News for 'Economic and Political Weekly'

Budget: Will Nirmalaji Loosen Purse Strings For Poll Gains?

Budget: Will Nirmalaji Loosen Purse Strings For Poll Gains?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

The finance minister's assertion that industry should not expect any spectacular announcements in the 2024 interim Budget suggest that the electoral imperatives of more tax concessions or higher expenditure on welfarist programmes could be far less pronounced than they were before the 2019 interim Budget, expects A K Bhattacharya.

Investors richer by Rs 8 lakh crore in 3 days

Investors richer by Rs 8 lakh crore in 3 days

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

Among the Sensex firms, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro and JSW Steel were the major gainers during the morning deals. Nestle, Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank ITC were among the laggards.

Vote share politics: Lessons from the Bihar verdict

Vote share politics: Lessons from the Bihar verdict

Rediff.com8 Dec 2015

More than predicting the nature of elections, a closer scrutiny of seat and vote share difference yields an important tool to assess the value of our democratic process, say economists Yugank Goyal and Arun Kumar Kaushik

Global economic uncertainties may cast shadow on India's exports in 2023

Global economic uncertainties may cast shadow on India's exports in 2023

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

India's exports may have touched an all-time high of $422 billion in 2021-22 but recession in key western markets and geo-political crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war are expected to impact the growth of the country's outbound shipments in 2023. All the global trade promoting factors like political stability, movement of goods, adequate availability of containers and shipping lines, demand, stable currency and smooth banking systems are in disarray. Adding to the woes, COVID cases have again started rising in countries like China, Japan, South Korea and the US.

US polls, Covid fears likely to impact stock markets this week

US polls, Covid fears likely to impact stock markets this week

Rediff.com1 Nov 2020

Stock markets are expected to remain under pressure this week due to the overhang of US presidential polls and uncertainty over global growth due to resurging cases of coronavirus, according to analysts.

Is Election Slipping Out Of Modi's Hands?

Is Election Slipping Out Of Modi's Hands?

Rediff.com1 May 2024

In nearly 100 seats, the BJP stands almost no chance of winning. In 200 seats, it is a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress where the BJP has an upper hand. In 243 seats, the BJP is pitted against regional parties and it is not going to be easy. That is why 400 seats may end up as a pipe dream, states Ramesh Menon, author of Modi Demystified: The Making of a Prime Minister.

'Free thought within Indian universities is in crisis today'

'Free thought within Indian universities is in crisis today'

Rediff.com17 Aug 2023

A group of faculty members of Ashoka University has written to its vice chancellor claiming that free thought within universities in India is in crisis today and demanded that all decisions on matters related to academic freedom should be put on hold till the promised committee for academic freedom is in place.

Pak parties strike deal to form govt; Shehbaz Sharif to be PM, Zardari Prez

Pak parties strike deal to form govt; Shehbaz Sharif to be PM, Zardari Prez

Rediff.com21 Feb 2024

In a breakthrough that could end the political uncertainty in Pakistan, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party have agreed on a power-sharing deal to form a new coalition government after intense negotiations following a fractured poll verdict.

BRICS doubles in size with 5 new members; Putin hints at further expansion

BRICS doubles in size with 5 new members; Putin hints at further expansion

Rediff.com3 Jan 2024

In August, the top BRICS leaders at the grouping's summit in Johannesburg approved a proposal to admit six countries, including Argentina, into the bloc with effect from January 1.

Wayanad May Not Be A Breeze For Rahul

Wayanad May Not Be A Breeze For Rahul

Rediff.com16 Apr 2024

Wayanad will continue to support Rahul but not to the same extent as in 2019, when his margin of victory had been enormous. Articulate, to the point and speaking in fluent Malayalam, CPI's Annie Raja, had the people who gathered to see her, listening in rapt attention, notes Shyam G Menon.

Will 2024 be a happy year for equity investors?

Will 2024 be a happy year for equity investors?

