Policy Watch

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/rn-bhaskar-2017-looking-back-looking-ahead/997952 Retrospective 2016 – looking back; looking ahead on e-payments There can be no doubt about it. If there is anything that 2016 will be remembered for in India, it will be the ‘de-legalisation’ of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes. Popularly referred...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/rn-bhaskar-the-sludge-and-the-fudge-in-education-sector/994226 Education – automatic promotions fudge data and corrode standards Last week, the legal department of the government of India finally agreed to modify the Right to Education (RTE) Act (http://mhrd.gov.in/rte). The RTE was successfully steered through Parliament in 2009.  Sadly,...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/e-payments-dangerous-unaccounted-exceptions/990815 E-payments: unaccounted exceptions lead to corrosion and corruption The phase of ‘demonetisation’ or de-legalising Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes is drawing to a close.  By 31 December, it will be known how much of the Rs.14.21 lakh crore will reach the...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/gst-government-corruption-two-ticking-time-bombs-rn-bhaskar/987468 Two ticking time bombs: government corruption and GST There’s a story about a man who decided to buy some furniture in the week following the announcement of demonetisation. He went to the local shop. He identified what he wanted, and...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/demonetisation-devilry-quo-vadis-where-are-you-going-rn-bhaskar/984040 Demonetisation dilemmas: the possible consequences The Cassandras are out in full force.  Their numbers are growing.  And the chorus includes some big names – Paul Krugman, Manmohan Singh and Kaushik Basu among others. Now research from the Fitch affiliated India Ratings...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/want-to-uproot-corruption-try-this/980341 Want to uproot corruption? Try this How does one win confidence of people, and also strengthen the Indian economy? That is no easy task. After all, most Indians feel deprived; and vulnerable. India remains a country where 53% of its wealth...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/post-demonetisation-three-steps-that-the-government-should-take/976762 Three steps to make demonetisation work The die has been cast.  Currency notes of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 denominations have been rendered illegal sinnce the midnight of 8 November, 2016. The government carefully avoided the term “demonetisation” because that would require...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/demonetisation-short-term-brilliance-long-term-pain/973092 Policy Watch Will demonetisation work? Or will it erode the rupee? Rn bhaskar On the night of 8 November, Prime minister Modi dropped a bombshell. He announced through a national TV address that the government was demonetising Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes from...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/good-listening-for-good-governance-r-n-bhaskar/969318 Policy watch Good listening is imperative for good governance Rn bhaskar The present government won a huge mandate from the people of India. One reason was that it promised to bring in good governance.  But many people in the government forget one...

http://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/the-gordion-knot-where-will-jobs-come-from-r-n-bhaskar/965953 The Gordian Knot: Where will jobs come from? — By R N Bhaskar | Nov 03, 2016 08:07 am The central government is believed to be getting the jitters. Unemployment rates have soared.  New jobs that were promised have not materialised. And...