Ranjan
Ranjan Srivastava leads HT’s coverage from Bhopal. He has spent more than two decades in journalism in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, covering political and other affairs. For the past 16 years, he has been working in Madhya Pradesh.
Articles by Ranjan
Second wave of Covid-19 slows services PMI in March
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON APR 08, 2021 07:48 AM IST
Data analytics firm IHS Markit on Wednesday said India’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for services fell to 54.6 in March from 55.3 in February, registering a slower but still marked pace of expansion.
Amid rising Covid cases, IMF raises India outlook
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON APR 07, 2021 08:57 AM IST
Briefing reporters while releasing the IMF’s biannual World Economic Outlook, chief economist Gita Gopinath said the one percentage point increase in India’s growth forecast for FY22 came in the background of encouraging signs from high-frequency indicators.
India equipped to tackle risk posed by fresh Covid-19 wave: Sitharaman
Livemint | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON APR 06, 2021 07:12 AM IST
- India registered more than a lakh coronavirus cases on Sunday, surpassing even the peak of the first wave of the pandemic, with almost 50% of the cases being reported from Maharashtra.
Factory activity falls to 7-month low in March
Livemint | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON APR 06, 2021 03:08 AM IST
- IHS Markit said anecdotal evidence suggested that the upturn was stymied by elevated cost pressures.
Centre sticks with inflation goal for 5 yrs
Livemint | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON APR 01, 2021 07:17 AM IST
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das had defended the existing inflation target, contending that any further loosening would undermine the central bank’s ability to set effective monetary policy.
Core sector contracts at sharpest pace in six months
Livemint | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON APR 01, 2021 06:56 AM IST
Data released by the industry department showed core sector shrank 4.6% in February underlining the uncertain path to recovery in Asia’s third largest economy amid a second wave of coronavirus infection.
Due to its 2012 blunder, India’s Cairn challenge at The Hague is likely to fail
By Prabhash Ranjan
PUBLISHED ON MAR 30, 2021 07:14 PM IST
To put an end to this dispute, India should comply with the ISDS ruling and undo the horrendous error made in 2012 by making the amendment in the Income Tax Act prospective in nature.
Railway employee, 3 others killed; LJP leader shot at in Bihar
By Avinash Kumar and Prashant Ranjan
PUBLISHED ON MAR 26, 2021 01:27 AM IST
Former state general secretary of LJP’s youth wing, Premchand Yadav (40), was attacked while returning home around 1am after attending a function at Kitapur village. The attack triggered violent protests by his associates in Bhojpur district.
Lok Sabha clears Finance Bill with 127 amendments
By Asit Ranjan Mishra, Gireesh Chandra Prasad
PUBLISHED ON MAR 24, 2021 05:29 AM IST
The amendment means offshore e-commerce platforms don’t have to pay 2% equalization levy, or digital service tax on that portion of goods which are sourced from India.
Trade gap widens to $12.6 billion on lacklustre exports
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON MAR 16, 2021 05:23 AM IST
- Between April last year and February 2021, merchandise exports have contracted 12.23%, while merchandise imports fell 23.1%.
China rakes up India’s ban on apps, FDI curbs at WTO
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON MAR 09, 2021 05:57 AM IST
- China said it acknowledges India’s efforts to enhance competitiveness in manufacturing and services sectors through ‘Make In India’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives but remains concerned that some of the measures are not consistent with WTO principles.
Govt plans to scrap 6,000 compliances
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON MAR 06, 2021 02:04 AM IST
- Mohapatra said the idea came during Modi’s meeting with Marriott International president and chief executive Arne Sorenson, who complained about the complex regulations in starting and running a hotel in India.
Services expand at fastest rate in a year in Feb
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON MAR 04, 2021 12:10 AM IST
- In comparison, PMI for the manufacturing sector had fallen marginally to 57.5 in February from 57.7 a month ago, data released on Monday showed.
Manufacturing activity remained strong in February
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON MAR 02, 2021 06:57 AM IST
Data released by analytics firm IHS Markit on Monday showed Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the manufacturing sector fell marginally to 57.5 in February from 57.7 in January.
GDP to shrink 7% this fiscal, see 13.7% growth in FY 22, says Moody’s
By Asit Ranjan Mishra, Gopika Gopakumar
PUBLISHED ON FEB 26, 2021 08:19 AM IST
The rating agency also said India’s weak fiscal position will remain a key credit challenge in 2021 with a debt-to-GDP ratio above its peers. India has the lowest investment grade of Baa3 with negative outlook from Moody’s.
