Articles by Pramit Bhattacharya
Three governance tasks that confront new government
How it addresses them will determine whether the BJP wins back its mojo or cedes ground to a resurgent Opposition
![New Delhi, Jun 09 (ANI): Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi addresses a meeting with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders before the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet and council of ministers, at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI Photo) (ANI) New Delhi, Jun 09 (ANI): Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi addresses a meeting with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders before the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet and council of ministers, at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI Photo) (ANI)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/06/17/150x84/New-Delhi--Jun-09--ANI---Prime-Minister-designate-_1718647311413.jpg)
Updated on Jun 18, 2024 12:15 AM IST
Reforming civil services is key to improving delivery
If the Indian State is to meet 21st-century needs, it will need an ample supply of fresh thinking and knowledgeable personnel.
![UPSC civil services exam UPSC civil services exam](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/06/03/148x111/4e4ee616-1d60-11ec-8752-7a8d4023984b_1632506768145_1717427792583.jpg)
Published on Jun 03, 2024 10:04 PM IST
Inequality debate must centre around evidence
The world’s largest democracy also needs to have a reasoned debate on inequality. Gathering detailed evidence on inequality patterns should be the first step
![Countries that are poorer than the United States (US) also tend to be poorer in statistics (AP) Countries that are poorer than the United States (US) also tend to be poorer in statistics (AP)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/05/20/148x111/164b0ab4-d76a-11ec-a9a0-a5db2aa6f789_1652967586240_1716217333941.jpg)
Published on May 20, 2024 10:00 PM IST
Extraordinary legacy of a grounded economist
A doyen of Left-Keynesian economists, KN Raj found admirers even among economists who leaned Right.
![Kakkadan Nandanath Rajan,(Fotokannan at Malayalam Wikipedia/ Wikimedia Commons) Kakkadan Nandanath Rajan,(Fotokannan at Malayalam Wikipedia/ Wikimedia Commons)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/05/07/148x111/Kakkadan_Nandanath_Rajan_1715096983898_1715097049071.jpg)
Published on May 07, 2024 10:00 PM IST
Why the Swatantra Party could not be resurrected
While a modern-day Swatantra Party may be unviable, some of its ideas do resonate with India’s increasingly vocal middle class
![C Rajagopalachari. (HT Photo) C Rajagopalachari. (HT Photo)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/04/22/148x111/2c_v_1701769975073_1713800194415.jpg)
Published on Apr 22, 2024 10:00 PM IST
Poll finance is waiting for a clean-up by ECI
Creating a level-playing field for elections should not just mean reining in central investigative agencies that are selectively targeting Opposition leaders.
![Election staff scans serial numbers of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) before dispatching them from a warehouse in Ahmedabad.(Amit Dave / Reuters) Election staff scans serial numbers of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) before dispatching them from a warehouse in Ahmedabad.(Amit Dave / Reuters)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/04/08/148x111/3_1712579498576_1712589037133.jpg)
Published on Apr 08, 2024 10:00 PM IST
How a popular strand of economics lost its shine
If 2008 marked the rise of behavioural economics, 2023 marks a year of reckoning. The Gino-Colada affair has blown the lid off a simmering crisis in the field
![If 2008 marked the rise of behavioural economics, 2023 marks a year of reckoning. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Representational image) If 2008 marked the rise of behavioural economics, 2023 marks a year of reckoning. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/Representational image)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/12/11/148x111/Three-days-after-Chandigarh-Police-suspended-sub-i_1696968376309_1702306875108.jpg)
Published on Dec 11, 2023 10:00 PM IST
Getting Indian banks back on the track
India’s poorly governed banking sector remains ill-equipped to support and sustain a recovery in investments.
![State Bank of India (SBI), would report a steep increase in bad loans every time its chairperson changed. (Bloomberg) State Bank of India (SBI), would report a steep increase in bad loans every time its chairperson changed. (Bloomberg)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/11/27/148x111/INDIA-SBI-2_1677749716104_1677749716104_1701100175144.jpg)
Published on Nov 27, 2023 10:11 PM IST
The welfare programme economists loved to hate
Unlike several populist schemes that disproportionately benefit rural elites, MGNREGS reaches precisely those who need the State’s help the most.
