opinion

Sugar’s bittersweet moment

Higher than expected sugar output in Uttar Pradesh could result in a problem of plenty for sugar mills

Chart of the Day | Rising power demand shows activity slowly getting back on its feet

Peak demand is just about 12 percent lower than last year compared to as much as 35 percent in the early stages of the lockdown

Of movie makers and theatre owners

The interests of producers and multiplex owners have always been aligned but that may change in the future.

General Atlantic-Jio deal: Great opportunity to go vocal about local

The General Atlantic-Jio deal could act as a catalyst for the movement to develop an Atmanirbhar Bharat that the Prime Minister spoke of

Suspension of IBC: It’s a half-baked solution to ease financial stress

Even in developed jurisdictions, none have suspended ability of debtor companies to submit themselves to the insolvency process

Delisting can lift spirits of MNC stocks

MNCs use the opportunity to buy and delist the company from the market when prices are low and their cost of delisting the company will be lower

Jio adds fourth feather to its cap giving heft to its digital India vision

Investments not only show faith in the company’s vision of Digital India, but also that the investors have found their bet to leverage on the opportunity.

Affordable housing for migrants is a band-aid, a salve for middle India’s conscience

Successive governments have been unable to meaningfully execute housing policies

Big bang reforms paint vision of a prosperous India, but how will we reach there?

In the immediate term, the package does little to boost demand, is inadequate although it adds up to a notional 10 percent of GDP, and leans too heavily on a spluttering financial system.

Reform cheer won’t offset fiscal fear

‘Whatever it takes’ is off the table

FM’s stimulus package a non-event for the market

The market needed steroids and what the FM delivered are homoeopathic medicines

Stimulus package — Long on vision, short on mission

Focus on reforms and credit support betray the government’s inability to come out with quick fiscal steps to salvage the Covid-ravaged economy

Providing development aid has been an important part of Indian foreign policy. Will it change due to COVID-19?

The COVID-19 situation may push India further to secure more assistance and soft loans under various bilateral or multilateral windows.

How to run fiscal policy in a pandemic? A primer

Depending on the vulnerability and resilience of a household or district, the optimal quantum of fiscal support can potentially be fine-tuned

Privatisation is a capital idea but won’t be an easy sell

Privatisation can be a cure not just for the government’s finances but for the companies too. The devil lies in the execution.

Episode 5 of economic package: A demand side measure, one big reform and more borrowing

COVID-19 reminds us to be more environmentally conscious

The pandemic shows how sensitive the environment and the ecosystem surrounding us is. India needs to focus on a green recovery now

Episode 4 of economic package: The good, the bad and the ugly

The common thread running through all these announcements is government ceding more space to the private sector in areas dominated by the State.

COVID-19 | Using the crisis to propel much-needed agricultural marketing reforms

While the Centre must be commended for committing to undertake these reforms, it is equally important that these reforms form part of a larger farming ecosystem and unless simultaneous changes are brought in other aspects, these reforms may fall flat

A huge step forward in agriculture

These reforms will not only professionalise the entire value chain but also allow the farmer to access both capital and technology to modernise farming.

FM’s package 3.0 – Agriculture reforms, at last!

Large investment in infrastructure, both by the government and the private sector, will be required to give a choice to farmers to sell to a buyer of their choice.

A 1991 moment for agriculture

Key reforms will free farmers from the clutches of middlemen and trader cartels, open new channels and foster investments and competition in the agri supply chain.

Opinion | Why is popcorn so expensive at the movies?

Very highly paid A-list stars, excessive marketing costs for movies responsible for higher ticket and food prices at multiplexes.

Sedition Cases | When the process becomes the punishment

Sedition trials are statistically doomed to end in acquittals. Then why does the State doggedly pursue these cases?

Chart of the Day | Gold prices to stay up in 2020 but what about later

The next two years could provide decent returns followed by a decline.