-The Economic Times Government’s forced mega merger of public sector banks could scupper economic recovery. I am not saying we maintain a Panglossian countenance, that we smile away every difficulty. But, in any real economy, the mood is very important,’ observed Reserve Bank of India governor Shaktikanta Das, speaking at an event in Mumbai late August. Sound advice. Sentiment matters. Irrational despondency can be as damaging for the economy as ‘irrational exuberance’. But...

-The Telegraph An MP loses his entitlement to pension and perks if he is appointed the President, Vice-President or is re-elected to either House or gets employed in the government New Delhi: An RTI query seeking details on allowances and pensions to former MPs who are chief ministers has resulted in a strange reply. The information, the Lok Sabha secretariat has informed, was "personal", so details would not be shared. According to the...

-The Hindu “Technical flaws” may have caused exclusion of Bengali Hindu refugees, says State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. New Delhi: The Assam government and the ruling BJP in the State have termed the finalisation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) list there as a “mixed bag” with concerns being raised over several “technical flaws” in the process that may have caused exclusion of Bengali Hindu refugees who had crossed over...

-Newsclick.in Allowing 100% FDI in coal mining is raising apprehensions that foreign companies will now ‘plunder’ mineral resources for commercial purposes for sale in the open market. The Narendra Modi government’s decision to allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in coal mining has been opposed by the Left on the ground it would enable multinational mining companies to “plunder” the country’s mineral resources. Those supporting the move, however, argue that foreign investment in...

-The Telegraph Investors may be buying stocks again, but fundamental drivers such as expected corporate performance remain unchanged Sentiments matter for economic growth. Optimistic or upbeat sentiments encourage consumers to buy and borrow; businesses, on the other hand, are spurred to plan and invest. But when in reverse gear, downbeat or negative sentiments can hold back spending, restricting activities and stifling growth. For an economy seeking to revive itself, be it India...