![MGNREGS workers. (HT Photo/File) MGNREGS workers. (HT Photo/File)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/11/14/148x111/556f8fde-92dd-11ec-bacd-e5fb1910eafa_1645430838615_1699964169662.jpg)
Published on Nov 14, 2023 05:52 PM IST
Needed, a new contract between RBI and GOI
Recent revelations by a former central banker and a former bureaucrat have put the spotlight on the relationship between the RBI and the Union finance ministry.
![RBI has enjoyed operational independence to set short-term interest rates under the new monetary policy framework. (HT FILE PHOTO) RBI has enjoyed operational independence to set short-term interest rates under the new monetary policy framework. (HT FILE PHOTO)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/10/03/148x111/The-Reserve-Bank-of-India--RBI--has-imposed-a-mone_1680025726095_1696323866184.jpg)
Published on Oct 03, 2023 03:13 PM IST
Making India’s DPI model work for all
Challenges in India's DPI, such as the lack of a robust legal framework for data protection and exclusion in the Aadhaar system need to be addressed.
![The adoption of the DPI model could open up new vistas of opportunities for India’s IT sector while raising the country’s profile globally.(Getty Images) The adoption of the DPI model could open up new vistas of opportunities for India’s IT sector while raising the country’s profile globally.(Getty Images)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/09/20/148x111/Digital_India_1680734934905_1695219410185.jpg)
Published on Sep 20, 2023 09:29 PM IST
Laptop curbs are linked to our Swadeshi legacy
76 years after Independence, we need to have a more mature debate on the colonial legacy
![The economic liberalisation of 1991 swept aside restrictions on international flows of goods, services and capital(HT Archive/HT Photo by N Thyagarajan.) The economic liberalisation of 1991 swept aside restrictions on international flows of goods, services and capital(HT Archive/HT Photo by N Thyagarajan.)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/08/22/148x111/10408-04473-000-000_1692714798911_1692714808910.jpg)
Published on Aug 22, 2023 10:37 PM IST
Economic ties bind states. Nurture them
Differences between states often get attention. But integration of the Indian market and demographic transition can be central forces for driving cooperation
![The introduction of GST has diminished the fiscal powers of states,(iStockphoto) The introduction of GST has diminished the fiscal powers of states,(iStockphoto)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/07/24/148x111/46b20e36-6bb8-11ed-a20b-ccf96773636d_1669890774498_1669890774498_1690210662598.jpg)
Published on Jul 24, 2023 09:33 PM IST
The economic impact of the Indian diaspora
The diaspora's role in the development of poor countries, particularly in China and India, has reshaped views on diaspora economics.
![Today, politicians of different hues — from Narendra Modi to Rahul Gandhi — strive hard to reach out to the Indian diaspora during their trips abroad.(PTI) Today, politicians of different hues — from Narendra Modi to Rahul Gandhi — strive hard to reach out to the Indian diaspora during their trips abroad.(PTI)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/07/10/148x111/Members-of-the-Indian-diaspora-in-Washington---PTI_1687280136740_1689000706261.jpg)
Published on Jul 10, 2023 09:20 PM IST
AI governance must involve labour unions
As companies adopt AI, labour and civil society groups need to have a say to boost overall economic productivity and wages
![Many firms may be tempted to deploy AI-based tools to track and control employees rather than to empower them. (Thinkstock) Many firms may be tempted to deploy AI-based tools to track and control employees rather than to empower them. (Thinkstock)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/06/13/148x111/_0c908d24-270d-11ea-822c-9a9bb451da23_1686632194781.jpg)
Published on Jun 13, 2023 10:40 AM IST
Environment may be a new federal faultline
The burden of protecting India’s environmental resources is bound to be unequal across states and regions
![If farmers are to be protected against erratic rains, and slum dwellers in India’s poorly designed cities against torrid heat waves, efforts to conserve forests and other natural resources must be redoubled(HT File) If farmers are to be protected against erratic rains, and slum dwellers in India’s poorly designed cities against torrid heat waves, efforts to conserve forests and other natural resources must be redoubled(HT File)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/05/29/148x111/Diversion-as-per-the-Forest-Conservation-Rules-ncl_1682017923587_1685367772139.jpg)
Published on May 29, 2023 08:39 PM IST
For better policymaking, pay more attention to the role of economists
The health of the economics discipline matters a great deal as the ideas of economists have a significant impact, both when they are right and wrong
