Political ploys initially hailed as master-strokes often end up as flops. I suspect this will happen to the Rs 60,000 crore farm loan waiver announced in the budget. It writes off 100% of overdues of small and marginal farmers holding […]
Loan waiver: Not an election winner Read More »
For a short but incisive economic history of India since Independence, you should read the first hundred pages of Arvind Panagariya’s new book (India: The Emerging Giant, OUP). He follows this up with an excellent discussion of key contemporary problems,
The high cost of delayed reform Read More »
Dear finance minister, You are about to present your fifth and last full budget in your current term. Next year, you can present only a vote on account because a general election is due in May 2009. So, you will
Election budgets don\’t win votes Read More »
Dear finance minister, You are about to present your fifth and last full budget in your current term. Next year, you can present only a vote on account because a general election is due in May 2009. So, you will
Election budgets don\’t win votes Read More »
The IMF prescribed severe austerity and economic shrinkage. You chaps have been living beyond your means for years, it said, and have severe structural problems that cannot be reflated away. So, you need bitter monetary medicine (sky-high interest rates) and
Is IMF austerity only for the poor? Read More »
TNN I was taught in college that market failure is so common that governments must intervene with regulations to protect the public. Actually, regulations are required even when there is no market failure. Competition needs to take place within a
Regulate the regulators to ensure higher standards Read More »
The IMF prescribed severe austerity and economic shrinkThey loved Indira Gandhi\’s garibi hatao socialism in the 1970s, which raised the peak income tax rate to 97.75%, along with a stiff wealth tax. At one post-budget press conference, I asked what
Paying record taxes is bliss Read More »
What is the best way of reducing poverty? The UPA government has highlighted its rural employment guarantee scheme (NERGA). It has allotted huge sums to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (education for all) and irrigation. It has increased spending on rural electrification
Roads will lead to rural prosperity Read More »
NEW DELHI: It should be an election budget. So, expect higher exemption limits for income tax, cuts in corporate tax and customs duty, selective cuts in excise duty, and big spending on welfare and social schemes in the coming budget.
Expect more: This year it is an Election Budget Read More »
Does the crash of stock markets in India and other emerging markets mean that the “decoupling” thesis — the notion that emerging-market economies can continue soaring even if the US economy dips — has been proved wrong? Not exactly. What
Emerging markets: Future safe havens Read More »
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