Subhomoy Bhattacharjee

India's semiconductor ambitions take wing but water, talent issues remain

Semiconductor manufacturing requires extremely large volumes of pure and cold water, which only some states have; attracting the right talent also a challenge

Govt mulls bond issue for middle-class, rates could beat retail inflation

The new scheme, likely to be backed by Nabfid, aims to offer retail investors an alternative savings route to equity markets

Limited appetite raises questions on insurance FDI growth projections

The pace of FDI utilisation has been slow. Among private-sector non-life insurers, no company has reached the current 74 per cent threshold

Electronics component manufacturers eye govt support in Budget 2025

Electronics manufacturers hope for a production-linked incentive scheme in the upcoming Budget, while the government hopes production can move to Tier II towns to generate jobs

Health, education spending by states trails economy's nominal growth rates

State governments have consistently underspent on health and education, trailing the economy's nominal growth. Despite rising demands, priorities remain unchanged, as data reveals concerning trends

PMO launches new maritime strategy, to infuse funds into port sector

With almost all major ports languishing with low traffic levels, the funds will go a long way towards expanding cargo capacity and improving port facilities

In landmark ruling, SC strikes down State's power to seize private property

The ruling calls into question the doctrine of eminent domain, where state could summarily acquire private property, particularly land, for public use, and redefines the economic powers of the state

Coal, Power ministries plan winter coordination to prevent power shortages

While summer marks peak power demand across the country, with aggregate demand going beyond 250 GW on some days this year, winter highs also need to be watched

Satellite spectrum wars: No auction, foreign companies likely to benefit

Despite domestic telcos' insistence, earlier legal judgements have only called auction 'preferable' in the case of natural resources

CAG shines a light on state govts' expenses, asks officials for clarity

The CAG last week raised concerns over unclassified expenditures, questioning state finance secretaries over 'hidden' funds marked for various handouts

Eastern Freight Corridor cut short; major project runs into land hurdles

The Eastern arm of DFCCIL's Dedicated Freight Corridor has been cut short by 538 km, leaving a key segment unfinished due to land acquisition issues and weakening economic viability

IOC rights issue deferral signals no GOI shift on disinvestment policy

Indian Oil's decision to withdraw its Rs 22,000 crore rights issue highlights the govt's reluctance to reduce its stake in state-run enterprises, as fiscal priorities shift to sectors like rail, roads

Singapore seeks Indian forbearance on Chinese components in projects

Singapore has made it clear that it will place the highest priority on ensuring the presence of Chinese components in joint ventures with Indian counterparts is kept to a minimum

India's first transshipment port Vizhinjam nears operational launch

The Vizhinjam port will also be the first mega port to come up since 1999 when Mundra began operations

Small industries struggle as power prices continue to climb across India

Despite lower fuel costs, electricity prices for small industries have surged across major Indian states, threatening their viability and hampering their capacity to generate employment

Railways delays ambitious PPP train plan due to capacity, land issues

The Railway Ministry's public-private partnership plan to offer 150 pairs of trains has been pushed further as safety, capacity challenges remain

How can the road ahead for lateral entry in bureaucracy be smoother?

The govt's biggest lateral hiring initiative came undone in three days, but the issue remains alive

Ministries set to miss deadline? Govt's 100-day programme faces uncertainty

The government's 100-day timetable is set to conclude by mid-September, yet very few departments are publicly updating their progress toward meeting their targets

Micro credit boss Muhammad Yunus may need to curb anathema to profit

Bangladesh's new interim government head Muhammad Yunus, now Chief Adviser, stresses ethical business practices and social entrepreneurship while addressing Bangladesh's economic revival

Joint satellite to port, unrest to stall key India-Bangladesh projects

The satellite launch project was the cherry on top of a long list of projects the two countries had agreed upon in recent years