![Why did economists have so little influence on such momentous decisions? (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Why did economists have so little influence on such momentous decisions? (Getty Images/iStockphoto)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/05/15/150x84/Why-did-economists-have-so-little-influence-on-suc_1684159259636.jpg)
Updated on May 15, 2023 07:38 PM IST
Trade unions in the age of automation
The age of automation will give rise to new insecurities, and trade unions can regain their salience. But they must devise a new plan to recover lost ground
![Labour organisations should play a key role in shaping the future of automation so that firms deploy worker-empowering rather than worker-displacing innovations (Shutterstock) Labour organisations should play a key role in shaping the future of automation so that firms deploy worker-empowering rather than worker-displacing innovations (Shutterstock)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/05/01/150x84/Labour-organisations-should-play-a-key-role-in-sha_1682946719086.jpg)
Updated on May 01, 2023 06:42 PM IST
A plan to counter China economically
The most effective response to China lies in raising India’s economic growth over the long run
![As several economists have argued, India cannot expect to become a key node in global supply chains unless it opens its doors for trade (Shutterstock) As several economists have argued, India cannot expect to become a key node in global supply chains unless it opens its doors for trade (Shutterstock)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/04/17/150x84/As-several-economists-have-argued--India-cannot-ex_1681739825894.jpg)
Updated on Apr 17, 2023 07:32 PM IST
Weathering the next global economic crisis
India’s macroeconomic defences remain a work in progress. The gaps in its defences could be exposed in the event of a big crisis
![Over the past three years, government finances have improved. In a crisis, the government may be better placed to offer fiscal support now (Shutterstock) Over the past three years, government finances have improved. In a crisis, the government may be better placed to offer fiscal support now (Shutterstock)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/04/03/150x84/Over-the-past-three-years--government-finances-hav_1680528942644.jpg)
Updated on Apr 03, 2023 07:07 PM IST
Fixing gender imbalance in the Indian economy
To deal with one of India’s biggest civilisational challenges, both economic and cultural instruments of change must work in tandem.
![The gender imbalance in India’s formal workforce is as much a cultural challenge as an economic one (HT ARCHIVE) The gender imbalance in India’s formal workforce is as much a cultural challenge as an economic one (HT ARCHIVE)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/03/06/150x84/The-gender-imbalance-in-India-s-formal-workforce-i_1678110365854.jpg)
Updated on Mar 06, 2023 07:19 PM IST
Adani saga exposes key regulatory chinks
The row raises questions about Sebi’s enforcement of regulations, and the restrictions on short selling in India. Both must be tackled urgently
![The impact on the broader market has been limited so far, partly because of limited retail participation in Adani stocks (REUTERS) The impact on the broader market has been limited so far, partly because of limited retail participation in Adani stocks (REUTERS)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2023/02/20/150x84/The-impact-on-the-broader-market-has-been-limited-_1676899404959.jpg)
Updated on Feb 20, 2023 06:56 PM IST
The wealth tax India should learn to use
A tax on wealth is often discussed, but has proven hard to implement the world over. Instead, India must focus on building a progressive and effective property tax system
![Building an effective and progressive property tax system can reduce wealth inequality, improve urban services, and push up productivity and growth at the same time (PTI) Building an effective and progressive property tax system can reduce wealth inequality, improve urban services, and push up productivity and growth at the same time (PTI)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2023/01/23/150x84/Building-an-effective-and-progressive-property-tax_1674481245012.jpg)
Updated on Jan 24, 2023 03:05 PM IST
Reimagining how the Reserve Bank functions
The central bank’s ability to support India’s growth journey will depend on how it meets four key challenges, namely risk management, consumer protection, autonomy, and accountability
![Ahead of the 2008 global financial crash, RBI’s conservatism saved India from the worst of the financial crunch that paralysed the rest of the world. Ahead of the 2008 global financial crash, RBI’s conservatism saved India from the worst of the financial crunch that paralysed the rest of the world.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2023/01/09/148x111/a5c50cb0-52dc-11ed-8a59-5e5f37abaae9_1666534463203_1673274244822_1673274244822.jpg)
Published on Jan 09, 2023 07:54 PM IST
Four challenges that await India at G20
India takes over as the president of the group in December. It must set the ball rolling to reform the G20, set new limits on economic warfare, reshape the global green agenda and prevent debt-related crises
