The merits of fiscal prudence

By sticking to the fiscal consolidation roadmap, the Union budget has obviated instability. The focus should now be on state capitals, whose budgets need greater market scrutinyWritten by Neelkanth Mishra | Updated: March 2, 2016 12:28:13 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) Some are calling this a political budget. But that’s like … Read more

At stake, in Bihar

The election results in the state will impact the Indian economy’s prospects.Written by Neelkanth Mishra | Updated: November 2, 2015 12:59:28 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) Should the ongoing Bihar elections matter to stockmarkets? A first glance at the facts suggests they shouldn’t. Bihar contributes just 3 per cent to India’s … Read more

The big bond reform

RBI raising limits for foreign investors holding government bonds is more significant than the rate cut.Written by Neelkanth Mishra | Updated: October 2, 2015 12:25:15 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) So finally it’s done: the RBI cut rates. With inflation steadily printing lower, taking real interest rates to near record highs, … Read more

Fiscal credibility deficit

Centre’s untidy money management creates unnecessary economic volatility and impedes investmentWritten by Neelkanth Mishra | Updated: July 13, 2015 2:41:54 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) Before our ancestors figured out why solar eclipses happened, their “explanation” was mostly some evil creature swallowing the sun: the rakshasa Rahu in Hindu mythology, dragons … Read more

In country-sized states

State governments cannot make cities livable. They must give urban areas freedom to manage themselves.Written by Neelkanth Mishra | Updated: May 16, 2015 12:08:55 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) Exasperated with explaining the size of India to people, I now carry a map in which the country that comes closest to … Read more

States in charge

The changing electorate and competitive federalism will be checks on their profligacy.Written by Neelkanth Mishra | March 5, 2015 12:13:23 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) Have the states “grown up”? That’s the question to ask once the (well-justified) celebrations of “cooperative federalism” triggered by the government’s acceptance of the 14th Finance … Read more

Shifting to the state

A structural change is afoot. It holds great promise for India.Written by Neelkanth Mishra | Updated: November 24, 2014 12:05:27 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) Is A 1,000-employee single-city company managed the same way as a 1,00,000-employee transnational company? I recently asked this rhetorical question when an experienced foreign investor asked … Read more

Just a Union budget

It carries little that is surprising. State budgets matter much more.Written by Neelkanth Mishra | July 12, 2014 3:05:11 am (This was published in the Indian Express: link) Deep within us rests the desire for quick fixes, of happy endings. Simple narratives are, after all, less taxing on the mind and therefore more attractive. Nothing … Read more