Page 19 - Economy & Policy Analysis
Will govt compromise on capex for fiscal consolidation ahead of polls?
National Democratic Alliance governments have not compromised on capex for fiscal consolidation so far, at least in their concluding years
 "Will govt compromise on capex for fiscal consolidation ahead of polls?")
Power equipment sector's order book charged up on transmission projects
Between April to December 2023, close to 35 projects worth Rs 60,000 crore were offered under tariff-based competitive bidding
 "Power equipment sector's order book charged up on transmission projects")
Sugar production falls again, dips 7.7% to 11.2 mn tonnes in Oct-Dec: NFCSF
NFCSF has projected the country's total sugar output to be at 305 lakh tonnes in the 2023-24 season, lower than 330.90 lakh tonnes achieved in the 2022-23 season
 "Sugar production falls again, dips 7.7% to 11.2 mn tonnes in Oct-Dec: NFCSF")
Bilateral trade between India, Bangladesh down during pre-election season
Bangladesh is set to hold its 12th general election on January 7 and the pre-election atmosphere has cast a shadow on the cross-border trade
 "Bilateral trade between India, Bangladesh down during pre-election season")
Everyone wants to do an FTA with India due to rapidly growing market: GTRI
The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that by implementing a trade deal (FTA) with India, countries can access the Indian market with less or no import duties on substantial trade
 "Everyone wants to do an FTA with India due to rapidly growing market: GTRI")
High indebted Punjab, Himachal may breach BE of fiscal deficit in FY24
Punjab had over 40% debt as a proportion of GSDP in 2019-20 too, while Himachal Pradesh had 39.1%
CRISIL analysis: Moderation in input prices to ease pressure on margins
Apart from creating a presence in generics, larger players are also developing specialty products, biosimilars, and complex generics, which will be key medium-term growth drivers for the industry
 "CRISIL analysis: Moderation in input prices to ease pressure on margins")
Nine states, 2 UTs see rising fiscal deficits post-pandemic: PHDCCI report
"States are classified as resilient if their fiscal deficit as a percentage of GSDP has decreased from the pre-pandemic to the post-pandemic period," the report says
 "Nine states, 2 UTs see rising fiscal deficits post-pandemic: PHDCCI report")
Growth momentum continues, but private consumption and capex weak
Momentum may not sustain into next year; policymakers should stay vigilant and build buffers
 "Growth momentum continues, but private consumption and capex weak")
Will India reassess its position on China-backed Asian trade bloc RCEP?
However, that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are veering towards the RCEP compounds an already complex situation for India
 "Will India reassess its position on China-backed Asian trade bloc RCEP?")
The great employment question: Is the job market shrinking or transforming?
Latest PLFS shows unemployment rate fell to its lowest level of 3.2% in July-June 2022-23
 "The great employment question: Is the job market shrinking or transforming?")
Railway capex budget rules encourage finance ministry to expand model
National transporter is managing its expenditure better after Ministry brought in a new model
 "Railway capex budget rules encourage finance ministry to expand model")
Record merchandise trade deficit in Oct likely to be a one-off: Analysts
India's merchandise trade deficit rose to an all-time high of $31.46 billion in October, widening sharply from the $19.37 billion print in prior month. Imports jumped from $65 billion from $53.8 bn
 "Record merchandise trade deficit in Oct likely to be a one-off: Analysts")
'Chai pe Charcha': IPAC's long political journey in the past 10 years
Over the years, IPAC has worked in Bihar, Delhi, Punjab, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, mostly with political parties that were either incumbents or considered strong challengers
 "'Chai pe Charcha': IPAC's long political journey in the past 10 years")
Ongoing ethnic violence takes a heavy toll on economy of Manipur
The retail inflation in Manipur remained one of the highest in the country at 9.7 per cent in September
 "Ongoing ethnic violence takes a heavy toll on economy of Manipur")
AI and antitrust: Balancing innovation with competition
As India's economy and businesses undergo a profound AI transition, the implications of Competition law are also becoming increasingly concerning
 "AI and antitrust: Balancing innovation with competition")
What does it take to decarbonise India's industrial base?
Decarbonising India's industrial juggernauts is not a distant dream anymore
 "What does it take to decarbonise India's industrial base?")
Odisha's turnaround in disaster management has lessons for the world
Battered by the 1999 Super Cyclone, Odisha invested in communities, infrastructure, and a stellar institution to lead from the front in building resilience
 "Odisha's turnaround in disaster management has lessons for the world")
Chhattisgarh reins in inflation at reasonable rates among poll-bound states
If the first six months of this financial year are taken into account, it was high inflation in Mizoram too though a bit less than the national average.
 "Chhattisgarh reins in inflation at reasonable rates among poll-bound states")
India's interests at stake as world trade talks take a green turn
Country has raised objections to European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
 "India's interests at stake as world trade talks take a green turn")