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Proxy battle over endosulfan

Strange is the interplay of money power, business interests and NGO politics. In most cases, farmers turn out to be victims. A recent notification of ...

Jupiter effect and Judo strategy

I doubt to what extent the community of economic stakeholders of every description — academics and specialists, professionals in think-tanks, media ...

A Budget that works for agriculture would be one that enhances investment in farms, spurs market intermediaries to improve their services, and brings about price stability. It should nudge policies towards more integrated markets.

Bogey of Brotherhood

For the US to try and pump some oxygen into the beleaguered Mubarak regime by raising the bogey of Islamists is a disservice to the cause of democracy.

An unbalanced recovery

While assessments vary in their detail, the consensus is that the recession that began in December 2007 and lasted 18 months has now, finally, been followed by recovery. The basis for such optimism is not, however, robust.

A tale of two Indias

The state in its earlier avatar failed to bridge the socio-economic gap between ‘modern' and ‘traditional' sectors. The duality persists in the current regime of market-led prosperity.

Perverse policy on kerosene

Subsidy on kerosene has given rise to a powerful mafia involved in adulteration and smuggling, as Mr Sonawane's killing brought to light. The best solution would be to raise the price of kerosene and, simultaneously, compensate the poor families who depend on it.

Semantics behind grouping of countries

Human mind loves to classify and categorise whatever things, features, events, happenings or phenomena it comes across, whether natural or manmade. In ...

Subsidies sans rationale

Sonawane's ultimate sacrifice should be a galling reminder to all concerned that it is time to scrap the dysfunctional system of kerosene subsidies and redirect resources to actually help the poor.

The impact of monetary policy

Output and WPI inflation respond along expected lines to rate hikes or cuts. But CPI inflation has been on the rise since 2001, irrespective of the monetary policy. This suggests that CPI inflation is more amenable to a supply-side response.

From sick-care for some to healthcare for all

The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, coming into force from August last year takes the people of India several steps ...

Raja's arrest reeks of political expediency

The arrest of Mr Raja is unlikely to improve DMK's image by a huge margin. Its only saviour will be poll arithmetic.

Sino-American ties delicately poised

The US President, Mr Barack Obama, has become more assertive in dealing with China but that has not significantly altered the bilateral balance of power. India should play its cards skilfully in the emerging multipolar world order.

Corporate governance redefined

An effective system of corporate governance would have to move beyond shareholder interests to consider the entire value system the company operates in.

‘Beware the fury of the patient man!'

This was the stern warning given by the then President, K. R. Narayanan, to those occupying seats of power and authority as well as those elected to ...

Getting closer to Indonesia

The Indonesian President's visit to India has prepared the ground for improved bilateral economic and strategic ties.

Unable to deal with the Dragon

The basics have not changed with Mr Hu's Washington visit. China's growing economic and military might are a cause of angst to the US.

The problem is the people

The policy mandarins in New Delhi cite rising incomes, thanks to high growth, as the cause of inflation. This story of optimism is not borne out by the growth of the unorganised sector. Besides, it is perverse to blame NREGA for inflation.

Davos: Nothing more than showy fraternising

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has acquired an enviable brand equity of sorts by virtue of the pretentious build-up it has given to itself as “an ...

Winning the future with innovation

The US President, Mr Barack Obama, devoted his entire State of the Union Address to the US Congress on January 25 to the tasks and challenges involved ...

Not enough to quell price rise

The choice before the RBI is to undertake the right policies of crushing inflation irrespective of the criticism it would have to face, or be condemned by history for inflicting inflation on the masses.

Akbarnama on Pakistan

For reasons obvious enough, M.J. Akbar's Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan (Harper Collins) is unlikely to get the warm reception Jaswant ...

Come clean on futures market tools

Dr Saumitra Chaudhari's criticism is best countered by placing in the public domain how the software deployed in the futures trading platforms performs the function of price discovery.

Case for generic farm policies

The diversity of production conditions needs to be recognised and the potential for increased productivity across regions tapped better.

Assign a year-long mission to each R-Day

One can be pretty sure that the mode of observance of the Republic Day today will be no different from what it has been all these years. There will be ...

The spectre of inflation

Persisting high inflation points to the failure of the Government to properly recognise and attempt to address structural tendencies and adopt appropriate short-term measures.

Outlook bright for precious metals this year

Upside potential for platinum, palladium too

For high growth sans inflation

India can reconcile its growth and inflation goals by reining in fiscal imbalances, and addressing marketing and productivity issues in agriculture. As an immediate price-control measure, perishables should be delisted from the APMC Act.

After the Cabinet reshuffle, what?

The Prime Minister himself described the Cabinet reshuffle carried out by him as ‘minor', but ‘damp squib' is more like it. Other than adding three ...

Yes, you can, Rahul Gandhi!

I can't understand why the spokespersons of the Congress Party had to be so very apologetic about Mr Rahul Gandhi's view, expressed during an ...

Ways and means of landing a job

A common form of nepotism is one where a government official, using his implicit power, makes successful recommendations for recruitment.

Corporates' response to liberalisation

One cannot still put one's finger on the extent to which India Inc has made use of the business opportunities opened up following liberalisation in ...

Threats to financial stability

When inflation spins out of control, as at present, there can be a jolt to the financial markets and an inevitable dislocation in credit. The widening current account deficit and rising external debt are disturbing trends.

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