Here is another way of looking at the price cut in petrol, diesel and LPG announced late Wednesday after approval by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs &mdash; consider it as a mini-stimulus package which manages to put some money in almost every pocket, and also perk up sentiment. And that too for an outlay of a mere Rs 1,100 crore a month, according to the initial cost estimates. This is a small drop in the subsidy ocean of Rs 106,000 crore estimated for the April-December period. The move will give some boost to the beleaguered auto industry (which should additionally be helped by the drop in interest rates), further temper inflation and perhaps indirectly stimulate a few decimal points more of economic growth during the current quarter. And to top it all, the government will get some brownie points with voters before the electoral code of conduct kicks in and before oil prices firm up.

Mini-stimulus, but...

Business Standard

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has done itself little good by claiming success in its test-firing of the BrahMos missile, till the media exposed the bogus nature of the claim. Even if the DRDO&rsquo;s position is accepted that the performance of the missile was normal till the last phase, when it began malfunctioning, the fact that a weapon meant to hit a precisely identified target missed the target completely leaves little room for quibbling on the middle ground between between success and failure. Admittedly, such fiascos are not uncommon when it comes to sophisticated technological systems. But when such failures become frequent, as is the case with the DRDO, a proper investigation into the causes is called for, especially when the organisation&rsquo;s claims about successes betray an unwillingness to look the facts in the eye.

Beyond the BrahMos failure

The country would like answers to three sets of questions.

Editorial: Three sets of questions

Over the past few weeks, most forecasters have lowered their expectations for India&rsquo;s GDP growth.

Editorial: Better than expected

Even before he takes his first meeting, Home Minister P Chidambaram has one thing going for him&mdash; he takes over from a man whose reputation was so poor that anything his successor does will be a

Editorial: Securing the home front

Manmohan Singh may be the best suited to take charge of the finance ministry after Mr Chidambaram&rsquo;s shift to the home ministry. The problem is that Dr Singh already has a full-time job.

Editorial: Needed: a full-time FM

The sharp drop of 12.1 per cent in exports during October (when counted in dollars), reflects the drop in global demand, which has adversely affected every country's export performance, including

Editorial: New BoP phase

The inchoate anger and frustration of Mumbai's articulate classes and their open declaration of a loss of faith in India's political leaders may or may not lead to anything of substance; indeed, it

Editorial: What&#39;s with these people?

Any response to the latest attack on India by Pakistan-based terrorists has to start with the question: Who is in charge in that benighted country? Is it Asif Ali Zardari, the country&rsquo;s

Editorial: Dealing with Pakistan

The International Energy Agency (IEA) visualises renewable energy (wind, solar and hydel) outgrowing gas-based energy and becoming the second largest source of electricity, after coal, as early as

Editorial: Neither sun, nor wind

Ending the ban on futures trading in four agricultural commodities &mdash; rubber, chana (chickpea), potato and soyabean oil &mdash; is a welcome indication of the government&rsquo;s intent to resume

Editorial: Reversal is not enough

The dispute between the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and two Anil Ambani-managed companies (BRPL and BYPL) that supply electricity to large sections of the capital, is important for

Editorial: Regulatory lessons

Perhaps it is fortunate that a first-year course in history at Indian colleges includes a paper on ancient India &mdash; because virtually the foundational reading for a newcomer to that field is

Editorial: High culture & democratic spirit

The Reserve Bank of India has done what was expected, addressing liquidity and cost of funds issues at two levels, in is announcements on Saturday.

The government&rsquo;s decision on Friday to cut petrol prices by Rs 5 per litre and diesel by Rs 2 per litre over the weekend achieves a roll back of the price increases announced in June this year,

Editorial: Cut with restraint

Voters have once again surprised the pundits.

Editorial: Draw in semi-finals

Following on the heels of the monetary policy measures announced by the Reserve Bank on Saturday, the government on Sunday proposed a series of fiscal measures intended to provide a boost to the

Editorial: Topping up

India&rsquo;s Islamic clergy and political leadership deserve applause for the dignity and steadying restraint they have shown in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Mumbai, when emotions ran

Editorial: New voice of moderation

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has done the right thing in not allowing investors to make early exits from close-ended schemes.

Editorial: Sensible moves

It is ironic that while one branch of the government, led by the Prime Minister, seeks to promote infrastructure expenditure as a growth stimulus, another branch seeks to restrict entry into this very

Editorial: Foreigners keep out

The global negotiations, under way in Poznan (Poland) on working out a successor to the Kyoto protocol on climate change that expires in 2012, have been strategically mistimed, and it would be a

Editorial: No change in climate

Incisive columns and editorial comment by top opinion leaders

Page 584 - Editorial Comment

Mini-stimulus, but...

Beyond the BrahMos failure

Editorial: Three sets of questions

Editorial: Better than expected

Editorial: Securing the home front

Editorial: Needed: a full-time FM

Editorial: New BoP phase

Editorial: What's with these people?

Editorial: Dealing with Pakistan

Editorial: Neither sun, nor wind

Editorial: Reversal is not enough

Editorial: Regulatory lessons

Editorial: High culture & democratic spirit

Editorial: Reversal is not enough

Editorial: Cut with restraint

Editorial: Draw in semi-finals

Editorial: Topping up

Editorial: New voice of moderation

Editorial: Sensible moves

Editorial: Foreigners keep out