Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | August 2021
H I G H L I G H T S • GDP up 20% in Q1 2021-22; its real size lower than Q1 2019-20• National Monetization Plan ambitious, raises questions• Push for new infrastructure scheme, ambivalence on privatization• Scrappage policy to boost auto sales, curb vehicular pollution• RBI monetary policy […]
Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | July 2021
HIGHLIGHTS • Government finances better with higher tax revenues• Poor disinvestment and slow capex rise cause for concern• Delicensing power distribution part of big legislative agenda• Implementing power distribution reform key to its success• New law to pave the way for general insurance privatisation • […]
Indian Economy Review by Mr AK Bhattacharya, Editorial Director, Business Standard | June 2021
HIGHLIGHTS • Indian economy’s contraction in 2020-21 revised down• April-June 2020 saw India’s worst decline in economic output• Agriculture bucked the overall decline in many sectors• Construction led the recovery from third quarter • Services remained in contraction mode for the whole of 2020-21• Growth forecast for 2021-22 lowered by World Bank, RBI • Sharp variations in Govt’s tax revenue estimates• Actual tax revenues […]
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 […]