Govt has no business to be in business: PM Modi
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON FEB 25, 2021 06:07 AM IST
Modi said it is not necessary or possible for the government to remain the owner of so many central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) and the government should rather focus on public welfare and development. “That’s why I say government has no business to remain in business,” he added.
Fitch Ratings cautions on India’s rising debt
Livemint | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON FEB 11, 2021 06:58 AM IST
- India entered the pandemic with little fiscal headroom from a rating perspective, the agency noted
UK's trade ties with India a priority, says Elizabeth Truss
By Asit Ranjan Mishra, Elizabeth Roche
PUBLISHED ON FEB 08, 2021 07:11 AM IST
- On tax problems faced by Cairn Energy and Vodafone, Truss said she hoped that arbitral awards by international dispute settlement mechanisms will draw a line under them.
Centre to roll out PLI scheme for ACs, LEDs
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON FEB 06, 2021 12:58 AM IST
Mohapatra said the PLI scheme will be a game changer in the country, where the focus is not only on manufacturing locally but also for the world.
Fiscal policy won’t be tied to debt-GDP ratio for now
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON FEB 05, 2021 12:49 AM IST
The 15th Finance Commission (FFC), which was chaired by N.K. Singh, has recommended bringing the public debt to GDP ratio down from 89.8% of GDP in FY21 to 85.7% of GDP in FY26.
Exports rise 5.37% in January
Livemint | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON FEB 03, 2021 07:44 AM IST
Imports expanded 2.05% last month while exports grew 5.37%, leaving a trade deficit of $14.75 billion, according to preliminary data released by the commerce ministry. Non-petroleum and non-jewellery imports grew 5.94%.
15th finance commission recommendations: Centrally funded plans face the axe
Livemint | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON FEB 03, 2021 07:36 AM IST
Schemes that have outlived their relevance will be terminated, says expenditure secretary T V Somanathan.
_1611705932244_1611705948142.JPG "The FY21 upgrade for India is because mobility came back much faster than expected. (HT Archive)")
India’s economy to shrink by 8% in FY’21, says IMF
By Asit Ranjan Mishra
PUBLISHED ON JAN 27, 2021 05:37 AM IST
- India’s September quarter GDP estimate, at -7.5% after -23.9% in the June quarter, positively surprised analysts.
Student files PIL against Madhya Pradesh’s anti-conversion ordinance
By Ranjan
PUBLISHED ON JAN 15, 2021 10:56 AM IST
Amratansh Nema has said that “the ordinance has been promulgated in utmost haste and autocratic manner without a proper consultative process”
BJP’s Madhya Pradesh chief names his team
By Ranjan
PUBLISHED ON JAN 14, 2021 01:01 PM IST
VD Sharma’s team has 12 vice-presidents and 12 secretaries. The MP from Khajuraho had earlier nominated five general sectaries in September
In a first, compensatory afforestation of projects in Andaman to be done in MP
Hindustan Times, Bhopal | By Ranjan
UPDATED ON JAN 08, 2021 04:31 PM IST
The implementation of development projects in Andaman and Nicobar was being hindered by the non-availability of land for afforestation as 92% of its area is already covered in forests
MP guv clears ‘love jihad’ ordinance
Hindustan Times, Bhopal | By Ranjan
UPDATED ON JAN 08, 2021 12:07 AM IST
One of the ordinances prescribes punishment of those guilty of adulteration of food and drugs with up to a life term in prison.
Madhya Pradesh governor approves ordinance to regulate inter-faith marriages
Hindustan Times, Bhopal | By Ranjan
UPDATED ON JAN 07, 2021 03:08 PM IST
According to the ordinance, reconversion to embrace one’s “ancestral religion” will not be considered a crime
India’s retrospective taxation blunder is still extracting heavy costs
By Prabhash Ranjan
UPDATED ON JAN 07, 2021 07:20 AM IST
In endeavouring to extract revenue through retroactive taxation that damages investor sentiment in the long run, India is being penny-wise and pound-foolish
Core sectors see sharper contraction in November
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Asit Ranjan Mishra
UPDATED ON JAN 01, 2021 06:30 AM IST
The core sector, which constitutes 40% of the index of industrial production (IIP), showed signs of recovery in September with only a 0.1% contraction after shrinking 6.9% in the preceding month.