https://www.firstpost.com/business/budget-2020-farmers-will-now-reap-what-the-govt-did-not-sow-agri-distress-to-continue-7994461.html
Budget2020 - A budget that could have made farmers smile
RN Bhaskar -- 3 February 2020
This Budget paid the most attention to agriculture—if the percentage of spending is the yardstick to go by
Once again, if the number of...
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/shouldnt-india-issue-a-travel-advisory-against-trips-to-the-us-4916171.html
Coronavirus and other epidemics: Shouldn’t India issue a travel advisory against trips to the US?
RN Bhaskar -- 6 Feb 2020
First, a caveat. The author is no authority on viruses, and has based his arguments on the basis of material...
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/budget-2020-not-new-courses-or-new-institutes-make-graduates-employable-4897131.html/amp
Has the government forgotten school education?
RN Bhaskar -- 3 Feb 2020
I propose to set up a project preparation facility for infrastructure projects. This programme would actively involve young engineers, management graduates and economists from our Universities.
It is also proposed...
https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/budget-2020-it-is-the-silence-that-speak-volumes
Budget2020
Budget2020 and the things it is silent about
RN Bhaskar – 1 Feb 2020
At first blush, the budget looks like a well-crafted document. It talks about aspirations, about agriculture and the caring concerns of the government.
But look close, and a...
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/budget-2020-solar-pump-scheme-may-be-good-for-farmers-but-is-susceptible-to-misuse-4892321.html
Budget2020
Solar pumps is a terribly bad idea
RN Bhaskar -- 1 Feb 2020
“I propose to expand the scheme to provide 20 lakh farmers for setting up stand‐alone solar pumps; further we shall also help another 15 lakh farmers solarise their...
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/warehousing-is-a-great-idea-but-the-linkages-need-to-be-fixed-to-make-it-work-4893161.html
Budget2020
Warehousing is a great idea, but the linkages are missing
RN Bhaskar -- 1 February 2020
India has an estimated capacity of 162 million MT of agri-warehousing, cold storage, reefer van facilities etc. NABARD will undertake an exercise to map and...
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/budget-2020-airconditioned-freight-for-perishable-food-cost-will-be-the-critical-factor-4894101.html
Budget2020
Airconditioned freight? Who will bear the cost?
RN Bhaskar -- 1 February 2020
To build a seamless national cold supply chain for perishables, inclusive of milk, meat and fish, the Indian Railways will set up a “Kisan Rail” – through PPP...
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/the-mood-is-upbeat-with-swedish-companies-in-india
Interview: Anna Lekvall
A flourishing relationship between Sweden and India
By Jescilia Karayamparambil & RN Bhaskar -- January 31, 2020
Like her predecessors, Anna Lekvall, Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai, plans to continue focussing on business, looking at India-Sweden ties. She...
https://www.firstpost.com/business/budget-2020-govt-must-give-priority-to-agriculture-empower-farm-sector-to-revive-economy-dont-hand-out-doles-and-sops-7978151.html
To revive the economy please look at agriculture first
RN Bhaskar -- Jan 31, 2020
Except for pampered farmers who grow rice and wheat (where the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures their produce), and plantation growers, most other farmers...
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/budget-2020-dont-cripple-the-nation-with-onerous-import-duties-4868191.html
Pre-budget notes #5
High import duties often pay for favoured promoters and votebanks, not the economy
The announcement of the budget is barely a week away. Government spokesmen claim it will kickstart a flagging economy. Hopefully it will. But if it...
