P Chidambaram

P Chidambaram is former Finance minister of India.

A big ask in election year

Sun, Sep 16, 2018

The consequence is that the government revenue has become oil-dependent, government is loath to give up easy revenues, and there is mounting anger among the people as prices of petrol, diesel and LPG soar every day.

Across the Aisle: Black to white magic

Sun, Sep 09, 2018

RBI had done no study or preparatory work; yet the Central Board of RBI hurriedly met on November 8, without an agenda and without a background note, and dutifully “recommended” that the notes may be declared no longer legal tender.

Across the Aisle: Jobs- The make or break issue

Sun, Sep 02, 2018

The reality is that a loan of Rs 47,268 is not sufficient to create a job. That amount may be enough to buy some tools or furniture or install an air conditioner or a refrigerator. It may be used as additional working capital. By no stretch of imagination will Rs 47,268 create an additional job.

Across the Aisle: Emulate, do not envy

Sun, Aug 26, 2018

The first year was promising and the second year too started well. The first major blunder was demonetisation on November 8, 2016. This was followed by other blunders — flawed and hurried implementation of GST and tax terrorism.

Across the aisle: Mr A B Vajpayee, RIP

Sun, Aug 19, 2018

To most of his party colleagues and the RSS, he was the right man to lead the ‘right’ party. To many belonging to other parties, he was the right man in the wrong party!

First anarchy, now autarky

Sun, Aug 12, 2018

Autarky will never be dead and buried six fathoms deep. It has a way of rearing its head from time to time, and that is what seems to be happening now under the BJP-led NDA government.

Across the aisle: Engaging with Mr Imran Khan

Sun, Aug 05, 2018

Mr Imran Khan has said that if India will take one step forward, he will be prepared to take two steps forward. That may simply be posturing on the eve of being sworn in as Prime Minister, but nothing will be lost if we take Mr Khan at his word and appeal to him to deliver on his words

Across the Aisle: Debate, questions, but no answers

Sun, Jul 29, 2018

The no-confidence motion was lost, so was an opportunity to answer the questions of the people.

Across the aisle: France wins honours, Croatia wins hearts

Sun, Jul 22, 2018

Can small countries match big countries? They cannot ever in land area or population or military power, but they can in other parameters that actually matter to the people.

Across the aisle: BJP renders aid and advice to LG!

Sun, Jul 15, 2018

Both Najeeb Jung and Anil Baijal knew exactly what they were doing as Delhi L-G , yet if they did act in a peculiar manner, it was not because of ignorance but because of subservience.

Su-raj (good governance) and Ms Swaraj

Sun, Jul 08, 2018

During the last four years, mobs of both kinds — the one, on the ground, and the other, in the virtual world, have grown in number and size.

Across the aisle: Calculate price of a trade war

Sun, Jul 01, 2018

It is in India’s interests to be one of the adults in the room and stand up for an open trade order. True, India is not the US or China but is big enough to count... What the world requires is a coalition of sensible countries that will anchor world trade while a few countries disrupt world trade.

Across the aisle: The remains of the day

Sun, Jun 24, 2018

When the political parties demanded a ceasefire for the Ramzan month, the Chief of Army Staff had taken upon himself the responsibility of answering the demand and had said, “Azaadi is not going to happen, never... if you want to fight us, then we will fight you with all our force.” Following the imposition of Governor’s rule, he repeated the cliched phrase that “anti-terror operations will continue” and added “we don’t have any kind of political interference”.

Searching for Shangri-La

Sun, Jun 17, 2018

The world’s leaders hear the Prime Minister and applaud his appeal to embrace diversity; and then they read about happenings in Dadri (Mohammed Akhlaq); Alwar (Pehlu Khan); Una (Dalit boys); and Bhima Koregaon (Dalit gathering). They shake their heads in disbelief and are confused... Whither the diversity that we advocate to the world?

Across the aisle: Governments hide, people seek

Sun, Jun 10, 2018

The mood of the nation is despondent. In the RBI’s survey (May 2018), 48 per cent of respondents felt that the economic situation had worsened in the last one year. In some sectors, like agriculture, despondency has turned into anger. Among some sections of the people, like Dalits and unemployed youth, despondency has turned into despair.

Across the Aisle: Second-class citizens?

Sun, Jun 03, 2018

Under the government of Mr Narendra Modi and his cohorts in the states, unlike the government of Mr Vajpayee, intolerance is the new normal.

Across The Aisle: Who is minding the store?

Sun, May 27, 2018

Public anger is building against high prices of petrol and diesel. Between 2014 and 2018, due to low prices of crude oil, government saved Rs 15 per litre in the cost of production of petrol and also increased the excise duty by Rs 10 per litre. Same with diesel. With a relentless rise in retail prices, government has no choice but to cut the excise duties which it is loath to do. The one-trick pony has no other trick up its saddle.

Across the Aisle: Who will save the Constitution?

Sun, May 20, 2018

The question that remains is, will the legislators elected on their respective party symbols remain faithful to the party, to the voters who supported them, to the unwritten rules of a democracy, and to the Constitution of India?

Across the aisle: India is failing the test on J-K

Sun, May 13, 2018

There was no animosity between the stone-pelting youth of Kashmir Valley and Thirumani’s family. His death was, what is heartlessly called, collateral damage.

Across the aisle: State election, nation-wide effect

Sun, May 06, 2018

Mr Siddaramaiah must prove that his decision to contest from two seats did not prevent him from campaigning vigorously for the maximum number of Congress candidates. Above all, he must keep the focus on 2 Reddys + 1 Yeddy — a slogan gifted by Mr Modi!