P Vaidyanathan Iyer

Given the blow from the pandemic, the Budget was seen as make-or-break for the economy. Has it delivered?

Finance Commission suggests distribution of net proceeds of taxes between Centre and states. In her Budget speech, the Finance Minister said the govt had accepted recommendations of the 15th FC, headed by Singh, “in substantial measure”.

What makes Budget 2021-22 probably the boldest in the last six years is her intent to privatise PSU banks and state insurers — a taboo for all governments — especially at a time when reformist farm laws, facing a backlash, have been put on effective hold.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget is bold and offers not only a direction for growth but also a strong intent for reforms. Thankfully, it doesn't have a spoiler.

Budget 2021 explained: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed many new measures in the Budget 2021 to prop up the flagging economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic and boost spending across sectors.

With the GDP expected to post a negative growth of 7.7 per cent in 2020-21, the government expects a strong rebound next financial year.

The J&K DDC polls have kickstarted politics, dormant and locked down since August 5 last year when the state was split and downgraded and its special status abrogated.

At least one Communist Party of China member was hired by the Indian consulate in Shanghai using the services of a Chinese state-owned recruitment agency, according to data shared by a source with an international consortium of journalists including The Indian Express.

Narendra Singh Tomar interview: "I think the mandi system is more robust in Punjab and some people have greater faith in that system. That’s why the protests are taking place. Besides, there is an impact of party politics on the start of the protests," says Tomar.

In an interview to The Indian Express, Tomar linked the laws to the “303-seat mandate,” that, he said, had been given to the government not just to stay in power but to effect change.

"There is no treatment for imagined fears. Give me a single example of any outsider having bought land here. Since August 5, 2019, tell me a single name. I challenge anyone to name one person from outside who has bought land here. This is baseless," says Manoj Sinha.

Manoj Sinha, who took oath on August 7, and has visited all 10 districts in Kashmir, and six (of 10) in Jammu, over the last four months, said there were “some people” who have “vested interests” in differentiating Jammu from Kashmir on the lines of “region, religion, caste, colour or area.”

Another issue the Central government may be willing to review relates to the dispute resolution mechanism as provided for in the law on contract farming i.e. the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.

The new stimulus package reinforces the ‘fiscal conservatism’ ideology of the government — rather than large cash transfers, the growth philosophy centres around creating an ecosystem that aids domestic demand, incentivises companies to generate jobs and boost production.

The 3 per cent growth in the September quarter, Mehta said, came from 80 per cent of HUL’s portfolio — food, nutrition and hygiene products — growing at 10 per cent.

Sanjiv Mehta, chairman and managing director of Hindustan Unilever Ltd, said while there is a very clear and apparent improvement in consumption between the June quarter and September quarter, the trends differ in rural and urban areas. Edited excerpts:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement on measures to boost consumer spending is clearly an acknowledgement that people going out and spending is key to a faster turnaround of the economy.

Advisors urged fiscal push in form of wage subsidy, rural infrastructure

He said the Commission, in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy, is debating whether there is a need for a different approach in determining the targets for fiscal deficit and debt consolidation.

Nirmala Sitharaman Indian Express interview: "I think the Congress party is losing a golden opportunity to show the people of India that they have been in power in this country for several decades and today being in the Opposition they will give that advantage to the Parliamentary system."

Rural economy picking up, labour back, Ministry response quicker: FM

The Commission is also debating whether the government should follow a particular “range” on issues of fiscal deficit and debt levels, instead of the “fixed point” targets currently prescribed.

Responding to The Indian Express reports, Zhenhua Data late Tuesday night said it was privately owned, its partners did not have any background in the Chinese military or the Chinese government, and its operation was “not illegal or unreasonable”.

Zhenhua Data scrapes information that’s in public domain. So what’s the big deal? The big deal is in how big data works, the sweep of the targets — and the uses it can be put to.