Page 99 - Economy & Policy Analysis
On the economy, the Modi government deserves the flak it is getting
From a lack of big reforms to regressive tax policies, the Modi govt has surrendered its initial momentum
Factories with up to 40 workers may be kept out of major labour laws
Union Cabinet to take a call this week
 "Factories with up to 40 workers may be kept out of major labour laws")
Assocham study flags supply issues for high vegetable prices
The industry body also found the gap between inflation based on WPI and CPI widening, pointing to supply chain inefficiency
 "Assocham study flags supply issues for high vegetable prices")
WPI inflation to average at 3.7% in FY16: D&B
The factors that are likely to pose upside risk to WPI inflation include administered price corrections, weak agricultural production and geo-political issues
 "WPI inflation to average at 3.7% in FY16: D&B")
Rural stress affects farmers even in prosperous states
Greater adoption of cash crops combined with a collapse in the prices of agri-commodities has led farmers to the brink in major agricultural areas
 "Rural stress affects farmers even in prosperous states")
Many knots in Delhi's anti-corruption helpline
While the Delhi government's much-publicised helpline is making the right noises, there are issues with jurisdiction and legalities that need to be ironed out
 "Many knots in Delhi's anti-corruption helpline")
Going back on promises
The proposal for a Public Debt Management body announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the annual budget speech in February, has now been rolled back
 "Going back on promises")
States not on fiscal consolidation path: Nomura
Nomura says Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are 'better-managed states' while West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab rank the lowest
 "States not on fiscal consolidation path: Nomura")
 "Biz leaders meet FM; want simpler tax return forms")
Deficient rainfall not a risk to inflation or GDP
GDP rise, low inflation could continue despite drier monsoon
 "Deficient rainfall not a risk to inflation or GDP")
Climate change: Moving beyond the rhetoric
Indian diplomats should know by experience that it is the fine print and not rhetoric that will determine the impact of the Paris Agreement later this year
 "Climate change: Moving beyond the rhetoric")
Maharashtra needs over Rs 12 lakh crore to house its poorest: KPMG
According to the KPMG report, in urban areas alone, Maharashtra will need 5 million new homes by 2022, adding about 50% to its current housing stock
 "Maharashtra needs over Rs 12 lakh crore to house its poorest: KPMG")
Why Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is Pranab Mukherjee 2.0 for the markets
The Finance Minister has failed to assuage markets' fears on the issue of retrospective tax
 "StatsGuru: Taking stock of key numbers for India and China")
Reconverted protestors still unsure about saving their homes
Having even taken recourse to changing their faith to save their houses from being razed, the residents of Rampur's Valmiki Basti now hope better political sense prevails
 "Reconverted protestors still unsure about saving their homes")
Even as agricultural income rises, Andhra Pradesh plans industrial future
The industrial thrust includes a special industrial city, auto-manufacturing zones, 14 new ports, 3 intl airports, and a 2-lakh-acre land bank for industries
 "Even as agricultural income rises, Andhra Pradesh plans industrial future")
 "Disinflationary trends quicken in March")
 "Why are oil prices fluctuating?")
Demand for petroleum products likely to rise
India expected to consume 167 mt of refined fuels in 2015-16, against an estimated 162 mt in 2014-15
 "Demand for petroleum products likely to rise")
Lower crude prices boost outlook on petrol subsidy
Geopolitical tensions, cutback in shale output could impact scenario