bull market, but ‘far from excess bullish’
The Bank of America survey of global fund managers finds net overweight on emerging markets almost back to pre-COVID levels
Real estate sector limping its way back to normalcy
India's residential real estate sector is seeing a decisive return of serious enquiries, which are now at 50 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels in the top cities.
Education sector must prioritise data protection
Such a step would benefit millions of students, strengthen the possibility of India emerging as a global education powerhouse, and lend momentum to the digital economy
Dream 11 as IPL sponsor reveals muddled thinking on Chinese products
The economic impact of the freeze on Chinese apps is minuscule. Smartphone market leader Xiaomi’s India revenues have crossed $5 billion while ByteDance, whose app TikTok is in the eye of the storm, has yet to cross Rs 100 crore in sales
Right time for a national urban livelihood guarantee scheme
Successive governments have continued to overlook the vulnerability of India’s informal urban workforce and the situation this workforce finds itself in. The current crisis, however, presents an opportunity to modernise India’s social safety net
Robinhood has lured young traders, sometimes with devastating results
More than at any other retail brokerage firm, Robinhood’s users trade the riskiest products and at the fastest pace, according to an analysis
EPS v OPS | Power struggle in AIADMK tightens
Edappadi K Palaniswami as Chief Minister has continued to be under the limelight and O Panneerselvam has been pushed to the shadows. While EPS has weathered many challenges and managed to retain power, OPS’ position has been weakened considerably
Who is good for India: A Republican President or a Democrat President?
Over the last two decades India-US ties have strengthened, and today, there are enough convergences in the relationship so that minor irritants are inconsequential
What is the key takeaway from Warren Buffett’s investment in a gold mining company?
Buffett’s reversing his long-felt antipathy to gold suggests that there are plenty of reasons to be fearful
ADB-ILO study: Youth unemployment in India could go up to 32.5% as a result of the pandemic
If it takes 6 months to control the virus, then job losses among young Indians could go up to 6.1 million
How free should free speech be?
The future of free speech and the need to be responsible while exercising the right to express it have entered uncertain territory
Capital goods stocks rally, but haze over sector remains
Short-cycle order inflows are likely to remain under pressure in the near term
World Solar Bank — A bankable idea?
Initiative looks promising, but implementation must take into account the ground reality
