Category: fiscal policy
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India’s GST Puzzle: Why the 18% Slab Was Left Untouched
In a bold fiscal move, the Government of India is reshaping the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure—reducing the 28% slab to 18% on some goods and services, and cutting the 12% slab to 5% for several essential commodities. While these measures aim to stimulate consumption and simplify compliance, one…
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Outlook for the Trucking and Logistics Industry
In an increasingly volatile global trade environment, businesses across sectors are revisiting their strategic playbooks to stay resilient amid tariff threats and policy reversals. A pertinent question emerging from this scenario is: how should industries, particularly logistics and commercial trucking, react to tariff-driven cost pressures? Is it through aggressive cost-cutting,…
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Rising Debt Levels: A Looming Crisis for Developing Nations
The global economy continues to recover unevenly from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, but one concern that remains deeply entrenched is the rapidly rising debt levels across the developing world. For many Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), debt servicing obligations have become a significant…
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Post-Election U.S. Equity Market Surge: The Reality of Tariff-Driven Uncertainty
Following the U.S. election in November, financial markets experienced an initial surge, driven by investor optimism surrounding potential tax cuts and deregulation. These policies were expected to stimulate economic growth and drive corporate profits higher. However, the post-election economic narrative has shifted, focusing less on tax incentives and more on…
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GenAI in Revenue Administration
The integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into revenue administration presents a transformative opportunity. It has the potential to automate routine tasks, provide clearer tax guidance, and enhance transparency in policymaking. However, the effectiveness of AI-driven systems in taxation depends on the quality of training data, human oversight, and a robust…
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The Taxation Dilemma: Balancing Revenue Without Driving Away Wealth
Taxation has always been a contentious issue in economic policy. Governments worldwide strive to strike a delicate balance between generating sufficient revenue for public welfare and maintaining an investment-friendly environment. However, a common phenomenon observed in both developed and developing economies is the migration of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and businesses…
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Structural Reforms and Technological Disruptions
In an increasingly uncertain global economic landscape, resilience has become a critical component of macroeconomic stability. Resilience operates at three key levels: the use of force (geopolitical and security resilience), future readiness (economic adaptability and technological innovation), and resilience as a skill (institutional and workforce adaptability). The world today faces…
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Budget Priorities, Human Capital, and Global Trade Wars: Where Should India Focus?
A Budget for the Future: Vision Beyond Infrastructure India’s budget is more than just a financial statement—it serves as a blueprint for the country’s economic vision. While infrastructure spending remains a key component, the real question is whether it alone can drive sustainable economic growth. The answer is clear: infrastructure…
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GST Rates and Economic Predictability: A Call for Stability
The Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced as a landmark reform in India’s taxation system, aimed to simplify indirect taxes and create a unified market. While the framework is undoubtedly a significant improvement over the earlier regime, constant changes in GST rates have emerged as a pressing issue. These frequent…
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