-The Hindu A stronger health system in a country can lead to better outcomes on the economic growth front When public health sneezes, the economy catches cold. Dire predictions for the post-COVID-19 global economy have come from the International Monetary Fund, which called the present crisis the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Grim forebodings for the Indian economy have been sounded by many distinguished economists and the Governor of the Reserve...

-TheWire.in India’s economic package for MSMEs is far reaching and reformatory. But does the rubber meet the road, as they say? Politics does not oblige its players to adhere to the truth. But two things are a big no-no and better avoided. The first is trying to meet multiple objectives with one instrument or decision and the second is Tom Sawyer-ing. Mark Twain’s character had a knack of getting other people to see...

-The Indian Express PM wary of open-ended provisions: Fund for MSME with guarantee likely. AS the Covid pandemic and the prolonged lockdown batter all sectors of the economy, the government, sources said, is working on a rescue package that, for now, may address the needs of the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) segment rather than the larger corporate sector. More than six meetings have been held at the Prime Minister’s Office —...

-The Hindu An opening up has to be accompanied by an increase in relief budget for the most vulnerable After a 39-day lockdown, what will be the shape of things to come? How should one strike a balance between ensuring livelihoods, minimising strife, and maintaining social distancing? In a discussion moderated by G. Ananthakrishnan, Reetika Khera, and Giridhar R. Babu examine the options. Edited excerpts: * With less than a fortnight left for...

-The Hindu It is only part of mismanagement of financial institutions under BJP government watch, says ex-Finance Minister The government and the RBI didn’t bother to read the balance sheet of the Yes Bank, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said pointing out to the unusual growth in the loan book at the rate of 35% a year between March 2014 to March 2019. The loan book registered registered a spike especially in 2016-17...