Seetha
Budget 2020-21: Revenue projections unrealistic, quality of spending worrying in Nirmala Sitharaman's fiscal roadmap
In 2018-19, gross tax revenue was estimated at Rs 22.7 lakh crore; the actual collections were Rs 20.8 lakh crore – 9 percent less.
Unrealistic tax collection targets will only push up disputes; arrears under litigation stand at whopping Rs 12,42,786 crore
One ray of hope comes from the Legacy Dispute Resolution scheme that was launched in September, which allows taxpayers to pay outstanding dues without interest and penalty up to 31 December
Q2 GDP growth at 4.5%: Govt has indeed acknowledged, responded to problems with some measures but cannot afford to take eye off ball
Private investment (reflected in gross fixed capital formation, GFCF) not only slipped in terms of percentage of GDP (to 27.8 percent in Q2 from 29.2 percent in the same period last year and from 29.7 percent in Q1) but also in terms of growth.
GDP growth slips to 5%: There may be more bad news coming before things get better; economy must be sole focus now
India could have been on a stronger wicket if the first Narendra Modi government had not missed several opportunities to strengthen the economy (this is not to take away from the few reforms it did undertake).
Budget 2019: Nirmala Sitharaman's promise to cut fiscal deficit to 3.3% of GDP is brave, but not realistic
Nirmala Sitharaman is promising to keep the fiscal deficit at 3.3% of GDP, lower than the 3.4% projected in the interim Budget presented by Piyush Goyal
National Anti-Profiteering Authority's extension reveals neta-babu tribe is not going to give up its chance to meddle with pricing
The extension, without a freeze on new complaints, has also shown that the Jaitley-Adhia assurances that the NAA will be a benign, purely deterrent mechanism were also hollow.
Economy in a pickle: Nirmala Sitharaman faces a daunting task of lifting a faltering economy, addressing unemployment
This summer, newly appointed finance ministerNirmala Sitharaman will find herself dealing with another kind of pickle--a flagging economy and an employment crisis.
Congress, BJP manifestos strengthen mai-baap sarkar syndrome, but paternalistic State is biggest hurdle to growth
Congress Will Deliver is replete with promises, which is natural for a party which wants to come to power. Sankalpit Bharat, Sashakt Bharat has more chest thumping about achievements, which, too, is natural for an incumbent party that wants another term
Rahul Gandhi's startup push: Regulatory hurdles in state, local bodies must be removed to make it easier for new ventures
Giving startups more freedom will, without doubt, give entrepreneurship the boost that the economy sorely needs.
Angel tax row: There will be no end to tax disputes unless simpler regime is put in place
Both the earlier and the current governments missed golden opportunities to make the tax structure simple and harassment-proof.
Basic income scheme is more efficient way of delivering welfare to poor: Do BJP and Congress have resolve to implement it?
Even if the BJP comes up with a counter scheme, it is not likely to be universal; forget the financing part, it is just not good political optics.
India ranks 77 in Ease of Doing Business: Between World Bank ranking and RBI-govt turf war, economy needs careful watch
The government is understandably preening over India having moved up 23 places to rank 77th in the World Bank’s Doing Business rankings of the World Bank.
Petrol, diesel excise cut: Fiscal stress staring at India; can Centre, states have the guts to tackle it?
Post the petrol, diesel, excise cut, how the Centre manages to stick to the fiscal deficit target of 3.3 percent is going to be interesting to watch
Supreme Court's Aadhaar verdict is sensible, nuanced: Here's what the govt needs to do to address the pain points
As the Supreme Court's Aadhaar verdict gives the government and UIDAI a slap on the wrist on several issues, the Centre now needs to be open to suggestions to end the inconvenience.
GDP back series calculation: Mundle committee has shown the way but more work needed; politicising statistics must end
The NDA government needs to come out with a back series sooner rather than later.
DBT savings of Rs 90,000 cr: Narendra Modi govt must build on this in battle against a leaky welfare delivery system
Did DBT really save the exchequer a colossal Rs 90,000 crore, and was this entirely due to elimination of 6 crore ghost beneficiaries, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his Independence Day speech?
IMF says India can simplify GST structure without hurting the poor; changes won't compromise principle of progressivity
A simpler GST structure will reduce compliance and administrative costs, which tend to burden smaller firms.
Research on agrarian distress is inadequate; we need some proper indicator, says Ramesh Chand of NITI Aayog
Most researchers are arriving at this conclusion of agrarian distress by citing farmers suicides. We are just using this emotional indicator, says Ramesh Chand of NITI Aayog
Arvind Subramanian's three principles to ease formalisation woes: It's time these suggestions are acted upon
Why should a government that pushed demonetisation allow tax officials to set the taxation agenda that affects lakhs of small enterprises?