Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is either incredibly clever or a budding illusionist. Little else can explain his presentation of the Union Budget on Monday, February 28.

Agriculture and allied activities are likely to grow at 5.4 per cent in 2010-11, compared to just 0.4 per cent last year, according to data released by Central Statistical Organisation.

Lending rates may not go up immediately, even though the RBI on Tuesday raised key short-term policy rates by 25 basis points to check high inflation, bankers said.

The short-term lending (repo) rate has been hiked to 6.50 per cent and the borrowing (reverse repo) to 5.50 per cent, a move that will make funds expensive for banks.

The multilateral lending agency, however, expressed concern over rising prices and underlined the need for controlling inflationary expectations by more monetary actions.

The week is only getting better, with food inflation dropping to 8. 6 per cent for the week ended November 20, from 10.15 per cent in the previous week.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said though he never agreed with the International Monetary Fund's estimates about India, it may prove to be correct this time around.

The second quarter results for 2010-11 indicate that the Indian markets have bounced back, with most companies exceeding analysts' expectations.

Most of the 30 forecasters were of the view that inflation as measured by the wholesale price index (WPI) would be in the range of 6-6.9 per cent by the March next year.

Clarifying that the survey does not represent the views of RBI, it said forecasters have slightly revised the projections for economic growth to 8.5 per cent this financial year.

Credit growth is slackening, but it is unlikely to have much of an impact on the economic growth, with alternative channels, including foreign inflows, expected to fuel many sectors of the economy.

After being range-bound for the past 10 months, the markets seem poised for a big move-but could go either way.

Looking for one central theme for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in 1992, political strategist James Carville had come up with a line that became a memorable slogan: ‘It’s the economy, Stupid”. For a few days after the announcement of January figures of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) this slogan reflected the mood and movements on the stock markets.

Market is uncertain. Gains will be slow and selective. Here is how to navigate successfully.

Efficiency brought in by an open economy, top class entrepreneurs, high savings rate and young population will collectively deliver 8-9 per cent growth over the next decade.

Shyam Saran, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister on Climate Change, discusses some of the criticisms levied against India on its stance on climate change.

A book on India and China—and not on India vs China—that is practical and incisive.

PM’s Economic Advisory Council expects 2009-10 to be better than 2008-09—pleasant news in the current gloomy environment. But what underlies its optimism?

BT’s Anniversary Specials? ?have not just been chronicling the travails and triumphs of India Inc. but also been guiding and setting the agenda for it. Here’s the proof:

The green signal for a $700-billion bailout of US banks wasn’t enough to turn the tide in global financial markets. Even six of the world’s central banks coming together to release hundreds of billions into the system couldn’t stem the panic. It has to get worse before it gets better. Puja Mehra reports.