Page 29 - Economy & Policy Analysis

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.

How should cryptocurrency be taxed in India? Here are some thoughts

Cryptocurrencies have generated a lot of interest for investors of all ages due to recent increase in value. It is estimated that roughly a crore Indians have invested in cryptocurrencies

Facebook, Twitter critics in US are gifting ammo to authoritarian regimes

Illiberal leaders have adopted the language and legal tools being wielded by activists and politicians in the US.

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.

Economic theory says inequality will rise as international trade grows

Robin Hoodism - robbing the rich to pay the poor - isn't consistent with either democratic ideals or trust in government

In India's pandemic, the rich buy luxury cars and the poor lose their homes

Obsessed with keeping a lid on borrowing costs, the government is making things worse for the common man by its regressive consumption taxes.

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.

Turbocharge upstream oil & gas sector to hasten India's post-Covid recovery

The companies could be asked to commit to channeling the tax relief into boosting production from ageing fields, which would yield longer-term dividend for the government coffers

Digital divides in Covid-19 vaccination must be resolved strategically

Such divides may lead to inequities and hamper processes of re-opening the economy, writes Sabyasachi Saha.

The ITC tangle on Covid-19 related expenses

Regardless of whether it is incurred for employees or social causes, Input Tax Credit (ITC) being the backbone of GST is a major matter of concern for taxpayers incurring COVID-19 related expenditure

Divergence in revenue estimates due to early Budget or lack of discipline?

Provisional actuals of the Budget for 2020-21 have once again varied sharply from the revised estimates. The variation provides fiscal cushion, but also raises several questions

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.

Q4 GDP numbers: Carving FY22 recovery amidst Covid setbacks

Indeed, while FY21 GDP reinforces the sharp slowdown in growth in a pandemic year, it also offers a low base for a mechanical bounce in FY22 recovery

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.

Easier said than done but India should buy Chinese Covid-19 vaccines

There cannot be a bigger national interest right now than saving Indians from avoidable death.