Msps

BJP manifesto: Continuity for sure, but some goals are aspirational; where will the money come from?

The BJP manifesto promises continuity which is assuring as there will be more of the same with certain toppings directed to the poorer sections.

Year 2018 showed us farmer suicides and agri distress aren't fake news; will 2019 be any different for the kisan?

Suicides by farmers despite the rollout of freebies should be an important lesson to the government that waiving off farm loans is hardly a way to address farm distress, either in the short-term or long-term.

Farm woes to take centrestage in the new year as poll battle looms

The agriculture sector, which remained in distress during 2018 as crop prices slumped due to bumper production, will be in the spotlight in the new year as the BJP-ruled central government is set to roll out a big package to assuage the angry farming community ahead of the general elections.

First half of 2019 likely to be volatile, but stronger macros signal positive equity market move

The rural consumption thesis holds strong for the economy with over 50 percent contribution to India’s GDP and around 50 percent contribution towards consumption.

RBI keeps interest rate unchanged: Calibrated tightening stance will not have any impact; rate hike unlikely in near term, say analysts

The RBI opted to maintain for status quo in key policy rates

Falling price of food isn't always good news; it signals deep trouble for India's rural economy

It is quite possible that non-food WPI and manufacturing will also fall in coming months for two reasons

Food inflation is falling sharply: Good news for urban consumers but not for poor farmers; shows MSP pill hasn’t worked yet

The situation is particularly bad for debt-ridden small farmers with tiny landholdings.

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

Petrol, diesel prices reduced by Rs 2.50: Duty rates have been cut on fuel, but how long can this be sustained?

This is a gamble which the government has taken because if prices move up further, it would not be possible to sustain these reductions as both the Centre and states are walking the tight fiscal rope

GDP at 2-year high of 8.2% in Q1: Economy is finally coming out of twin shocks, but there is a bumpy ride ahead

Q1 GDP figures offer a booster dose to economy but it alone won't tell the whole story