Page 9 - T N Ninan

Re-think GST: No economy can afford to persist with a failed tax experiment

Let's pretend no more that the system isn't broken. The Centre needs to break heads in the GST Council and work out new slabs and rates (the fewer the better) and make a fresh start, writes T N Ninan

India's economy and BJP's ambitious political thrust on divergent tracks

The ruling party may have assumed the economy will revive on its own before next elections, but such facile belief can come unstuck if current directions are not reversed quickly, writes T N Ninan

Darkening clouds: Govt denial, inadequate response are not helping economy

If we go on being inward-looking, how will the system open up? Those that are not competitive locking competitive ones out of markets cannot be a way to get to the $5-trn dream, writes T N Ninan

Now, the kitchen sink: Finance minister has kissed fiscal restraint goodbye

Lack of demand ails the economy. But that's not addressed, nor are declining exports; the bad old habit of 'loan melas' is back; and tax has been cut in a way that hurts states, writes T N Ninan

Why the FM has a point about app-based taxis impacting car demand

With economic slowdown, financial sector woes, the wait for stricter emission norms also at play, why don't car makers who can afford to slash prices do so to keep sales ticking, asks T N Ninan

Why the India story could lose global appeal: It's the economy, stupid!

Key personages in the govt, and that includes the prime minister, must engage directly and actively to prevent the current downturn from morphing into 1980s-level growth rates, writes T N Ninan

A long haul yet before the narrative on the economic crises really changes

While change will have to come first in consumption to spur corporate investment, depression in the farm sector needs attention. Besides, all structural issues wait to be addressed, writes T N Ninan

Economic growth problem: It's time now for Modi-II to undo the damage

Aiming for unachievable growth rates would compound past errors. The economy has to lower its sights, and do some hard thinking about how to come out of the present hole, writes T N Ninan

Tipping point: India's export of services will soon exceed that of goods

As services exports succeed, the rupee will get stronger and the manufacturing sector will find it harder to compete globally, causing a shortage of domestic jobs for rural youth, writes T N Ninan

Fixing the demand slump: Seven reasons for slowdown, and possible solutions

The govt might look for quick fixes under pressure to revive the economy, but sustainable economic growth will continue to be elusive without structural changes, writes T N Ninan

No special treatment for foreigners alone, we Indians matter too

If foreigners need reasonable taxes, why offer citizens something else? If foreign businessmen look for assurance on the rule of law, so do citizens, writes T N Ninan

Imported horsemen: In Acharya, last one also departs; is India the loser?

Amid several macroeconomic challenges today, the government might have benefited from 'Harvard' economists' advice, but, judging by past record, it might not have paid them much heed, writes T N Ninan

Change or status quo? Reading the many interpretations of election outcome

Amid the narrative of change, there seems a deeply conservative preservation of the status quo; major change is reserved for Lutyens Delhiites in their new avatar as Khan Market gang, writes T N Ninan

Modi 1.0 was about political consolidation; will Modi 2.0 focus on economy?

Change will have to begin with the PM, who will have to show active interest in macro-economic issues, and address himself to understanding the key policy levers available to him, writes T N Ninan

Is there another financial crisis brewing in household debt?

The financing of households is fine if incomes keep growing. If not, high debt levels could begin to bite, and we will have a double whammy, writes T N Ninan

An under-performing economy makes a very fertile ground for populism

Facts and logic lead to the conclusion that India should be ready for slow growth; since there won't be enough jobs for the young, the fallout will be political and social, writes T N Ninan

Heralding a digital future for India: Aadhaar, Jio, Jan Dhan and GST

The rules for a new digital world will have to be framed carefully to prevent business capture as well as political misuse, and to protect citizens from predatory action, writes T N Ninan

Down the primrose path: BJP, Congress and a coarsening public discourse

BJP is not the only one to blame, but, being the new pole party in Indian politics, it should have sought to improve political conduct rather than setting the unfortunate tone, writes T N Ninan

The BJP election manifesto: High on output, short on outcome

If an election promise has to be credible, silence on practical questions or key policy issues doesn't help matters, writes T N Ninan

Promise, reality: Cong manifesto backs freedom, but spending plan worrying

Party unequivocally backs individual freedoms, but its commitment to increase government expenditure on key areas will be hard to implement, writes T N Ninan