Some economics related links and budget 2008

I found them useful for increasing my awareness in areas of Indian Economy and Finance.

Indian economy is one place where you can get the perspective of young aspiring economists and entrepreneurs to Indian Economy.

Swaminomics if you remember is a column which appears in Sunday Times. The author Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar also writes in Economic Times and this place contains a few of his published articles in print media. Interesting insight - deep and different.

India Uncut for anything India.

BRIC and Beyond - This is the place to find the economic analysis of Brazil, Russia, India and China done by Goldman Sachs. This might help you if you are into some quantitative research on these economies.

So enjoy reading.

By the way, Budget 2008 is already in. Although it comes with an election year populist taste, it also comes with a little challenge on part of govt. It is yet to be seen how the government is going to compensate the banks for the 60,000 crores farm waiver. Its definitely a great move by the govt., but what about the farmers who have taken loan from the money lenders to repay banks for the loans? And what is the percentage of farmers who owe money to banks and how much is it compared to those who have taken from local money lenders? And where is the thrust on the farm infrastructure development? Cut on excise duty is a feel good factor and so is cut in cenvat. But will it reach the consumers and will it really ease the inflationary pressure? These are a few questions which need to be addressed. Taxes on short term capital gains will stabilize the market in the short term. The thrust on Health Care by offering tax holiday to new hospitals in lower tier cities and increased allocation in education sector is a very welcome and long awaited move by the finance minister. But the most talked thing in this budget is the change in income the tax slab. By putting more money in the pockets of middle class, consumption will get a thrust and it will in turn affect various sectors positively. Overall a good budget!

That is all for now.