GOI GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
GoI must focus on equitable growth and quality employment
The recent Annual Survey on Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) is a valuable source on informal enterprises provided by GoI that promises to tell us about these voters whose dreams lie unfulfilled. They have struggled in the world’s largest informal economy, India, in jobs without social protections and with lower pay.
Why Budget 2024 must have more than Sensex on its radar
Budget 2024: The Union budget is set to dominate headlines in India, with the question of whether realpolitik or coalition compulsions will dictate the budget's economic policy. The interplay between economics and politics is not new to India, as it is part of elected democracies. The BJP's performance fell short of expectations due to inflation and unemployment, both factors within the domain of economic policy.
Like EV-making moths to FAME 3
India is preparing for the launch of the third edition of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, aiming to cater to the aspirations of an increasingly affluent and environmentally-conscious population. This initiative seeks to enhance the competitiveness of the auto sector while promoting sustainable practices in transportation. The new 'localisation' requirement, mandating certified levels of local sourcing in EV manufacturing, aims to broaden participation in the EV sector despite potential challenges.
It's time for GoI to expose biased global rankings & create honest indices in India
India's falling rankings in global indices, such as the Global Gender Gap index and Corruption Perceptions Index, raise concerns despite its rapid progress in digitalisation. The country's low rankings in various global indices, including the UN's e-Government Development Index and International Telecommunication Union's ICT Development Index, highlight a disconnect between its economic growth and global recognition.
India Inc braces for revenue uncertainties in Q1 on slow govt spending, monsoon onset: Icra
Corporates are preparing for revenue uncertainties in the April-June period due to a slowdown in government spending and the onset of the monsoon season, as reported by domestic rating agency Icra. Sequential revenue growth is expected to taper in the first quarter of the fiscal, with a 6.
View: Time to reskill the skilling plan
India's 'Skill India' initiative has improved access to quality education and skilling, including new ITI capacities, increased apprenticeship engagement, and the launch of Skill India Digital Hub. The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) envisions integrating skilling into all education forms, inspiring reforms like the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
- Go To Page 1
"Interests of citizens of India are safeguarded by GoI": BJP's V Muraleedharan on Kerala Minister's visit to Kuwait
BJP leader V Muraleedharan has defended the decision of Kerala Health Minister Veena George to travel to Kuwait to coordinate the relief operation following a fire incident in Kuwait that killed 45 Indians, primarily from Kerala. Muraleedharan argued that the interests of Indian citizens living abroad are protected by the Indian government, and that the state minister's travel to a foreign country is unnecessary.
Now, here's an India plan
The path to a developed economy by 2047 needs to be sustainable and inclusive. Boosting rural consumption is an immediate requirement. But this can't come at the cost of a disconnected fiscal policy, which may create an untenable level of debt. Similarly, physical and digital infrastructure development needs to be addressed more consciously, keeping in mind broader societal needs and environmental challenges.
Witness to a sweating bandhgala ceremony
Making ministers sweat may show the nation that GoI means business. But a sweating cabinet with the bhavan's 12 Tuscan pillars looking on doth not a classical picture make. Usually used for ceremonial receptions of visiting heads of state and government, and for the 'change of guard' ceremony, those occasions usually take minutes, not over 2 hours.
Mandate 2024 is about making economic governance the new govt's centrepiece
Even though India is experiencing an 8.2% growth rate, the real political question is whether the people feel this growth. Opinions will vary, but the essential takeaway is that much more needs to be done, as indicated by the mandate in Lok Sabha elections.
View: GOI has the solution of India's economic puzzle but it needs to let go fiscal hesitations
India's economy is thriving with 8.2% GDP growth, strong public investment, and tax revenues. However, weak consumer demand and private capex remain issues. To boost growth, the government should create more public sector jobs, increasing incomes and consumption, funded by local savings.
Vodafone Idea shares jump 12% after CARE revises ratings upwards
Vodafone Idea shares experienced a significant surge of 12% intraday, reaching a high of 14.85 on the NSE on Wednesday. This uptick followed an announcement from rating agency CARE Ratings, which upgraded the company's Long Term Bank Facilities from B+ to BB+, with a stable outlook. Additionally, the Short Term Bank Facilities were upgraded from A4 to A4+.
Why should reforms now be a problem? Freebies, promised or delivered, didn’t work. Labour, trade, education & privatisation reforms await
Voters in the recent election have sent a clear message: they value responsible spending over freebies. At the national level, the NDA government, despite a reduced majority, was preferred over a challenger promising unattainable giveaways. Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, the incumbent government, known for excessive freebies, faced a resounding defeat. The takeaway for future governments is to spend taxpayer money judiciously, prioritizing essential functions like infrastructure, education, health, and defence.
Reality behind the 8.2% FY24 GDP growth is not as robust
The 8.2% FY24 GDP growth reflects a modest deceleration from 3QFY24 at 8.6%. Real gross value added growth slowed considerably in 4QFY24 to 6.3% from 8.3% in 1QFY24.
View: Whichever way you cut it, the economy’s booming and is a welcome gift for the incoming government
The Indian economy is booming with a GDP growth of 8.2% for 2023-24, surpassing estimates. The National Statistics Office data highlights this growth despite challenges in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture.
Leave gaming to the real mai-baap
Gaming is a significant industry in India, with around 57 million active gamers, the second-largest globally after China. Children, youngsters, and women form a significant part of this user base, enabled by increased broadband penetration, smartphone adoption, and local content creation. However, the government is considering imposing time and spending limits on gamers to address gaming addiction, sparking concerns about state overreach. Instead, the focus should be on raising awareness about screen time and letting parents make informed choices, rather than intrusive regulations.
