Page 4 - Economy & Policy Analysis

Why GDP expansion by 20.1% in Q1 of FY22 is misleading

Distorted base of last year's stringent nationwide lockdown obscured devastation of second wave of Covid-19 that came with staggered state-wise curbs in Q1 of current fiscal

Q1 GDP more of a statistic rather than a reflection of the state of economy

These growth numbers will moderate going ahead, as the base effect becomes weaker provided there are no further lockdowns

Need to hasten the rollout of Rs 6 trn asset monetisation plan

Do we have plans in place where these assets have been identified and the route and pricing decided so that the NMP can be set in motion is the moot question

IBC reform helps insolvency professional assess avoidance transactions

Recent amendments by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board place the insolvency professional at the fulcrum of the resolution process.

Govt must ask exporters how diplomats can help

The External Affairs Ministry and the Commerce Ministry should interact with the exporters and find out what they actually need from our diplomats abroad and try to meet their specific requirements

Indian business: From safari suits to pin striped jackets after 1991

If India is now considered having the potential to be a leading economy, the 1991 reforms made it possible.

The family in a pandemic: Will we ever be able to travel with young kids?

A year and a half into the pandemic, policy makers have given little thoughtful guidance to families.

Large part of FM's stimulus package will work only in medium-term

The government and the central bank's credit measures appear to show India has gotten its priorities against a possible third wave of Covid-19.

Covid-19 impact is among growing complexities cities need to prepare for

A decalogue is needed to promote policies to transform our cities into healthier and protective living environments.

India, Brazil have competing views on inflation: One of them must be right

Which of the two approaches proves most effective will shape the lessons a generation of officials take from the pandemic.

Demonetisation, Covid-19 brought Indian economy to its knees: Kaushik Basu

Basu worries that a 'dispirited' India may be behind the country plummeting from one of the fastest growing economies towards the bottom of the heap in a short span of four years

Frequent run-ins with Indian govt cloud US big tech's expansion plans

India is a massive market for US tech giants, biggest for both Facebook and WhatsApp by user numbers and third for Twitter

Transgenders can't get state benefits as most official data ignores 'other'

Lack of means to record their preferred gender identities means that many Indians who identify as transgender are excluded from various social security benefits.

1947, 1970s, 2008: Inflation experts look back into history for lessons

Central bankers know how to raise benchmark interest rates, but they have less experience in calibrating the exit from quantitative easing.

MPC meet: RBI will reiterate the need for right policy mix, says expert

As India's early-stage recovery has been derailed by the second wave, the MPC will continue to focus on growth and maintain the status quo on policy rates and liquidity stance

June MPC meet crucial, may throw light on bias for policy in future

Over the last couple of months, there have been major unfavourable developments with regards to both growth and inflation.

India and the world want social media firms to do more for 'safe harbour'

As India tightens the noose of regulatory compliance around social media, there have been concerns about the dilution of the safe harbour provision in the country's Information Technology Rules.

Fed Reserve negotiating with itself on inflation as global economy recovers

Federal Reserve president James Bullard recently said that inflation is likely above 2% over the forecast horizon.

Time for India to rethink health insurance as Covid rips apart safety nets

Insurance plan launched two years ago to help over 107 million people hasn't improved access to health care, say Duke University researchers.

Covid-19: Depleting savings, falling incomes leave millions poor in India

Many economists are cutting their forecasts for the current fiscal year as rising unemployment and dwindling savings dim the chances of a double-digit growth