Rediff.com31 Dec 2023

tailwinds of a remarkable year and handsome investor returns, Indian equities are set for an eventful journey in 2024, with a slew of local and global cues -- varying from interest rates to Lok Sabha polls to geopolitical happenings. Analysts are of the view that the bull run in the domestic equity market will continue, and over the next 3-6 months, the benchmark indices -- Sensex and Nifty -- could climb up to 7 per cent. In 2023, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 11,399.52 points or 18.73 per cent, and the NSE Nifty climbed 3,626.1 points or 20 per cent.

UP outcome will impact national politics

UP outcome will impact national politics

Rediff.com12 May 2021

The Bengal outcome can have a marginal impact on national politics. Whereas elections in UP next year might still change the course ahead of the parliamentary poll in 2024, observes Virendra Kapoor.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

... And what explains the directions of change? asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Kashmir's political atmosphere is an apocalypse

Kashmir's political atmosphere is an apocalypse

Rediff.com19 Feb 2020

'The politicians waiting to grab the space left behind by Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti do not have any credentials,' says Athar Parvaiz.

Economists vs politicians: Tough fight over economic policies

Economists vs politicians: Tough fight over economic policies

Rediff.com14 Nov 2013

Macroeconomic policy aimed at short-term political gains does not augur well for a poorly performing economy.

Abe Shinzo: A giant departs Japanese politics

Abe Shinzo: A giant departs Japanese politics

Rediff.com29 Aug 2020

'There shall be no change in India-Japan ties,' predicts Rajaram Panda.

A Rogue Wave Rising In The North

A Rogue Wave Rising In The North

Rediff.com21 May 2024

While people voted in a fifth round that will set the tone as this election rounds into the straight, and while Modi on the stump chews the cud of personal grievances and hackneyed promises that have long since passed their use-by date, there is a rogue wave rising -- what damage it will do, we will know 16 days from today, observes Prem Panicker.

'China is ahead of India because our political leadership was behind'

'China is ahead of India because our political leadership was behind'

Rediff.com12 Oct 2022

'You have to be a total anti-national bozo to shut down the Nokia plant in Sriperumbudur, which was the first large manufacturing plant for mobile phones in India.' 'Why was the unit shut down? Because of somebody's ego.'

Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu meets PM

Chief Economic Advisor Kaushik Basu meets PM

Rediff.com26 Apr 2012

A Cornell University professor, Basu took over as the CEA in the Finance Ministry in December 2009 and his term ended in February. However, he was given extension till August as the government was in the process of formulating the proposals for the Budget for 2012-13.

Investors turn richer by Rs 81.90 lakh crore in 2023

Investors turn richer by Rs 81.90 lakh crore in 2023

Rediff.com29 Dec 2023

In a memorable year for the equity market, Dalal Street investors added a whopping Rs 81.90 lakh crore to their wealth in 2023 as a raft of positive factors powered a stellar rally in stocks. Experts said India's strong macroeconomic fundamentals, political stability owing to the BJP's success in recent elections in three significant states, optimistic corporate earnings outlook, signals from the US Federal Reserve about three prospective rate cuts next year and heavy retail investors participation played a major role in fuelling the stock market rally in 2023. In the year 2023, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 11,399.52 points or 18.73 per cent.

India's economic theory fashion cycles

India's economic theory fashion cycles

Rediff.com9 Apr 2015

'Make in India' could suffer the same fate as did privatisation and the command economy, says Ajit Balakrishnan.

Good opportunity for Modi govt to push economic reforms

Good opportunity for Modi govt to push economic reforms

Rediff.com20 Aug 2014

Luck appears to be on the government's side. It needs to take full advantage of it by initiating long overdue economic reforms without delay, says A K Bhattacharya.

What The World Looks Like At Mid-Year

What The World Looks Like At Mid-Year

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

The first five months of 2023 have witnessed at least six major events/trends that augur badly for global economic and socio-political prospects, points out Shankar Acharya, former chief economic adviser to the Government of India.

When small is actually BIG!

When small is actually BIG!

Rediff.com25 Dec 2023

Smaller stocks have emerged as Dalal Street's favourites in 2023 that has turned out to be a "great year" for equities, rewarding investors with big gains, driven by optimism over the country's macroeconomic fundamentals and heavy retail investors participation. Experts said equity markets are experiencing a prolonged bull run and it is during this time that the midcap and smallcap segments tend to outshine their larger counterparts. Till December 22 this year, the BSE smallcap gauge has jumped 13,074.96 points or 45.20 per cent while the midcap index has surged 10,568.18 points or 41.74 per cent.

