Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | May 2021
• Growth prospects take a hit after 2nd wave of COVID-19• Finance Ministry plays down the overall impact on economy• RBI rolls out package to address concerns over COVID-19• Fillip to bond buying programme to help soften yields • Loan restructuring move to help stressed MSMEs• False cheer on industrial growth, real concern on inflation • […]
Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | May 2021
HIGHLIGHTS • Growth prospects take a hit after 2nd wave of COVID-19• Finance Ministry plays down the overall impact on economy• RBI rolls out package to address concerns over COVID-19• Fillip to bond buying programme to help soften yields • Loan restructuring move to help stressed MSMEs• False cheer on industrial growth, real concern on inflation […]
Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | April 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Economic growth prospects for 2021-22 take a hit• Inflation concerns may worsen, impacting RBI’s options• Second Covid wave sees fewer curbs on economic activity• A shift in the vaccination strategy; states to do heavy lifting• New strategy reduces Central spend on vaccines• Maruti exudes optimism on car sales• Automobile sales back […]
Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | March 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • A lower fiscal deficit for 2020-21, thanks to higher tax revenues• March pick-up in exports helps reduce full year’s trade gap• GST collections recovery reflects improved procedures• No change in inflation targeting regime, but prices up• Economy tracker: Covid surge shows a deceleration in activity• Three relaxations that impacted India […]
Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | February 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Mixed picture on growth, worries on fourth quarter numbers• RBI Report hints at maintaining existing inflation targets• No rate cut, but bond market spikes worry RBI • Retail inflation down, industrial output up• Trade data offers relief as domestic demand improves• PM batting for private enterprise, sets a new benchmark Mixed […]
Special Budget Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard
H I G H L I G H T S • Union Budget for 2021-22: An Assessment• Using a fiscal crisis to lend greater transparency • No increase in revenue spend, but a big boost to capex• Stability in direct taxes, but Customs review worrying• Big reforms announced; implementation will be the key• Privatisation and asset […]
Indian Economy Review | January 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • Different strokes : Higher NPAs and a glorious summer• GST collections buoyant, augurs well for recovery prospects• Automobile manufacturers see green shoots of recovery• Power consumption and railway freight pick up• Investment in new projects still a cause for worry• Unemployment rate lower, but mixed […]
Indian Economy Review | December 2020
H I G H L I G H T S • Rerating of economic recovery prospects • Most agencies upgrade India growth estimates• Is India in a recession? Not really!• The other upsides of the Indian economy• A seven-pronged strategy from the RBI• Industrial output bounces back, but will it be sustained?• Retail inflation down, but […]
Indian Economy Review | November 2020
H I G H L I G H T S • In spite of recovery, growth set to elude India in 2020-21 • Govt finances show the stress, but they are getting better• Opening up banking to corporates raises hackles of experts• Extending PLI scheme to 10 sectors: A double-edged sword?• Stimulus III: Fiscal cost contained […]
Indian Economy Review | October 2020
H I G H L I G H T S • Worrying signs in state finances• State Budgets shrinking with expenditure cuts• Stimulus II, but with negligible impact on the fisc• LTC measures may benefit 850,000 govt staffers• 6 % rise in Central capex, but states may be worried• Confusion over GDP contraction estimates• Implications […]