The last word

The ostensible reason for this nightmarish return to the 1950s’ import regime is India’s push to replace imports with domestic production, without violating the terms of Information Technology Agreement (ITA)–1, under which India cannot levy tariffs on 250 electronic items. (AP)

Laptops and tomatoes: Changes that show how little has changed

4 min read . 31 Aug 2023

Delays in GST compensation paid to states highlight problems in India’s fiscal system, including a lack of timely audits, even as the cess that funds it seems headed unfortunately for permanency.

Six years of GST: Compensation cess still needs to be sorted out

4 min read . 04 Aug 2023

Among the freebies currently on offer in Madhya Pradesh is free electricity up to 100 units (kilowatt hours), 50% subsidy beyond that up to 200 units, and full rate levy thereafter

Define boundaries and state the fiscal costs of election freebies

4 min read . 06 Jul 2023

Washington Capitol (iStockphoto)

The US debt ceiling mess shows why a Fiscal Council is a bad idea

4 min read . 01 Jun 2023

Re-globalization with risk control should also mean a growth relook

4 min read . 07 Apr 2023

State governments have chosen between two pension schemes

4 min read . 05 Jan 2023

State governments shifted along with the central government out of the OPS to the new pension scheme (NPS) without any coercion, because they saw the sense of it. (mint)

State elections and the troubling return of the old pension scheme

4 min read . 02 Dec 2022

States have indulged in off-budget borrowing much before 2016-17, but, unlike at Centre, these have not been brought on-budget so far. Photo: Mint

The states must get their fiscal act together

4 min read . 02 Sep 2022