![The G20 presidency offers India an opportunity to highlight solutions to some of the world’s trickiest challenges. But the world will take such proposals seriously only if they are backed with rigorous analysis (WikiCommons) The G20 presidency offers India an opportunity to highlight solutions to some of the world’s trickiest challenges. But the world will take such proposals seriously only if they are backed with rigorous analysis (WikiCommons)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/10/31/150x84/afbc44e2-591f-11ed-8f96-a5c1f3470f4c_1667223518249.jpg)
Updated on Oct 31, 2022 07:10 PM IST
State-led industrialisation is making a comeback
Industrial Policy 2.0 is not without its risks. It could lead to cronyism, helping entrenched conglomerates set up new lines of businesses
![The innocent idea that we can all depend on and prosper from unfettered and uninterrupted global supply chains finds few takers today. Globalisation is not dead yet. But the forces of de-globalisation are gaining strength, finding powerful political patrons across the world. Old Statist ideas, long discarded, are making a comeback. (Bloomberg) The innocent idea that we can all depend on and prosper from unfettered and uninterrupted global supply chains finds few takers today. Globalisation is not dead yet. But the forces of de-globalisation are gaining strength, finding powerful political patrons across the world. Old Statist ideas, long discarded, are making a comeback. (Bloomberg)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/10/17/150x84/8d7bd858-4e0b-11ed-9b0c-d1cd99c27b9b_1666018170336.jpg)
Published on Oct 17, 2022 08:19 PM IST
How festivals may shape the economy
In India, the September-November festive season has a decisive impact on the economy because it drives up consumption and acts as a bellwether for the year ahead
![If the festival stimulus is strong, analysts tend to be more optimistic about the year ahead. If not, sales and consumption forecasts are revised downward (SUNIL GHOSH/HT PHOTO) If the festival stimulus is strong, analysts tend to be more optimistic about the year ahead. If not, sales and consumption forecasts are revised downward (SUNIL GHOSH/HT PHOTO)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/09/19/150x84/e181cda4-380d-11ed-8b5b-641320d18bc4_1663595241173.jpg)
Updated on Sep 19, 2022 07:18 PM IST
A political shield for inflation warriors
World over, central banks understand the need FLAto engineer a mild recession to avoid a stagflationary trap and are confident to make this step public. In India, the tradition of shooting the messenger prevents RBI from delivering this message emphatically. This needs to change
![RBI should view the inflation-targeting law as a political and constitutional shield for doing its job, rather than as some kind of shaming mechanism. It should use the law to stick to its core mandate of price stability (MINT) RBI should view the inflation-targeting law as a political and constitutional shield for doing its job, rather than as some kind of shaming mechanism. It should use the law to stick to its core mandate of price stability (MINT)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/09/05/150x84/f5a24668-2d01-11ed-b063-b28d2006e403_1662388226017.jpg)
Updated on Sep 05, 2022 08:04 PM IST
The great divergence across South Asia
Of the four large nations in the region, India is the only one that has financial autonomy. This has been possible due to a conservative economic policy mix and diversity, and constitutional stability
![Without social cohesion, inclusive growth, and institutional renewal, India’s economic autonomy will be at peril. Our exceptional history is no guarantee of our future well-being. (Shutterstock) Without social cohesion, inclusive growth, and institutional renewal, India’s economic autonomy will be at peril. Our exceptional history is no guarantee of our future well-being. (Shutterstock)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/08/08/150x84/4739304c-1725-11ed-8358-7fa7ce60ff28_1659968669276.jpg)
Updated on Aug 08, 2022 07:55 PM IST
The aftermath of the Sen-Bhagwati debate
In 2013, shortly after the rupee crisis, the two economists sparred on India’s governance priorities. Modi’s win in 2014 might have symbolised the rise of the Bhagwati model, but Sen’s ideas seem to have been more successful under this government
![The push to provide more women with bank accounts and gas connections and the heavy State thrust on providing safe drinking water and improved sanitation are ringing endorsements of Sen’s ideas. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO) The push to provide more women with bank accounts and gas connections and the heavy State thrust on providing safe drinking water and improved sanitation are ringing endorsements of Sen’s ideas. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)](https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/07/11/150x84/bc07c146-0126-11ed-ab02-e6bf6409323d_1657550310759.jpg)
Updated on Jul 11, 2022 08:11 PM IST
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