RBI dividend will have economic dividends
RBI came into this windfall because of high interest rates in advanced economies, which may persist before an eventual cyclical inversion. The strength of India's recovery from the pandemic also contributed to the RBI surplus, and monetary policy would be inclined to pursue this course by easing interest rates ahead of the pack. Inflation is offering comfort on the demand side for an interest rate downcycle. Food inflation, less amenable to demand management, remains a concern.
How GoI’s post-poll domestic authority will shape New Delhi’s geopolitics
With India's key strategic partner Russia more firmly entrenched and aligned with China in 2024, the domestic political authority the next government in New Delhi brings to the table - and the way it deploys this capital - will hold the key to how it can position itself at the start of a turbulent phase between a relatively stronger, expanding Russia-China arc of power and a politically strife-ridden democratic coalition of powers.
'NASA-type' NSA: Why India's next National Security Adviser should be a space scientist
If the Government of India decides to appoint a new National Security Adviser (NSA) in June, it should consider someone outside the traditional choices of diplomats or spymasters. The role of the NSA should be more like the American model, focusing on coordination between security-related government wings. India's previous NSAs have varied in their approaches, with some acting more like deputy prime ministers. A space scientist could bring a fresh perspective, especially considering India's advancements in space technology and the strategic importance of space in defense and telecommunications.
Post-Covid capex pumps PSU muscles
A reappraisal of PSUs, however, could slow the longer trend of GoI getting out of business. And it needs to filter out the temporary effects of economic management. PSU banks are unlikely to retain their new-found health against private competitors for an extended period. Government capex, similarly, has a shelf life, after which private investment is expected to take over. That means companies borrowing from the cheapest lender, often from abroad, to build capacities. Neither consumption- nor investment-led growth assures a special place for PSUs. They will have to compete.
Disincentivise crop burning effectively
GoI directs states to withhold MSP benefits from stubble-burning farmers, following Supreme Court's disincentive recommendation. Strategies like in-situ residue management face challenges due to quick field-clearing through burning, slow implementation, and inadequate outreach to farmers.
Are Meta and GoI really tussling over encryption? Or are we watching covert mutualism at play?
Despite seemingly insurmountable issues, India continues to be WhatsApp's second-fastest growing market, and is regularly used by Meta to test-launch new services that it hopes to monetise, like WhatsApp Business API - arguably a future money-spinner as a customer relationship management (CRM) tool for SMEs - WhatsApp Flows and WhatsApp payments.
WhatsApp, take it easy, seek the law
WhatsApp's encryption and compliance with law enforcement raise complex issues. While governments can seek information for law enforcement, WhatsApp's threat to stop services if encryption is diluted may not be effective. Indian courts have limited fundamental rights before, so finding a middle ground is crucial. WhatsApp may find success in arguing for compliance if data storage becomes unsustainable, but the wide reach of India's new data privacy law complicates this. Adaptation to local conditions and legal frameworks is key for WhatsApp, rather than making vague threats.
Implementers, arise!
Policy formulation and policy implementation happen at two very different levels. Formulation involves think tanks, academia and policymakers primarily working in GoI agencies. Implementation involves grassroots-level officials, and district-, municipal- and panchayat-level functionaries. Unfortunately, there is a huge gap in the levels of education, knowledge and understanding between both levels.
View: Defence exports have witnessed a considerable uptick, even as some bottlenecks need removing
Narendra Modi's dialogue on India's defence exports with Vladimir Putin in September 2022 led to a remarkable surge of ₹21,083 crore in 2023-24. This growth, driven by various initiatives and partnerships, underscores the evolving landscape of India's defence industry. 2023-24 has witnessed a big increase, from ₹15,920 crore in 2022-23 to ₹21,083 crore, representing an increase of 32.43%. Notwithstanding the pandemic serving as a dampener, at no stage before the last decade have Indian defence exports experienced such a steep upward trajectory.
Don't make bail a coin toss
The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to AAP MP Sanjay Singh has reignited the discussion on India's bail system. The court has emphasized that bail should be the norm, not the exception, highlighting the importance of personal liberty. However, the current system often leads to indiscriminate arrests and overcrowded prisons. To address these issues, the government should consider enacting a separate bail act to streamline the process and ensure access to bail for all citizens. A change in mindset that upholds the presumption of innocence until proven guilty is also crucial.
Getting viksit needs a proper 360° plan
Ensuring that plans for 2025-35 leave no one behind will require getting the best and widest possible inputs. As ministries factor these in to draw up their plans, they will need to undertake impact assessments of different pathways to become viksit by 2047. This is essential to identify the best possible pathways to achieve the target.
Transformative policy initiative
For startups spearheading indigenous EV solutions, this presents an invaluable opportunity to leverage global expertise and expedite technological advancements toward localised production under the Make in India initiative. Nevertheless, while the new EV policy marks a significant stride forward, challenges persist on the road ahead.
Will GOI participate? Sanjiv Bhasin on Voda Idea plans to raise Rs 45,000 crore via equity and debt
Vodafone plans to raise Rs 45,000 crore, with the success depending on the right issue, promoter participation, capex, and the Government of India's reaction. The fundraising will provide breathing space and help Vodafone stay in the fray for 5G. it is a positive in a way that they have at least addressed the big problem of fundraising but one has to see how they are going to manage that.
Load More
