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Beyond Budget Headlines: Govt should standardise income-tax rates, widen base

The year 2020 was no ordinary year and so the Budget 2021 will also not be an ordinary budget. We have had enough indication from the government that the public spending momentum will continue and fiscal deficit will not be a big cause of worry for the Finance Minister. But what should Budget do to boost investment and spur economic recovery? Don't underestimate the importance of increasing investment, says Business Standard's in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya, as the demand recovery will require more investment to be made. Watch the fourth episode of our special pre-Budget video series, Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB, to also learn why shrinking tax base is a huge challenge and bank recapitalisation is the need of the hour.

BS views of the week: Why companies cut wages when profits soared

From how economies and economics changed in 10 years to India's trade isolation through increasingly protectionist policies, and more. Here's what Business Standard columnists wrote this week.

India's coronavirus vaccine wait is over: Final approval for these shots

India's drugs regulator on Sunday approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. The approval by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) was given on the basis of recommendations submitted by a COVID-19 subject expert committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Sourav Ganguly health updates: Stable after angioplasty at Kolkata hospital

BCCI president and former India skipper Sourav Ganguly Saturday suffered a "mild" heart attack and had to undergo a quick "primary angioplasty" to clear a blocked coronary artery, a doctor said. The cricket icon is conscious and his condition is being monitored. He was diagnosed with three blocked coronary arteries after which a stent was inserted in one to remove the blockage, Dr Saroj Mandal, whose team performed the procedure at private Woodlands Hospital, said.

A sunrise of hope, happiness: India rings in New Year with prayers, parties

From 2021's first sunrise, farmers at Delhi borders' prayers, to celebrations across the nation, we bring to you visuals that will give you a sense of how the country welcomed New Year despite the pandemic.

CBSE board exams 2021: Dates announced by Education Minister Pokhriyal

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct classes 10 and 12 exams from May 4 to June 10 next year, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' announced on Thursday. Practical examinations will be conducted from March 1. The results of the board exams will be announced by July 15. Watch the announcement video.

Modi's mantra for 2021 as India set for world's 'largest' vaccination drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said people should not let their guard down and strictly abide by coronavirus preventive norms even after vaccination. Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rajkot through video conferencing, Modi said the number of new coronavirus cases are decreasing in the country. "I used to say 'jab tak davai nahi dhilai nahi' but now our mantra for 2021 should be: Davai bhi, kadaai bhi (yes to medicine and yes to caution)," Modi said.

Watch: Team India welcomes Rohit Sharma in style, MCG honours for Rahane

Star batsman Rohit Sharma has joined the Indian team here after completing his two-week quarantine in Sydney, bolstering the tourists who are on a high after scripting an incredible comeback in the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia. Days after recording their lowest Test total of 36 in the series-opener in Adelaide, the Indian team staged a remarkable turnaround to humble Australia by eights wickets and level the rubber at the MCG.

Vistadome tourist coaches to make train journeys 'memorable' for passengers

December 2020 added another feather to the cap of the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) as its new design vistadome tourist coach successfully completed the 180 kmph trial run. These coaches are equipped with air-spring suspension in secondary stage for better ride comfort, large glass windows and glass roof that boast electrically controlled opalescence, transparent roof for the passengers to get a panoramic view of their journey, observatory lounge with a larger window at one end. Watch the video to know more

Will vaccines work against new strains? Govt's take and other Covid updates

India has reported at least six cases of the new coronavirus strain detected in the UK, prompting the government to direct genome sequencing of samples from all passengers who arrived in India from December 9 to 22 and tested positive for Covid-19 or were symptomatic as it ramped up the surveillance and containment strategy. A temporary ban on the flights connecting to the United Kingdom has been extended beyond December 31 to January 7, Union Minister Hardeep Puri said as authorities stressed the need to remain vigilant, noting that though the cases have been declining in India, they are on the rise globally and the new strain detected in the UK had spread to several countries.

IAF Chief on China's game plan, 'pawn' Pakistan and Galwan 'misadventure'

Pakistan's dependence on China is going to increase as the country is set to reel under a Chinese debt-trap, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said India's "most important" national security challenge is to understand China, its "possible game plan" and the deepening and evolving Sino-Pak relationship.

India's first driverless train for Delhi Metro: All you need to know

India's first-ever driverless train operations on the Delhi Metro's Magenta Line was on Monday inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said his government unlike its predecessors has taken growing urbanisation as an opportunity and asserted that metro train services will be extended to 25 cities by 2025 from the current 18 cities. The driverless trains of Delhi Metro will offer more reliability due to reduced human intervention, and are equipped with hi-tech cameras and obstruction sensing devices to ensure safety of passengers.

Beyond Budget Headlines with AKB: Why bad banks are a bad, bad idea

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been saying that Budget 2021 will not be like any other before. What might that mean? Coming against the backdrop of a pandemic that has, arguably, wrecked the economy like never before, it could mean she has more big-ticket relief measures up her sleeve. But it could also mean, says Business Standard's in-house policy expert A K Bhattacharya, that she is preparing the nation for something unpleasant -- something like a one-time Covid tax to raise additional funds to push through more spending and help expedite economic recovery. Watch this video to also learn which big schemes could get more funding and which the axe, and if setting up multiple bad banks would be a good idea.

BS view of the week: It was not just Covid-19 that made 2020 one of the worst years

From what the jobs data tells us about economic recovery in the third quarter to why the elderly should be prioritised for vaccination over even frontline workers, and more. Here's what Business Standard columnists wrote this week.

PM Modi slams Mamata govt for 'blocking central benefits' to farmers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday squarely blamed those with political agenda for the deadlock in the government's talks with protesting farmers and said genuine apprehensions about MSP guarantee have got overshadowed by unrelated issues such as the release of those accused of violence and making highways toll-free.

Covid-19 impacts Christmas sales in Delhi, Mumbai

The Christmas is around the corner and markets in Mumbai and Delhi are all decked up in the festival season. But sales got affected this year due to Covid-19 pandemic. A few customers were seen at the market but the buzz was missing.

Facebook to offer more security features in 2021

New Delhi, Dec 24 (ANI): Social media giant Facebook said it will start allowing users to prepare physical safety keys as a way to confirm their identity before logging into the social network's mobile app, beginning next year. According to Mashable, the Mark Zuckerberg-owned company is now offering a choice to use a hardware security key to connect to one's desktop computer prior to each log-in. The users could purchase a hardware key through retailers, and register with Facebook, the social media giant said, confirming an earlier report by Axios. The world's biggest social network said it also intends to enlarge 'Facebook Protect', that is, its own security program for high-profile accounts for example election applicants, to more kinds of accounts globally next year. Presently available in the US, Facebook Protect offers a means for politicians, government agencies, and election personnel to set up additional safety provisions such as two-factor authentication and real-time tracking

These 25 stocks could give best returns over next 25 years

Was your 2020 financially rough? Here's some help. Motilal Oswal Financial Services has released its 25th Annual Wealth Creation Study 2020 where it has shortlisted 25 stocks that are likely to deliver handsome returns over the next 25 years. Watch the video to learn more about these stocks.

Covid, cancer, weight loss, pregnancy: Key research-based health updates

Why Covid-19 accelerates stroke risk, eating avocado daily keeps gut healthy and other research-based health updates from across the globe that you should know

All flights to and from UK suspended till Dec 31: Passengers who arrived from UK sent to quarantine

The new strain of coronavirus, dubbed the "B.1.1.7 lineage" and believed to be far more infectious, has worried countries around the world, many of which, including India, have imposed travel bans on the UK.