The Politics behind the Budget

The Politics behind the Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2021

The BJP would want that by March 2022, when UP votes, the economy starts looking up and it heads into the polls with no other issue distracting from its main poll plank of the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Everyone leaving Congress, only...:Modi

Everyone leaving Congress, only...:Modi

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

'This is what happens to a party when it gets trapped in the vicious circle of nepotism and dynastic politics'

Bihar cabinet approves raising quota cap to 75%

Bihar cabinet approves raising quota cap to 75%

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

A bill will be brought in the assembly during the ongoing session, possibly this week according to sources in the cabinet.

Will Nawaz Sharif's return as PM normalise India-Pak ties?

Will Nawaz Sharif's return as PM normalise India-Pak ties?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2023

Pakistan-India bilateral relations remained frozen for the fourth year over the vexed Kashmir issue but analysts hope the strained ties could be repaired if Nawaz Sharif becomes the prime minister for a record fourth time in the general elections in February in the absence of his main challenger Imran Khan who is in jail in multiple cases.

Judges' ability to use Constitution key to...: CJI Chandrachud

Judges' ability to use Constitution key to...: CJI Chandrachud

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

The CJI also dealt with the principle of affirmative action by the state and said it was meant to achieve broader equality and was not against the right to equality.

Why is Xi Jinping Clapping?

Why is Xi Jinping Clapping?

Rediff.com8 Mar 2023

The National People's Congress -- China's annual political gathering known as the Two Sessions -- brought leaders and lawmakers this week to set the Chinese Communist party's agenda for domestic economic and social development for the year.

Economic worries and the global elite

Economic worries and the global elite

Rediff.com18 Jun 2013

Making capitalism work for everyone, and not just the plutocrats, is our most pressing political and economic problem.

Did Nitish Kumar Get Scared Of 'Modi Magic'?

Did Nitish Kumar Get Scared Of 'Modi Magic'?

Rediff.com31 Jan 2024

In switching over, Nitish has sent out a message that if he could not now become the NDA's PM, then he would need to stay on as CM at the very least, which a third term for Modi would not let him have, N Sathiya Moorthy points out.

How COVID-19 could change India's political economy

How COVID-19 could change India's political economy

Rediff.com3 Apr 2020

'While the poor have little say in shaping India's intellectual or public discourse, they do have a significant role in deciding political outcomes,' points out Roshan Kishore.

Decoding India's Dress Code

Decoding India's Dress Code

Rediff.com9 Jan 2024

...Is a cultural swaraj under way, wonders Ajit Balakrishnan.

'Asian Games is a cash-burning project'

'Asian Games is a cash-burning project'

Rediff.com21 Sep 2023

With economic problems and job cuts, Hangzhou locals and people in other parts of China are not very pleased about hosting the Asian Games.

'Markets could remain firm with occasional corrections'

'Markets could remain firm with occasional corrections'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

'In case the El Nino pattern plays out negatively and/or the political situation becomes messy, we may see markets correcting and waiting for the situation to become clear by early/mid-2024.'

Aura of America's economic might has faded

Aura of America's economic might has faded

Rediff.com10 Aug 2011

The US political system might not be as broke as some thought but the deal came a bit too late to allay apprehensions.

Is Xi Losing Control Over Power?

Is Xi Losing Control Over Power?

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

Two of Xi Jinping's chosen officials have disappeared from view, an indication of turmoil in Xi's government, months after he installed a collection of loyalist leaders in his cabinet, observes Dr Rajaram Panda.

'These laws are equipped to suppress democracy'

'These laws are equipped to suppress democracy'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2023

'...by directing these draconian provisions against political and ideological opponents of the ruling group, minorities, and those who dare to dissent through and selective prosecution and prolonged incarceration as undertrials.'

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

'New Laws Will Make India A Police State'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2023

'These new laws give complete (impunity) to the police.' 'Whatever little accountability the police had, all that is gone now.' 'There is no accountability mechanism against the police for abusing or misusing in the new laws.'