GDP Estimates: Smoke And Mirrors With Economic Statistics
Growth, expressed in percentages is misleading, particularly in a period when underlying statistics are in the grip of volatility, as seen in the pandemic years.
Goods and Services Tax: Faulty by Design
The political economy of the tax is particularly worrisome for two reasons. First, the tax threatens the foundational values of federalism. However, a less appreciated aspect of the tax has been the manner in which it has significantly skewed the pitch against smaller businesses.
The Mirage of an Economic Recovery
Sarkari economists have latched on to the latest estimates of national income and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) issued by the National Statistical Office on May 31, to assert yet again that India is on the verge of an economic recovery. Nothing could be more wrong.
LIC’s IPO: A Scam of Gigantic Proportions
The headlong rush to list LIC shows shocking disregard for public interest while pandering to the whims of speculative “investors”. The IPO’s pricing indicates that it is perhaps India’s biggest-ever privatisation scandal.
Economic Survey 2021-22: Glossing Over Travails of a Pandemic-Hit Economy
The Economic Survey, in keeping with the trend in recent years, paints a rosy picture of the economy, while sidestepping issues that are of concern to most Indians, still suffering in the wake of the pandemic. In keeping with the recent trend, it showers more management-style jargon.
Air India: Family Silver Sold for a Song
The Tatas’ acquisition of Air India threatens to create an oligopoly in the Indian aviation market. The sale is being ostensibly justified by Air India’s bleeding losses that were, in fact, caused by deliberate and egregious neglect of India’s oldest airline under liberalisation.
The Charade of a ‘Bad’ Bank
The entire exercise seems to be motivated by the desire to clean up the balance sheets of public sector banks so that these are dressed up for sale to private entities
Dismantling Regulatory Mechanisms Governing Vaccines
Having blundered on the COVID-19 vaccine front, the Narendra Modi government now appears to be pandering to the demands of the vaccine multinationals. They are demanding relaxation in three aspects of the Indian regulatory regime governing vaccines.
Farmers’ Protests in India: Then and Now
The Modi Government’s game plan behind passing the three farm laws; and the farcical manner in which it has entered into negotiations with the farmers’ groups. But the farmers have seen through every trick being played by the government.