Arun Kumar
The writer is a former Sukhamoy Chakravarty Chair Professor, JNU
Articles By Arun Kumar
By ignoring final numbers for 2018-19 in formulating budget estimates, govt has presented incorrect data
Can there be any excuse to just reproduce the interim budget figures in July when the Ministry had the data given to the CGA? Further, the data was presented in the Economic Survey, so why not in the budget?
GST should remain a destination tax, to support poorer states — not be burdened with multiple objectives
GST was to lead to the unification of the country and improve ease of doing business. These were all significant political slogans. But they have receded to the background in favour of a more muscular nationalism.
With manifestos, political parties must show how the desirable is feasible
If one does not show that the “desirable is feasible,” chances are that the promises will remain on paper, as in the past.
Who will pay for sops?
Government’s claim that structural changes to the economy are paying off, and that is being used to give back to the people, is problematic.
GDP and its assumptions
New GDP back series does what the government needs it to — shows that growth during its term has been higher than during the UPA regime.
With due respect, Finance Minister
There has been only a marginal increase in the direct tax to GDP ratio after demonetisation. And the economy didn’t need to suffer for digitisation.
Where’s the money coming from?
Exploring the role of the black economy in political finance and how it subverts democracy.
Job growth or number jugglery
The problem is under-employment. It won’t be resolved if the residually-employed are notionally shifted from the informal to formal sector.
The Catch In Autonomy
Universities will be subject to the dictates of the market
Calling black white
There is a lot of pain, no visible gain, from demonetisation. No amount of spin can mask the fact that it has dented the economy
How Things Fall Apart
The book misses the impact of corruption/scams on society — it leads to policy failure and to inefficiencies, which lower the rate of growth of the economy below its potential.
An embarrassment of riches
Why is the RBI not disclosing the amount from the surrendered notes? Have more than the issued amount of notes returned?
Not worth the tax
Forget agriculture, it is more prudent to collect taxes from the service sector where the bulk of black income is generated.
Lawbreakers, Lawmakers
What sustains the marketplace for ‘criminal’ politicians? This book has some good answers
Unusual times, usual ways
Methods to use GDP estimates cannot account for the shock caused by demonetisation.
High price, uncertain gain
Is it necessary to punish all to tackle the 3 per cent who generate the big black incomes?
Amnesty by another name
The Income Declaration Scheme has garnered only a minuscule amount of black money. The big fish have got away.
Govt’s gold schemes will not lower demand for the yellow metal
The world is uncertain so gold is held to take care of a rainy day.
Central confusion
While the RBI criticises policy, it does not use its own limited authority effectively.
Who’s corrupt?
It is necessary to distinguish between honest and dishonest, and correct and incorrect, decisions.