Page 85 - Bs Opinion

Give retirees the choice of variable annuities to hedge against inflation

Truth be told, the government can also benefit from a successful variable PPP. If private-sector employees adopt it, government employees could follow

The phoenix of India's financial system: Microfinance's path to recovery

Karnataka is going the Andhra, Assam way to take the microfinance industry head-on. Will it rise from the current mess?

Want free trade? May I introduce you to the tariff-driven reality

Free trade is a myth-not because it doesn't work, but because it doesn't exist. This is why democratic governments should come together and create a new trade regime to enforce balance

Hacking AI for the big bang: Exposing risks of sensitive data leaks

Given its mutable ethics, manipulating AI into yielding information on sensitive subjects, such as how to make nuclear bombs, is not difficult

Closing off the 'donkey route': Addressing human trafficking from India

There are many ideas on how to deal with this among the self-styled leaders of the Trump coalition, and it is possible that the President will try them all one by one

Time for light-touch but useful rule for fair consumer-facing services

Rules for consumer-facing services, such as cab aggregators, need to be reviewed to ensure both drivers and passengers are treated fairly

Budget's consumption bet: Tax cuts boost demand, capex lag poses risks

The gross fiscal deficit (GFD) target for 2025-26 has been budgeted at 4.4 per cent, a tad better than the 4.5 per cent target set out in 2021

Budget tweaks Customs duties to boost local manufacturing amid US tariffs

Average tariff levels: India's average import tariff stands at 17 per cent, while the trade-weighted rate is lower at 12 per cent, according to the World Trade Organization's 2024 report

Budget bets on tax cuts over capex-will it boost private investment?

An income-tax cut instead of a corporate tax cut in 2019 would have done more for the economy

The upside of Trump's disruptions: A push for better alternatives

India will come on his radar soon, but while we wait for Mr Trump's other disruptive shoes to drop, taking a helicopter view of his actions serves us better than reacting in a knee-jerk fashion

Increasing threshold: Ensuring more people contribute to income tax

The most important question is this: In a country at India's income level, is it right or wise to exempt those earning ₹12 lakh a year from the income-tax net?

Debt management: India must focus on sustained fiscal consolidation

Although public debt has gone up across the world after the pandemic, it is in India's interests to reduce it to a more manageable level

Looking beyond Budget to fund defence: Need for ambitious restructuring

The government cannot entirely overlook the need to evaluate and determine expenditure based on the military threats and capabilities of China and Pakistan

Becoming Bangalore: Roopa Pai's book explores the city's history, culture

The book is an introduction to the city as seen through the eyes of one of its own

Nuclear focus promising but risky; strong regulatory measures key

While accelerating nuclear adoption and private sector involvement, the government must ensure strong regulatory measures to maintain safety

Platforms for Viksit future: Driving growth without replacing kiranas

The fear that platforms will replace kiranas is misplaced. India needs a platform-driven economy to fuel growth and innovation

A new model: Revamping BIT calls for a fresh approach to boost FDI

With India facing consequences such as having its foreign assets seized as a result, government has essentially been defensive, including terminating BITs with some 75 countries between 2016 and 2021

Prepare to bargain: India must create a strategy to deal with US tariffs

The tariffs on Canada and Mexico are so high precisely because the President will want to sort out a favourable deal with these two neighbours as soon as possible

Budget 2025: Govt shows resolve to take bold steps for transforming economy

Among the key pillars of this Budget, as highlighted by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is a sweeping regulatory reform agenda aimed at reducing red tape and fostering a pro-business environment

Union Budget 2025: Setting a road map to transform India's economy

The people, economy, and innovation underpin the investment strategy of the Government