The politics and economics behind the two DFCs
RN Bhaskar
By any reckoning, the dedicated freight corridor (DFC) idea was a great concept.
Immensely relevant
As J M Baxi, noted consultant, states (https://www.jmbaxi.com/newsletter/issue-xxvi/dedicated-freight-corridor.html), “The existing trunk routes of Howrah-Delhi on the Eastern Corridor...
Can the government be wiser than the markets when it comes to capital allocation?
By RN Bhaskar
Economists are generally agreed that governments can be terribly poor in allocation of resources for economic development.
Yes, there are exceptions. When a nation is...
Will debt spur India’s GDP growth this time despite textiles languishing?
RN Bhaskar
On 31 October, 2023, the RBI governor, Shaktikanta Das, stated that the growth momentum in the economy continues to be strong, and that the GDP number for the...
Derivatives, USA and Armageddon
By RN Bhaskar
In a way, the world has been too gentle with the US. It has allowed that country to play around with other people’s money, to create and abrogate treaties at will, to stoutly deny...
Splurge even if you are going bankrupt
RN Bhaskar
Most economists agree that governments can either control interest rates, or exchange rates. They cannot do both. If the government controls interest rates to tamp down inflation, then the repercussions will be...
India stunts its middle-class growth
RN Bhaskar
Not a month passes by in India without eulogies being paid to this country’s growing middle class. This is important for several reasons. The middle class has purchasing power. The greater the number of...
Health issues smothered by wealth concerns - medical education is the casualty
RN Bhaskar
On 22 September the country’s leading publications stated that the National Medical Commission (NMC) had barred Tamil Nadu from adding any new medical seats (https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nmcs-new-guidelines-may-have-adverse-impact-on-tamil-nadu-experts-101695756143484.html).
The result was...
Policy Watch
Financial traps through Aadhaar and NPCI
RN Bhaskar
In the last week of September, government officials were rudely shaken by questions raised by Moody's Investors Service regarding the reliability of Aadhaar, specifically concerning biometric technology's effectiveness in India's hot and...
Inflated views and deflated economy
RN Bhaskar
“When India moves forward, the world moves forward”
“Today's India is leaving behind the mentality of slavery and embracing that ancient glory of art.”
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, on 28 May 2023 -- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1927866
Leaders...
Great plans for an India-ME-Europe corridor to mimic China’s BRI
By RN Bhaskar
On 9 September, the US While House put out a notification (https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/09/fact-sheet-world-leaders-launch-a-landmark-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/). It informed the world the following: “Today, we the leaders of the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the...
