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27 जुलाई Editorial
27 जुलाई Editorial
Editorial Delhi
B
oth the Opposition led by the Congress further and relative to GDP, the fiscal deficit in emerging priorities to make the green transition. imperative. Fortunately, after six years, Goods
and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is a former Member of
202021 increased to 13.3% and the aggregate the Fourteenth The issue is of concern in Punjab, Kerala, and Services Tax (GST) has stabilised and has
(BJP) say they want a parliamentary de public debt to 89.6%. As the economy recovered Rajasthan, and West Bengal. In Punjab, the Debt shown high growth potential. As the technology
Finance Commission.
bate on Manipur, but they are unable to agree on after the pandemic, the deficit and debt ratios He is currently Chief to GSDP ratio is 48.9%, in West Bengal, 37.6%, platform has stabilised, it is expected to maintain
a mechanism to do it. The abhorrent violence, in have receded to 8.9% and 85.7%, respectively. Economic Adviser, Rajasthan 35.4%, and in Kerala close to 33%. high buoyancy in the medium term. The
cluding repeated incidents of sexual violence The projections show that even without any Brickwork Ratings Second, high levels of debt make it difficult to technology has helped to improve tax
against tribal women in the State, should have serious disruptions to the economy, the debt level calibrate countercyclical fiscal policy and administration and improved compliance. With
brought the government and the Opposition to is unlikely to return to the prepandemic constrain the ability of the government to the crossmatching of GST returns with
gether; instead, they are unable to even debate trajectory in the medium term. With elections to respond to shocks. incometax returns, incometax compliance too is
the issue. The Opposition has insisted that any a number of States scheduled in 2023 and with Third, the debt market in India is largely expected to improve. In the medium term, the
discussion must begin with a statement by Prime the general election for 2024, the electoral budget captive with mainly the commercial banks and aggregate taxGDP ratio is likely to increase by 1.5
Minister Narendra Modi, who would not commit cycle could push the debt ratio further. And, insurance companies participating in it to meet percentage to 2 percentage points.
to that. Home Minister Amit Shah said the go there can be serious questions about its SLR requirements. With a cash reserve ratio In terms of policy interventions, this is the
vernment was willing to discuss the issue and sustainability unless targeted interventions are (CRR) of 4.5% and SLR of 18% of net demand and time to rethink the role of the state and vacate
sought the cooperation of the Opposition, which made to reduce the debt burden, which may not time liabilities, and 40% of the credit by the activities that should really belong to the market
saw the outreach as an attempt to shield Mr. Mo be politically easy with elections on the horizon. commercial banks earmarked for the priority rather than competing with it. At the central
di. The Opposition has now moved a noconfi sector, the resources available for lending to the level, even after much talk about disinvestment,
dence motion against the government as a way of Financial repression manufacturing sector gets squeezed, driving up progress has been slow. Rather than dispensing
forcing Mr. Modi to speak on the issue. Consider The debtdynamics equation states that when the cost of borrowing of the sector. Furthermore, with activities such as telecom to the private
ing how he has responded until now, that might there is no primary deficit (fiscal deficit in the the rating agencies keep the sovereign rating low sector, the government continues to pour money
be a bit too optimistic. The discussion on the no year excluding the past legacy of interest when deficits and debt are higher, and this into Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. Equally
confidence motion in the Lok Sabha is likely to be payments), if the growth rate of GDP exceeds the increases the cost of external commercial disturbing are the employment melas to fill
a continuation of the obfuscation of the issue by effective interest rate paid on government bonds, borrowing. Finally, ‘today’s borrowing is taxing socalled vacant posts which have been found to
the BJP and the persistent demand by the Opposi the overall debt will decline. However, what is tomorrow’ and the burden of large deficits and be redundant. At the State level, it is important to
tion. Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposi missed in these discussions are the distortions debt will have to be borne by the next generation. guard against the return to the old pension
tion continues to demand a discussion followed caused by financial repression to keep the scheme and indulge in largescale giveaways for
by a statement by the Prime Minister. interest rates on government borrowing low to On the debt burden electoral reasons. Of course, redistribution is a
The demand for a comprehensive statement reduce the cost. The statutory liquidity ratio It is clear that in the present fiscal environment, legitimate government activity, and that is best
by the Prime Minister is legitimate, but the Oppo (SLR) stipulated by the Reserve Bank of India even achieving a consolidated debttoGDP ratio done through cash transfers rather than
