opinion

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.

COVID-19 | Liquidity package will ease stress, but hangover is too intense

Given the weak backdrop and a dire future outlook, the severity of the long duration COVID-19 shock raises serious concerns about lasting damage to output and productivity

COVID-19 | Why the migrant crisis stings CM Uddhav Thackeray more

As migrants leave cities and return home, Maharashtra looks at a big economic crisis

Why oversell schemes which can stand on their own feet

Perhaps the most glaring omission is immediate measures on a war footing needed to get off the highways migrant workers still walking back home

Is record low participation in derivative markets a red flag for the market?

Cash continues to be king

Day 2 of economic package: Still waiting for the demand boost

Will the next set of measures be about putting more money into the hands of businesses and the middle class to boost demand?

COVID-19 | The economic package must promote jobs in rural sector

India has seen one of the largest reverse migrations back to the villages, and, the government must urgently redraw its development priorities to address this reality

Vedanta's delisting bid is all about the money

Vedanta's stake in Hindustan Zinc is valued higher than its entire market capitalisation. That's just one of a set of reasons that may be driving this move by Vedanta Resources to delist the flagship.

Discom loan — It’s a relief, not a reform

Power utilities need long-term concrete measures to become “Aatmanirbhar”

A stimulus on the cheap

Finance minister announces a bunch of measures to ease liquidity. But question of boosting demand remains.

Day 1 of FM stimulus announcement was a no-show for markets

Since the entire set of measures would be revealed over the next few days, the market would stay nervous until it gets the entire details. Volatility is likely to remain high for the rest of the week.

There’s hope in Tamil Nadu’s fight against COVID-19

A few errors from the state government and the inevitable easing measures have countered the good work done so far—but, with one of the better public health systems in India, Tamil Nadu has the capability to flatten the curve

COVID-19 | Remonetise gold to tide over the economic crisis

The value of gold in India is estimated to be 40 percent of the nominal GDP. Monetising 10 percent of this will ensure a liquidity of Rs 13 lakh-crore, which can be used to overcome the crisis

Saudi Arabia’s voluntary oil production cut could be counterproductive

The stress of low oil prices is clearly showing. But Saudi’s independent action signals the end of the oil cartel. That could keep prices low for a long time.