Page 17 - Editorial Comment

GST Council defers key decisions, tackles complexity of tax system

It was clarified that ready-to-eat popcorn mixed with salt and spices attracted a 5 per cent GST rate. It attracts a 12 per cent tax if supplied as pre-packed and labelled

EV growth faces charging woes even as carmakers push ahead with launches

India's charging infrastructure lags behind EV demand despite policy incentives

Fed's rate cut disappoints markets, sticky inflation adds to global woes

FOMC projections, dollar surge, and policy uncertainties pressure emerging markets

New Sebi norms: SIFs to target wealthy investors with high-risk appetite

The regulator has laid down a few investing rules and regulations for this strategy. The new product line may have offers across open-ended, close-ended, and interval investment strategies

Corporate governance improves, but India Inc must go beyond compliance

The survey showed 44 per cent of the Nifty 100 companies had between 50 and 74 per cent of NEDs, up from 35 per cent in FY21

Dissanayake's India visit marks positive shift in Sri Lanka's foreign ties

On Monday, statements from Mr Dissanayake assured India that he would not allow Sri Lankan territory to be used in a way that would be detrimental to India's interests

Simultaneous polls: Gains must be weighed against Constitutional concerns

The idea of holding simultaneous elections is not new for India. In fact, elections for many years after Independence were held simultaneously

Lack of regulatory clarity could drive away private ESG finance for India

Political shift is affecting ESG investing

Bureaucratic interventions in the form of QCOs hurt Indian manufacturing

Steel is a case in point. The industry is naturally concerned about the impact of overcapacity in China, which might render Indian-made steel uncompetitive

Chessboard promises: Gukesh's win reflects India's growing prowess

Gukesh, for instance, has a five-year sponsorship deal, and his campaign for the world title was backed by a team of six top players who helped with analysis and preparation

Letter and spirit: Constitution will help fulfil citizens' aspirations

The biggest example of its success is the continued peaceful transition of power, reflecting the people's will

Demand-supply mismatch: Affordable housing shortage must be addressed

A Knight Frank study shows that India will face an affordable housing shortage of 31.2 million units by 2030. There is already an existing shortage of 10.1 million units

Marketing reforms: India's agri-marketing system needs an upgrade

Agricultural reforms should, therefore, not remain limited to factor-market reforms, but should also include efforts to liberalise constraints to marketing

Lingering debt danger: External debt levels dangerously high globally

The IDR focuses specifically on external debt and classifies countries by income level

What extending T+0 settlement to 500 stocks may mean for market liquidity

According to the Sebi circular, the T+0 cycle will be available on an optional basis for the top 500 companies by market capitalisation from January 31, 2025

Turning the page: Focus on external front new RBI governor's first test

Mr Das' term over the past six years was fairly challenging for both the Indian economy and the RBI, largely because of the pandemic

Reckoning in Syria: Bashar al-Assad's ouster adds to West Asian tumult

al-Assad's overthrow was the result of the distractions of his chief backers, the Iran-sponsored Hezbollah and Russian President Vladimir Putin

SME platform reforms: Sebi focuses on safeguarding retail investors

The regulator had in May 2010 prescribed a revised framework for setting up a stock exchange or a trading platform (by the existing stock exchanges) with terminals across the country for SMEs

A level playing field: Supreme Court removes asymmetry in PPP contracts

Ensuring a level playing in arbitration is critical, given the rapidly expanding involvement of the private sector in the government's infrastructure programme

Fed's future path: Donald Trump's election victory increases uncertainty

Higher tariffs and tax cuts will benefit American companies but will increase inflation and the Budget deficit. This explains the different positions of the debt and equity markets