In cricketing terms, Ben Bernankes innings as chairman of the board of governors of the US Federal Reserve System is a little like following a Don Bradman or a Brian Lara after they have scored a

New batsman in

Business Standard

The government is being needlessly tolerant of Pakistan and its role in the continuing war of terror against India and innocent civilians in this country. The Prime Minister has spoken his mind, both

Talking to a terror-sponsor

It is reported that the government is planning to have a common regulator for the entire transport sector. Is it sensible to have the same entity overseeing roads, railways, ports, shipping, airports

Regulatory megalomania

While 2 million subscribers get added to the telecom network every month, the congestion on the network has multiplied. In July, according to Trai, there were 86 Points of Interconnection (a PoI is

Regulatory stalemate

India continues to display a strange dichotomy with regard to protecting intellectual property rights. By now, there is probably consensus that, given the countrys human resource strengths and its

Patented problems

The move by developed countries to offer a $500-million aid package to the least developed countries (LDCs) in the on-going bargaining in the Doha round talks is not as simple as it seems. Nor is it

More trade, not aid

By clarifying that all equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS) would be eligible for tax benefits under Section 80 C of the Income Tax Act, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has only brought in

Partial relief

With tax collections not doing as well as expected in certain segments, it is obvious that Finance Minister P Chidambaram will be exhorting his taxmen to do their best to increase collections in what

The 38% problem

Going by recent news reports, there appears to have been a significant change in the relationship between the government and the Left parties in recent days. On a number of issues, positions have

Welcome give and take

The participatory note debate is coming to the boil again, with corrective options being debated before action begins. A participatory note (PN) is a derivative instrument with Indian shares as the

Investors in hiding

With the influx of migratory birds picking up with the onset of winter, the risk of the dreaded avian influenza (bird flu) hitting India is rising by the day. So also are the chances of an outbreak of

Preparing for the flu

By announcing the first cut in European sugar subsidies in nearly four decades, the European Union may think it has earned some brownie points in its negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

Not sweet enough

Last week, Parliaments Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture tabled its recommendations on the airport modernisation programme. 


Steady on course

The Food Safety and Standards Bill, 2005, introduced in the Lok Sabha but not passed in the just concluded monsoon session, has been awaited for long. It has taken over a decade of deliberations by

A new food law

While it is clear that there were lapses in the manner in which the erstwhile Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) was privatised, in that the major post-tender sops made available to BSES and NDPL were not

Was it worth it?

Unlike the earthquake that caused the tsunami last year, most natural disasters (including ones like Hurricane Katrina that has annihilated New Orleans) are predictable. In fact, the US National

Handling disasters

During the winter of 2004, the scare created over the bird flu menace had caused huge losses not only to the Rs 30,000-crore Indian poultry industry, the fourth largest in the world, but also to the

Bird flu warning

The UNDPs Human Development Report (HDR) has several development and deprivation indicators, but attention usually focuses on the human development index (HDI), based on per capita income (PPP GDP),

Half empty, half full

In recent public statements, Mr Chidambaram and RBI Governor YV Reddy have painted very rosy pictures about the state of the Indian economy.


Risks to consider

First it was the Bangalore Forum for IT, with several MNCs among its members, which decided to boycott the states premier annual IT show, Bangalore IT.in, to protest against the appalling condition

Save Bangalore

Many factors responsible for investors interest in India are now rapidly receding. 


A P: How did it all start?

Incisive columns and editorial comment by top opinion leaders

Page 357 - Editorial Comment