sition must understand that it serves no purpose (RBI) requires the banking system to hold 18% of of 58.2 recommended by the 14th Finance subsidising commodities and services. Giving
if the outcome is no discussion. It must seize wha their demand and time liabilities in government Commission for 201920 would be unfeasible in subsidies alters relative prices, resulting in
tever opportunity it gets for a discussion in Parlia securities. Besides, the RBI intervenes in the ‘Today’s the medium term. The Finance Commission had unintended resource distortions. Equally
ment, and take the protest to public places out market through open market operations around borrowing is recommended that the Union government bring important is the need to impose hard budget
side. The BJP’s response to the horror in Manipur the time when government borrowing is taken up taxing down its deficit relative to GDP from 43.6% in constraints by enforcing Fiscal Responsibility and
has been to equate it with crimes in Congress to keep the interest rates on government 201516 to 36.3%, and the States maintain their Budget Management rules in allowing States to
tomorrow’ and
ruled States, which is difficult to sustain. For mo borrowing repressed. When the interest rate on deficit at about 22%. Even before the pandemic, borrow. Macroeconomic stabilisation is
ral and strategic reasons, the turmoil in Manipur the burden of
government debt is lower than the growth of the aggregate public debt had slipped to 74.3% in predominantly a Union government
is a threat to the country’s security, integrity, and large deficits
GDP, the debt may decline but the financial 201920, and the pandemic pushed it to 89.7% in responsibility. Therefore, the Union government
social harmony; it is a threat that calls for nation market gets distorted. and debt will 202021. With the nominal GDP recovering to should follow the rules it makes, and enforce the
al unity. It is a sad moment in Indian democracy Thus, even when the sustainability of debt may have to be grow at 18.5% in 202122 after the pandemic, the rules on the States effectively.
that its politics remains partisan even in the face not be threatened in the medium term, the costs borne by the debt ratio declined only marginally to 85.7%. This
of such human suffering, ethnic violence and the of carrying high deficits and debt to the economy next generation implies that every individual in the country bears The views expressed are personal
breakdown of law and order in a sensitive border
State. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has
written to Mr. Shah saying that the government
cannot be seeking the Opposition’s cooperation
while the Prime Minister is likening it to extremist
outfits. Labelling critics as antinational or unpa
triotic may be politically convenient, but this
The SCO is a success story that can get better
predictable response in the BJP toolkit is turning
out to be an impediment to national unity. It is
O
n July 4, 2023, India successfully hosted and challenges. Going forward in a new era, the The SCO’s success story is part of the broader
time Mr. Modi called for healing in Manipur, reas the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads SCO memberstates should strengthen strategic global partnership of emerging economies and
sured the scared victims of the State and set an of State of the Shanghai Cooperation communication, deepen practical cooperation, developing countries. As changes to the global
example by holding the perpetrators accounta Organization (SCO). The world witnessed another and support each other’s development and landscape unfold, emerging economies and
ble. And there is no better place than Parliament “SCO moment”. Leaders of the SCO rejuvenation. As we build a better homeland developing countries continue their collective
to make it all clear to the country and the world. memberstates signed the New Delhi Declaration, together, more certainty and positive energy will rise with greater cohesion and global weight. We
and issued the statements on countering Ma Jia be brought to the world. are increasingly acting as a progressive force for
radicalisation and exploring cooperation in digital is Chargé d’Affaires We should enhance solidarity and mutual trust world fairness and justice. Over the next two
Resilient, but just transformation. The summit granted Iran full SCO
membership, signed the memorandum of
a.i. of the Embassy of
China in India
for common security. There are some external
elements that are orchestrating a new Cold War
months, South Africa and India will preside over
the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Lopsided growth, that bypasses poor obligations of Belarus to join the SCO as a and bloc confrontation in our region. These Africa) and G20 summits, respectively. These will
memberstate, and adopted the SCO’s economic developments must be addressed with high be significant moments to shape a multipolar
nations, risks affecting global economy development strategy for the period until 2030. vigilance and firm rejection. SCO memberstates world order, promote inclusive global
These significant outcomes have demonstrated need to upgrade security cooperation, and crack development, and improve international
T
he International Monetary Fund’s latest
update to its world economic outlook po the vitality of the “SCO family”. down in a decisive manner on terrorism, governance architecture.
