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OPINION

MFIs revival: Does India really need a new microfinance institution?
Instead of promoting a new social microfinance institution, the government should build on the existing and vibrant microfinance sector to cater to its envisioned need
Rebooting Economy XVIII: Does quality education really matter to India?
Without quality education, no economy can progress, at least not in today's technology and knowledge-driven globalised world order. Economists and policymakers know this well yet pay no attention
ITR form: Govt extends deadlines for filing tax returns, other related compliances; check out details
The extension of timelines for filing tax returns and other related tax compliances is a well-thought-out measure, as due to lockdown it is difficult for individual taxpayers to obtain necessary documentation required for preparation of tax returns and file their returns on time
Income Tax Return: Govt notifies revised Form 26AS; check what's new in it
Form 26AS is all-inclusive document for ease of reference for taxpayers both at the return filing stage and at the time of assessment proceedings
Rebooting Economy XVII: Why governments promote shadow banking
Solutions to shadow banking risks are well-documented: tightening regulations, extending central banks' cover as lender-of-last-resort, mandating deposit insurance to prevent overnight collapse, controlling trade in highly complex, opaque and high-risk derivatives and changing short-term-funding-long-term-lending business model
Rebooting Economy XVI: How governments run shadow banking and risk financial stability
That shadow banking was at the core of the financial sector meltdown that led to the Great Recession of 2007-08 is well documented and so is the fact that it remains big and powerful enough to cause serious financial crisis and yet, India and the US continue to promote it
Rebooting Economy XV: Why shadow banking should worry policymakers in India and elsewhere
RBI has warned that economic disruptions may intensify systemic risks to India's financial sector primarily because NBFCs remain vulnerable with their deteriorating asset quality and reluctance of the market to lend them money. On the global front, there is little to cheer about shadow banking
How future partnerships, collaborations will roll out in a COVID world
Partnerships and collaborations, especially those through a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model with governments, will indeed play a key role in advancing public health and the economy in this COVID era
Rebooting Economy XIV: Debt vs equity; why businesses are debt-driven
Most governments across the world incentivise debts to drive business even when it leads to over-borrowing, economic instability, tax evasion and adversely impacts investment in public goods. In contrast, equity-driven business has none of these ill-effects, produces better economic outcomes too
Rebooting Economy XIII: Why Indian corporates are debt-ridden
India faces a fresh threat of NPAs with RBI warning dramatic rise in loan default rate from 8.5% in FY20 to 14.7% in FY21. A global study shows the Indian corporate sector was most debt-stressed with 43% of long-term loans vulnerable to default even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit