Behind India’s hoopla about GST and GDP is a grim reality
By RN Bhaskar
Lately, there has been a great deal of excitement over India’s GST (Goods and Services Tax) collections climbing by another 13% on a year-on-year basis. And people...
http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/economic-growth-continues-to-falter/1202361
Economic growth sputters. . .
— By RN Bhaskar | Jan 11, 2018 07:30 am
So it is finally official. For the second year in a row, India’s GVA (Gross Value Added) growth has slowed down. It went up during 2015-16. It appeared...
http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/demonetisation-devilry-quo-vadis-where-are-you-going-rn-bhaskar/984040
Demonetisation dilemmas: the possible consequences
The Cassandras are out in full force. Their numbers are growing. And the chorus includes some big names – Paul Krugman, Manmohan Singh and Kaushik Basu among others.
Now research from the Fitch affiliated India Ratings...
http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/post-demonetisation-three-steps-that-the-government-should-take/976762
Three steps to make demonetisation work
The die has been cast. Currency notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 denominations have been rendered illegal sinnce the midnight of 8 November, 2016. The government carefully avoided the term “demonetisation” because that would require...
https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/the-government-makes-farmers-more-sarkar-nirbhar-not-atma-nirbhar-writes-rn-bhaskar
The government makes farmers more sarkar nirbhar, not atma nirbhar
RN Bhaskar
Last week, the government shocked economy watchers when it announced an extension of the ban on futures trading in select agricultural commodities for a year. It would appear that...
http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/legalise-work-permits-for-immigrants/1118599
Work-permits for migrants needed urgently
— By RN Bhaskar | Aug 10, 2017 07:34 am
Hatred against immigrants is not peculiar to India alone. But it is at its peak when economic conditions are harsh, and a local population looks unkindly at people...
When banking jeopardises depositors' interests
—Feb 11, 2016 12:26 am
http://www.freepressjournal.in/when-banking-becomes-a-nightmare-rn-bhaskar/777519
Expect public sector banks (PSBs) to come under increasing pressure in the coming two years. They will groan under swelling non-performing assets (NPAs). People, who thought that the worst was...
https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/economic-policy-little-vision-less-consultation
Auto sector revival key to economic revival
RN Bhaskar – August 22, 2019
Budget reviews are normally written within a fortnight after the papers are tabled in Parliament. This belated review comes in the wake of sharply declining sales, slashing of...
R N Bhaskar
24 August 2015
The government is keen on strengthening Aadhaar. That will allow it to effectively implement its Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) programme across the country.
But there is a gaping hole in the entire process. India has been...
Trump’s lies about Venezuela
By RN Bhaskar and Sakeena Bari Sayyed
Image source: Market Watch
January 3, 2026, was a red-letter day – for Venezuela, the US, the world and international law. All of them will now face consequences that will go...










