sits a global economy showing signs of separatism and extremism, and transnational
having weathered its most recent challenges, in A changing world organised crimes. We need to pursue cooperation China’s commitment
cluding the bank collapses in the U.S. and Swit Our world, our times and history are changing in in digital, biological and outer space security, and China is committed to working with India, South
zerland, and likely poised to expand by 3% in ways like never before. The world is grappling facilitate political settlement when it comes to Africa and other partners from the South to put
2023. But the Fund’s marginal 20 basis points up with geopolitical tensions, an economic international and regional hotspot issues. into action the Global Security Initiative, Global
grade to its April projections, which were re slowdown, energy crises, food shortage and We should embrace winwin cooperation to Development Initiative and Global Civilization
leased in the wake of the banking failures, and climate change. These challenges require the chart a path to shared prosperity. Protectionism, Initiative, to contribute to world peace, security
concerns at the time about the then yettobere joint response of all countries. The major risks to unilateral sanctions and decoupling undermine and prosperity. We need to pursue common,
solved U.S. debt ceiling standoff, does little to world peace and development are power politics, people’s wellbeing all over the world. It is comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable
provide reassurance that the world economy is economic coercion, technology decoupling and imperative for the SCO to generate stronger security, respect each country’s independent
out of the woods. As the IMF’s chief economist ideological contest. The central questions revolve momentum for collaboration in trade, choice of the path to development and social
PierreOlivier Gourinchas cautioned on Tuesday, around unity or split; peace or conflict; investment, technology, climate actions, system, and abide by the purpose and principles
“many challenges still cloud the horizon... while cooperation or confrontation. The international infrastructure and peopletopeople engagement. of the UN Charter. The reasonable security
some adverse risks have moderated, the balance community must answer them. To contribute to highquality and resilient interests of all countries deserve consideration.
remains tilted to the downside”. That risks Over the years, the SCO has been committed to economic growth of the region, there need to be Dialogue and diplomacy offer the best hope to
abound, both known and unsighted, would be an becoming a community with a shared future for collective efforts to scale up local currency address international disputes by peaceful
understatement. For starters, the two largest eco mankind, firmly supporting each other in settlement between SCO members, expand means. And, security challenges in conventional
nomies, the United States and China, have upholding their core interests, and synergising Shanghai cooperation on sovereign digital currency, and and nonconventional domains should be dealt
slowed down appreciably and face increased un their national development strategies and promote the establishment of an SCO with in a holistic manner.
Cooperation
certainty amid global and domestic headwinds. regional cooperation initiatives. Memberstates development bank. We need to forge a united, equal, balanced and
have carried forward the spirit of good Organization inclusive global development partnership,
In the U.S., the surpluses from pandemicera
cash transfers, made to help families tide over neighbourliness and friendship, and built memberstates Need for multilateralism promote humanity’s common values of peace,
the distress wrought by COVID19 and the costof partnerships featuring dialogue instead of should We should advocate multilateralism to shape our development, equity, justice, democracy and
living crisis in its aftermath, have all but depleted. confrontation, and cooperation instead of strengthen common destiny. The SCO needs more freedom, and get global governance to evolve in a
China’s postreopening rebound has begun to fiz alliance. The SCO has been a guardian of and strategic engagements with its observer states, dialogue fairer and more reasonable direction. Our voice
zle out, with the economy floundering on the contributor to regional peace, stability and communication, partners and other regional and international should be loud and clear against hegemony,
shoals of a contraction in the key real estate sec prosperity. These achievements manifest the organisations such as the United Nations, to unilateralism, a Cold War mentality and bloc
deepen practical
tor, combined with weakening consumption and common aspirations of all countries so that there uphold the UNcentered international system and confrontation. And, illegal unilateral sanctions
is peace, development and winwin cooperation. cooperation, the international order based on international and longarm jurisdiction measures must be
slumping overseas demand for its exports.
