Economy Sector 2021

Union Budget 2021: Slashed funds for NREGA, Poshan Abhiyan 2.0, elderly pensions reflect poorly on Centre

The biggest hoodwink is the starved Poshan Abhiyan 2.0, which though merges the Supplementary Nutrition Programme and the Poshan Abhiyan, has been allocated an amount less than what was prescribed for Anganwadi services in 2020

80% of India's informal workers lost jobs during COVID lockdown, 63% survived on two meals a day, shows data

Government needs to take action regarding job security, social security benefits, food security, health benefits, and safety in the informal sector in such a way that it not only manages the current crisis, but also immunises the sector from future shocks

Union Budget 2021: Govt's great land sales idea needs a process-oriented transparent approach

It is important that money coming from land sales be allocated towards specific infrastructure projects, preferably in the very state where land is being sold.

Union Budget 2021: PLI scheme for 13 manufacturing sectors will includue firms in global supply chains

Most of the key announcements from the Budget are in line with the central theme of ‘Aspirational India, Economic Development, A Caring Society’.

Union Budget 2021: Social security for gig workers will nurture risk appetite in workers, say experts

The gig economy is a free market system in which temporary positions are common and organisations hire independent workers for short-term commitments

Union Budget 2021: BJP leaders hail 'forward-looking' announcements; 'visionless document', says Opposition

Financial experts and industry leaders broadly welcomed the Budget, taking particular note of announcements on road development, taxation and health

Union Budget 2021: Economists say problems of inequitable growth not addressed

Brokerage company Nomura's India head Prabhat Awasthi said that the Budget was not populist because there is "no major attempt to redistribute incomes by increasing taxes on high income groups"

Union Budget 2021: Banking, health, infra sectors welcome announcements; hospitality, tourism regret lack of immediate support

Hospitality and Tourism roughly account for 10 percent of India's GDP and employ nearly 9 percent of India's working population and yet, it failed to find space in the Union Budget, FHRAI vice-president Gurbaxish Singh Kohli said

Union Budget 2021: Sitharaman defends privatisation of PSBs in interview with News18, says India needs more efficient banks

Sitharaman also said that the government is looking at setting up a holding company for banks' bad assets to address the NPA issue.

This is no 1991, but Sitharaman's budget should boost growth, create jobs and stimulate a COVID-hit economy

The best part of Union Budget 2021, however, is that Nirmala Sitharaman resisted the temptation to slap more cess, surcharges on the taxpaying citizens and refrained from imposing a ‘wealth tax’ to raise revenue.