Budget 2020 | Repair at the cost of India’s fiscal health?
While the fiscal stimulus towards the rural segment is noteworthy, the additional tax cuts and incentives for the corporate sector raise concerns about the government’s fiscal health
Budget 2020 | Corporate tax measures to revive business confidence
The government has focused on getting the economy back on track and improve the ease of doing business.
Budget 2020 | On climate change, it was business as usual
Budget announcements on climate change are nothing but a lip service and the proposed incremental measures fall short in their intent to transform India into a sustainable, low-carbon, high-growth economy is disappointing.
Budget 2020 ticked infra boxes, but missed some too
More often than not, projects are stalled for reasons beyond finance
Budget: Goes for a less ambitious approach
The government seems to have chosen to go for an incremental Budget as against the expectation of a Big Bang one
Budget 2020 | In a difficult year, Sitharaman shows spunk for fiscal innovation, but targets ambitious
A lot depends on one-off revenues such as settling chronic tax disputes, LIC disinvestment and arrears of telcos
Budget 2020 | Protectionism is the other side of the Make in India coin
Hikes in customs duties and using non-tariff barriers indicate a desire to slow down imports and give more room to domestic industry to grow
A budget to forget and move on
While the fall on the budget day has been sharp, Indian markets over the last one week have been holding on despite global markets falling on account of Coronavirus fears. The budget disappointment was thus a double whammy.
Budget 2020 | Three important leads in the agri-rural sector
With contraction in core infrastructure industries and non-food bank credit, the stress in the economy, especially in the agriculture and rural sector, demanded real action, rather than poetry.
Budget 2020 | One more missed opportunity
In the entire 67-page budget speech, the word ‘slowdown’ doesn’t occur even once.
No steps to boost credit flow in the Budget
There is not much for the NBFC and real estate sectors
Economic Survey | Government intervention is a case of good intentions leading to bad outcomes
The Survey wants the government to not intervene in the functioning of markets. That’s easier said than done.
Economic Survey says reforms can lead to a swift rebound in growth
The government should listen to its message that privatisation is the way to improve efficiency
Survey suggests way to fix PSBs, but stops short of calling for privatisation
The Survey offers no solutions to what should be done with the pile of toxic assets that PSBs are currently carrying, or how to unclog the credit pipeline so that growth can take off quickly.
Politics | Trump’s peace plan is dead on arrival
The consequences of America’s poor understanding of West Asia are there to see in Iraq and Libya, among other states in the region. Trump’s ‘Middle East’ plan is an extension of that myopia.
Politics | Why Trump’s peace plan is good given the circumstances
Following Trump’s plan, Palestine has elicited little support, with many major Arab countries ignoring it till now. In short, the Palestinian negotiating position has never been weaker, and it will never get stronger.
Budget 2020 | Five steps towards restoring business and consumer confidence
With a fear of budget deficit at a time when a number of critical sectors are in need for finance, this is going to be one of the most challenging budgets.
Kotak promoter stake – different strokes for different folks?
This compromise shows RBI in poor light
Lots at stake for the real estate sector from the budget
Established players with strong balance sheets have been able to grow at a time when the sector as a whole has been reeling under pressure.
Budget 2020 | How can the government revive animal spirits?
Consumption pulls investments and to revive India’s economy; that’s where the push should be.
Budget 2020: Reform income tax to build fiscal capacity. That pays
Income tax data from four countries – the UK, the US, France and Japan – hold useful lessons for India.
Politics | Will Raj Thackeray rise at the expense of his cousin?
Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray is doing a fine balance between retaining his Hindutva credentials and managing a coalition government. MNS’ Raj Thackeray could sense an opportunity here and occupy the hardline space ceded by his cousin.
Policy | Attempts to decriminalise PMLA bad for India
India will be subject to mutual evaluation at the FATF later this year. A positive outcome for India is very crucial in its quest to become a major player internationally, particularly in securing a more transparent and stable financial system.
Budget 2020 Chart Point | How India's government spending stacks up with other emerging markets
Richer countries usually have higher government expenditure because they can afford to spend on social welfare thanks to their higher tax revenues.