The euro area, another key engine of the glo The SCO’s leading and exemplary role can help and support law. Together, we are united in promoting world rejected. In doing so, we will lead by example in
bal economy, is still reeling from the Ukrainewar strengthen unity and cooperation, seize each other’s peace, driving global development and safeguarding the development rights and
induced spike in gas prices with momentum de development opportunities, and address risks development safeguarding the international order. legitimate interests of the developing world.
celerating especially in the largest regional eco
nomies of Germany and France. Eurozone busi
ness output fell at the fastest rate for eight LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
months in July, S&P Global’s latest HCOB flash
PMI survey showed this week. Worse, deteriorat Bali meeting permanent news headline, Gig workers as opposed to permanent compliment for directing brought to the notice of the
ing forwardlooking indicators flag the likelihood If the meeting in Bali last “Sri Lankan Navy arrests The approach of the writers workers, fearing legal that status quo be court that no exception
of the region’s downturn deepening in coming year between the leaders of Indian fishers, seizes boats”, in the article, “Drawn from consequences. If gig maintained. Many years could be taken to installing
months. And with inflation, particularly core in India and China included with the number of fishers gig workers’ struggles, hewn workers protest, substitutes ago, the then Chief Justice such portraits. A
flation, remaining well above central banks’ tar “substantial conversation”, and boats changed in Rajasthan” (Editorial are available almost of the Madras High Court Government of India
gets, policymakers may be left with little option as suggested by the Indian according to the day. Why page, July 26), was immediately. asked some lawyers for circular dated September 8,
but to stay the course on inflationtaming but de and Chinese sides now did India not take up the onesided. Though the V. Lakshmanan, their opinion on the 2006 was also cited in
mandretarding monetary tightening. Russia’s (Page 1, July 26), it is not issue with the Sri Lankan nature of gig workers’ jobs Tirupur, Tamil Nadu unveiling of the statue of support of this. Therefore,
termination of the Black Sea grain deal could also clear how and why the President during his visit to is unregulated and needs to Ambedkar, the architect of putting up the portrait of
push up grain prices by as much as 15%, Mr. Gou details of that allimportant New Delhi? If fishermen be addressed, it may not be Portrait of B.R. Ambedkar the Constitution, on the Ambedkar should be
rinchas warned, affecting some lowincome eco conversation were kept from Tamil Nadu are ‘really’ right to squarely blame It is not clear why an issue High Court premises. It was treated as a closed issue.
nomies in Africa. The IMF economist also point under wraps so far. With crossing the International employers. With the is being made by the put to him that the N.G.R. Prasad,
ed to the heightened debt vulnerabilities among conflicting versions about Maritime Boundary Line increase in population, job Madras High Court that the unveiling of the statue was Chennai
many frontier economies and stressed the urgent the topics of discussion and entering the waters of opportunities are shrinking statue of B.R. Ambedkar long overdue. In fact, in a
need for a concerted global debt resolution initia emerging, what really Sri Lanka, can they not be and the day is not far off should be removed and case where disciplinary
tive to help highly indebted countries from slid happened is ambiguous. warned or assisted with the when unemployment may only the portraits of action was taken against an
ing into debt distress. Ultimately, the world’s eco A. Venkatasubramanian, help of technology? The change the contours of Mahatma Gandhi and employee of the State Bank
nomic leaders must realise that lopsided growth, Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu Indian Institutes of society itself. It is only Thiruvalluvar be displayed of India for unveiling B.R. Letters emailed to
that bypasses the vulnerable nations, risks having Technology can be roped in. natural that no employer in courts in Tamil Nadu. The Ambedkar’s portrait within letters@thehindu.
the weakest links weighing down the larger glo Fisher arrests A. Jainulabdeen, will be prepared to provide Chief Justice of the Madras the bank premises, in the co.in must carry the full postal
bal economic edifice in an interconnected world. The media can have the Chennai all securities to gig workers, High Court deserves a course of arguments, it was address.
CM M ND-NDE
YK