Surjit Bhalla

Budget 2025-26 needs to be a big, bold budget. Disposable income of Middle Class is down from 2011, higher tax collections are not because incomes are up. The budget needs to act on taxation and FDI. India’s protectionist policies are helping big businesses which are the deep state.

Economists, policymakers spar over India's growth narrative ahead of national election

India may be the fastest-growing large economy, but two sets of economists and policymakers – current and former – don't see eye to eye when it comes to the underlying growth story.

Tax collection in India one of the highest, reduce direct tax to 25% from 40%: Surjit Bhalla

The Budget 2023-24 had lowered India's highest rate of income tax from 42.74 per cent, by reducing the surcharge applicable on high net-worth individuals.

Economist Surjit Bhalla quits PM’s economic advisory panel

The EAC- PM is headed by Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy. Economists Rathin Roy, Ashima Goyal and Shamika Ravi are other part-time members.

Inflation targeting has zero impact on price situation: Surjit Bhalla

Bhalla also said that real interest rate, which is the difference between the nominal interest rate and inflation, is very high in India and not justified for an emerging economy.

Govt may stick to fiscal deficit target, says EAC’s Surjit Bhalla

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has already used up nearly all of its budget for the current fiscal year and tax revenues are expected to fall far short of initial expectations. At the same time economic growth has slowed, sparking calls for more stimulus.

India's economy seen rising through fog of data

Then India's statisticians re-worked the numbers, changing both the way it calculates gross domestic product and the base year. Suddenly the economy appeared to be motoring again.

Math proves that Sonia's Food Security Bill is a big hoax

It's now time to look even at the moral arguments closely. And expose the Congress party‘s claims that this bill is the answer to the problems of eliminating malnutrition and hunger. It was never intended to be that.

2G scam: PM less than alert and vigilant?

The BJP has claimed that the Prime Minister was given advance information on all the major charges against A Raja. This suggests that he was aware of what Raja was doing and was either complicit or negligent. But is that accusation fair?

Cabinet reshuffle deeply disappointing, say experts

It is still unclear whether yesterday's government reshuffle sent a clear and welcome message to corporate India or it was confusing and even disconcerting. What is Jairam Ramesh's replacement at environment by Jayanthi Natarajan held and do we have the right ministers manning infrastructure?

Is the govt faltering from focus on economy? Experts debate

As the government appears to be swamped by scams, hunger fast and the Lokpal logjam, many in the industry are asking, does it have the time to manage India’s crumbling economy? Karan Thapar discusses with guests on India Tonight.

Should Air India be privatised?

With the Air India strike stretching into a week there are many people who claim that the best solution is to privatise the airline.

Direct cash subsidy: Will it improve delivery?

The government’s decision to move towards direct transfer of cash subsidy for kerosene, LPG and fertiliser has been held by some as a major attempt to improve delivery and circumvent corruption but others have serious reservations. Beyond that there are also questions about whether a full-proof system can be put in place in a country like India.