ECONOMIC GROWTH : Having made a good head start (though belated), the RBI must not stop as there is potential for another 50-75 basis points reduction Prior to the fourth bi-monthly monetary policy review on September 29, RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan had come under unprecedented pressure to cut the policy repo rate [interest rate at which the apex bank lends money to commercial banks] to help government’s efforts in giving a fillip to the economy and putting it on a higher growth trajectory. Almost all stakeholders – industry and commerce, investors, experts/ economists – were unanimous in demanding a cut. While refraining from taking any position [lest this be misconstrued as interference in RBI’s autonomy], the government had nonetheless given...
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Category: Welfare schemes
Rajan ‘finally’ joins growth band wagon
Prior to the 4th bi-monthly monetary policy review on September 29, 2015, RBI governor, Raghuram Rajan had come under unprecedented pressure to cut the policy repo rate [interest rate at which the apex bank lends money to commercial banks] to help government’s efforts in giving a fillip to the economy and putting it on a higher growth trajectory. Almost all stakeholders viz., industry and commerce, investors, experts/economists were unanimous in demanding a cut. While, refraining from taking any position [lest this be misconstrued as interference in RBI’s autonomy], the government had nonetheless given a ‘subtle’ signal that this brooks no further delay. This was evident when finance minister, Arun Jaitely recently said “common sense requires a rate cut”. That the...
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MUDRA Yojna – boost to ‘inclusive’ growth
About 16 months ago, people of India gave a massive mandate to prime minister N Modi on two major planks viz., (i) eliminating the scourge of corruption and (ii) fulfilling the aspirations of a mammoth 800 million people below 35 years. From the day one of taking charge, he has been working relentlessly to deliver on both the promises. For the first, he is cleaning up the governance systems whereas for second, he has fired all cylinders to propel “inclusive” development. The flagship “Make in India” mission started by Modi last year seeks to transform India in to a manufacturing hub of the world and increase the share of manufacturing in GDP [gross domestic product] from present around15% to 25%...
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Rajan should partner in unleashing growth
On the eve of next bi-monthly monetary policy review [September 29, 2015], RBI governor, Raghuram Rajan is under unprecedented pressure to cut the policy repo rate [interest rate at which the apex bank lends money to commercial banks] to help government’s efforts in giving a fillip to the economy and putting it on a higher growth trajectory. Almost all stakeholders viz., industry and commerce, investors, experts/economists are unanimous in demanding a cut. The government has thus far, restrained from taking any position and has left it to the governor to take an appropriate view [giving full respect to RBI’s autonomy]. But, in a recent statement, finance minister, Arun Jaitely made his intent very clear when he opined “common sense requires...
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Stepping on economic independence – Modi’s report card
Commentators across a wide spectrum have felt that prime minister N Modi speech on the 69th Independence Day was stereotyped, lacking in new ideas and did not cover a number of important issues such as foreign relations, relation with neighbouring countries [especially Pakistan], terrorism, internal governance, cooperative federalism, conduct of business in parliament and so on. Some have gone that far to say that the entire 85 minutes address was an extrapolation of his “Mann Ki Baat” [a few have branded this as an exercise in self-adulation]. These are perceptions of all those who for decades have got used to stereotyped addresses from prime ministers who technically though represent the people of India but in their dispositions behave like aliens,...
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PM Jan Dhan Yojna – panacea to end farmer suicide
Close to seven decades since independence, Indian society continues to suffer from the stigma that ‘farmers feed the whole country but are unable to feed themselves’. The proof of pudding is in eating as thousands of them are forced to commit suicide every year. During the last one-and-a-half decade or so, about 300,000 farmers have committed suicide and the numbers continues to increase unabated. Invariably, analysts attribute this to their inability to generate adequate income [on an average, a farmer earns just about Rs 5000-6000 per month from cultivating land] because of generally low crop yield on one hand and un-remunerative price for agricultural produce on the other. When, viewed in the backdrop of government giving huge subsidies on inputs...
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Corruption – Modi catches bull by horn
In his recent international visits, prime minister, Modi in his characteristics style observed that “he wants the country to be recognized as ‘Skill India’ in sharp contrast to the tag of ‘Scam India’ a dubious distinction it earned during a decade of erstwhile UPA – dispensation. The grand old party has taken strong objection to the observation which its senior leaders allege is tantamount to diplomatic misdemeanour and sullies India’s reputation in the comity of nations. This exposes its perverted mindset that perceives mere mention of scams as disturbing but not their actual happening [which is a hard fact, even the Supreme Court had given orders and sent ministers to jail]. Having presided over a plethora of scams, it is...
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Sugar industry – barking up the wrong tree
In a bid to tackle the problem of mounting dues to sugarcane farmers – estimated to be Rs 21,000 crores as on date – the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently approved a loan of Rs 6000 crores to sugar manufacturers the interest cost on which for one year amounting to Rs 600 crores will be met by government [the money will come from Sugar Development Fund (SDF)]. Coming on top of a loan of Rs 6600 crores earlier sanctioned by erstwhile UPA dispensation for 5 years [also to facilitate payment of dues to sugarcane farmers], the sop granted by Modi – government should have come as a further relief to the industry. Alas, the decision has irked it!...
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Indian economy on ‘fast track’ – jobs will follow
In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister, Mr P Chidambaram, former finance minister in the erstwhile UPA government has taken pot shots at Modiji for his ‘alleged’ failure to create jobs. He laments that during 2014-15, jobs were generated at a measly rate of 100,000 per quarter which works out to 400,000 in the whole year. Mr Chidambaram’s observation is reminiscent of a phrase coined by ex-Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh “money does not grow on tree”. Dr Singh was alluding to efforts-led creation of wealth even as right under his nose, people witnessed a contrasting spectre of huge amount of national wealth being plundered and given to close contacts/favourites of political bosses in the grand old party. However,...
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Modi delivers ‘scam-free’ India
On May 26, 2015, Modi – government completes one year in office. Naturally, it is time to review and reflect on the pluses and minuses; on what it did and what it did not. But for die hard critics, those wearing coloured glasses and determined to see only negatives, all others viewing happenings from an objective and un-biased mindset will only be able to see positives as this is all that the present dispensation – led by a charismatic leader Modiji – has put on the plate of 1.25 billion people of India. Poor catapulted to center stage For the common man, the poor and the poorest among them, there is a lot to feel relieved and rejoice as the...
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