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Breaking Views News - Page 8
India braces for Bharat Bandh. But what can it achieve?
Bharat bandhs - of the sort that the BJP and some Left parties - are organising today yield little political gain and only end up inflicting losses to the economy, which will eventually be borne by ordinary folks.
Petrol price hike: Bold and bland, Reddy calls a spade a spade
Our politicians have turned cowardly. They would prefer to flow with the public mood than stand up for the country.<br /><br /> <br /><br />
Soniaji, your petrol price act is a political lie. Correct it
An open letter to Sonia Gandhi explaining how her petrol and energy non-policy is costing her politically.
Petrol bomb is a dud: If only Dr Singh had listened...
In 1991, Manmohan Singh talked about the power of an idea whose time has come. But is raising petrol prices steeply one such idea?
Obama's blunt talk only makes reforms harder to sell in India
The challenges of framing a political narrative in favour of reforms are all the harder in a country like India. Obama's remarks, however well-meant, may have made that task just that bit harder.
Pranab-da's 'austerity' cannot fix UPA govt's economic sins
The Finance Minister's 'remedy', which focusses on unspecified 'austerity' measures, could compound the stagflation crisis if it shrinks aggregate demand.The real fixes like elsewhere.
Memo to India Inc: Get over the 'cheap money', stimulus fix
It's incredibly self-seeking and borderline irresponsible for chambers of industry to ask for a stimulus package and lower interest rates. Where have their 'animal spirits' gone?
The Gujarat growth gaffe: Social media calls bluff
A major gaffe about Gujarat's growth rate in a mainstream newspaper might have gone unchallenged if the Twitterati had not exposed it. But where's the apology?
The great Gurgaon experiment: Has it failed?
Gurgaon epitomised the middle class dream of exclusive, safe communities that don't rely on public services and spaces. But private development has instead helped create a new landmark: the Rape Mile.
After RBI's 'gamble' on growth, it's time for Pranab-da to deliver
After the RBI's 'surprise' rate cut, the government has run out of alibis for inaction. It's now time to move beyond pious baloney - and 'bite the bullet'.
2G spectrum: Govt says 'no' to auction
Soon after the SC judgement on 2G spectrum on 2 February 2012, the government had first filed a review petition against the judgement and then withdrew the same.
Trade war: India, US head to WTO over US visa, poultry row
India is pursuing a complaint against the US at the WTO over a US law enacted two years ago, that significantly increased visa fees for skilled workers and has caused plenty of heartache at Indian tech firms.
Singur ruling gives Mamata a lesson in governance
Not content with driving out the Tata Nano project, Mamata Banerjee had become obsessed with securing retribution against the Tatas. Today's ruling teaches her a lesson in governance.
Why Rahul-flation may get more virulent, helped by CAD
The country's external account is going for a toss with CAD rising to 4 percent. This calls for austerity. Rahul-flation is getting worse with Congress-aided decline.
How Congress' cowardice holds it hostage to bullying
The Congress may have been cramped for space by its troublesome allies, but the blame for its political cowardice lies within its own dynasty obsession, which has silenced all reformist voices in the party.
Mukherjee knows his onions but will he deliver?
This budget is being seen as a "test" of the government's political resolve to be less prodigal, spendthrift and implement reforms to rescue India's economy which slowed to 6.1 percent in the third quarter of the financial year 2011-12.
Mamata's ultimatum: End of the road for Trinamool-UPA alliance?
Trinamool Congress leaves prime minister in a catch-22 situation.<br /><br /> <br /><br />
Budget 2012 could be Pranab's easiest: he has no options
Having gorged on excessive spending for years, the government has to go on an austere diet now. Driven by liquidity, markets don't seem to have budgeted for the impact of this 'bitter medicine'.
A 2G scam that predates Raja: Did telcos steal spectrum?
Here's the unspoken 2G scam that predates A Raja. Telcos were supposed to get a 'cumulative maximum' of 4.4 Mhz, but they actually got twice the spectrum. Did benign policy legalise stealing?
Black money & Prez Patil: Is it time to scrap Rs 500-1,000 notes?
Given the amount of black circulating around election time, is some form of demonetisation of high-value currency notes worth considering?
The Land Bill is ruinous - for all
The Land Acquisition Bill works against the interests of the industry, the landowner and the government. It is a prime example of the folly of unthinking do-goodism that Rahul Gandhi is famous for.
There's no cure for sleepless Pranab's 'InSonia' disorder
Pranab Mukherjee says the burden of subsidies he has to provide for in the budget keeps him awake at night. But thanks to Sonia Gandhi, his insomnia isn't about to end anytime soon.
India Nowhere at Davos: Thank god for that!
Indian businessmen are grieving that Davos has lost its faith in the India story. But given the Davos gabfest's horrendous record of reading the future, that's probably a good thing for India.
Did NREGA create more work or leisure? What will Food Bill do?
If NREGA let more people earn more by working less, what will the cheap food under the Food Security Bill accomplish?
Vodafone to get tough response from govt on tax battle
CNBC TV-18 reported that there is virtually no ground in the Vodafone case to invoke Dutch BIPA (Bilateral investment promotion and protection agreements).
Why foreign companies are 'scared' of investing in India
India's bureaucracy and aggressive tax policies are scaring foreign investors and will redirect investment elsewhere, says Dave Cote
Amartya and Stiglitz: Why are we suckers for their views?
Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz know little about how the Food Security Bill will really work. Why do we want to listen to them instead of our own experts?
Sure, Mr PM, we're shamed by malnutrition. But are you?
It's all very well to shock us with statistics about India's malnourished children. But it only reflects a colossal failure of public policy, for which all governments, including Manmohan Singh's, bear the blame.
Why inflation will be UPA-II's only lasting contribution
UPA-II's economic policies will ensure that their only lasting contribution will be elevated inflation.
Why is India wasting its biggest and brightest asset?
India's youthful, working-age population, is set to become the world's largest working-age population (972 million) by 2030. But, it isn't doing enough to make productive use of the same.