In microfinance, big is beautiful
There is an inevitable good fallout from the government's recent proposal to limit the interest rate levied by large microfinance institutions getting priority sector loans from banks. Of Kisan Swaraj and farmer suicides
Kisan Swaraj Yatra's revival of 'Jai Kisan' is loaded with challenges because it must contend with a tangled coil. Beware! The honey sold in India is highly toxic
CSE has found a cocktail of mostly banned and severely prohibited antibiotics in honey. Getting to know the India that is Bharat
It is heartening to know that, on the eve of the formulation of India's 12th Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission is making an attempt to sensitise senior officers, advisers and experts to the country's ground realities. Baby steps in RBI's monetary policy
Baby steps are pleasing to see, but when it comes to policy-making, one has to see where they go. Policy statements rarely provide the specific rationale for the proposed "baby steps". Economists, who see "baby steps" as "interest rate smoothening", infer a rationale for such actions in a variety of ways, as for example from the minutes of the policy meetings where they are made available. When art turns into a valuable asset
There's sufficient evidence to indicate that art as an asset class is on an upswing, says Kishore Singh 'Indian economy has covered significant ground'
Though this growth slowed down a little in the aftermath of the global economic crisis, our economy has rebounded. After dipping to 6.7 per cent in 2008, growth this year is expected to be in the region of 8.5 per cent. Black money abroad: How it hurts the economy
Allowing the elite to escape tax and regulation curbs economic growth, accelerates capital flight from poor countries and promotes corruption and crime around the world, says Rajni Bakshi. DTC: Baby steps in tax reform
It's important to make the penalty system an effective deterrent to ensure greater efficiency in the tax system, says M Govinda Rao. Deadly mishaps loom over India's farm sector
Why can't India design ergonomic farm equipment? asks Surinder Sud The lack of financial governance in India
Squandering of taxpayer money over the Commonwealth Games highlights the sad lack of financial governance. Free foodgrain to needy: To give or not to give
The Supreme Court's order on free distribution of grains to the needy is most likely meant to be a one-time exercise, feels Bhavdeep Kang. How to sustain a high GDP growth
The 8.8 per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2010-11 (that comes on the heels of 8.6 per cent in the last quarter of 2009-10) should put to rest any doubts about the durability of the economic recovery. It's time to end <i>Dabba </i>trading
A parallel system of futures trading in commodities, operating outside recognised commodity exchanges, better known by its colloquial epithet <I>Dabba, </I>has been thriving unchecked and is believed to be now generating bigger trading volumes than the regular exchanges. European economic woes & delusions of stability
Eurozone's financial contingency plan is trying to solve the problem of excessive debt with even more debt. Doha talks see new challenges ahead
The run-up to the G20 meeting in Seoul, South Korea in November will be busy for members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Starting mid-September, various small group meetings will be convened in Geneva to discuss and possibly resolve the outstanding issues in the Doha Round so that the political leaders of the G20 countries can provide a road map for concluding the stalled multilateral trade negotiations and help, revive and sustain global economies. Vedanta chief's Emperor Ashoka inspiration?
Rajni Bakshi argues that if people don't struggle for fair and equitable prosperity right now, they might lose the chance of doing so in the future. 'Bangalore phobia' will hurt Western economies
Rather than creating hurdles, America and Europe must thank Indian IT firms for coming to their rescue and increasing the productivity of their corporations, says Sanjiv Kataria. Why the home market is the kingmaker
The good news is that India is hitting critical mass across product categories like mobile telephony, auto and consumer electronics, to name a few. Has UPA rule been an economic success for India?
This government only needs to provide stability and create the wherewithal to survive future shocks, says Arvind Subramanian. Nothing wrong in MPs' pay hike, but . . .
A pay commission for MPs should also be able to resolve an associated controversy over the compensation package for parliamentarians. All that is wrong with Mumbai's 2nd airport
It is likely that politicians, or their benamis, have bought a fair amount of land before the decision to build an airport in Navi Mumbai was announced. Bigger the car, bigger the attitude
Dilip S'Souza on pretentious cars that cost way too much. Peace talks: Economics might be the answer
CfP's PeaceTalks initiative is a platform for highlighting such strivings and other forms of creative action aimed at resolving conflicts. Gold bubble may burst at $2,000!
While India remains the largest consumer of gold ahead of China, our citizens unlike the Chinese are yet to start any meaningful diversion of their assets in the bullion to protect themselves against inflation The $8.5 billion gamble?
Given it is in a completely different business, it's a question if Vedanta can seamlessly implement the optimal strategy for Cairn Challenges Ratan Tata braved; what successor faces
The job of Tata Sons chairman might be the most prestigious in India Inc, but it comes loaded with challenges. You can't have it both ways, Mr FM
If he expects the states to take steps for controlling inflation, he should also respect the country's federal structure and not assume a veto power at the GST Council. CEOs are back to getting king's salary
V Vaidyanathan joins a growing list of top executives getting a sumptuous sign-on bonus The hidden future of the US economy
While forecast of a double dip would be rash, most analysts are raising the odds for such an event. May - July 2010 | February 2010 | March 2010 | April 2010