In this issue

There is a grave danger if there’s over regulation—it results in a strangulating bureaucracy. But there are pitfalls of under regulation— it makes those who should be more on their toes to relax and become complacent. In the first, it’s the businesses that suffer; in the latter, it’s the retail investors and poor customers who bear the burden. This is why as India tries to ease the way to do business, she should ensure that the watchdogs are on guard, and don’t abdicate their responsibilities. A classic case where the regulators seem to have gone to sleep is the rich-to-richer story of Avenue Supermarts and its promoter, Radhakishan Damani. Although, the company is performing well, and its stock is flying, there are danger signals that should interest the regulators and watchdogs. At the moment, they seem to be sleeping, and seem unaware of what’s happening.
Alam Srinivas reports

Richest Indian On Shaky Ground

There is a grave danger if there’s overregulation—it results in a strangulating bureaucracy. But there are pitfalls of underregulation—it makes those who should be more on their toes to relax and become complacent. In the first, it’s the businesses that suffer; in the latter, it’s the retail investors and poor customers who bear the burden. This is why as India tries to ease the way to do business, she should ensure that the watchdogs are on guard, and don’t abdicate their responsibilities. A classic case where the regulators seem to have gone to sleep is the rich-to-richer story of Avenue Supermarts and its promoter, Radhakishan Damani. Although, the company is performing well, and its stock is flying, there are danger signals that should interest the regulators and watchdogs. At the moment, they seem to be sleeping, and seem unaware of what’s happening. Alam Srinivas reports.

8 mins

Merger Of Oil Companies Caught On The Wrong Foot

Investments depend on risk-taking abilities, especially for spending money on overseas ventures, and autonomy. The State-owned oil companies possess neither. Vertically-integrated oil majors make sense if these too are handed over to the managements.

8 mins

Niti Ayog Where Is The Transformation?

NITI Ayog has lost track of its mandate and is wandering in the wilderness. Global summits and taking agenda briefs from multinationals cannot deliver this transformation.

6 mins

What Are We Testing?

Prelim exams for IAS and other civil services need not get reduced to examining the warehousing capacities of examinees.

4 mins

Demonetisation Hits Human Trafficking

Demonetisation scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2016 was aimed, among other things, to hit out at black money, parallel economy and criminal activities. As we cross the six-month threshold, Abhishek Narain analyses whether the decision has impacted the human trafficking industry which thrives on black money and is this move enough to have a long-term impact on the inhuman trafficking activities.

4 mins

Paresh Baruah Rings Alarm Bells

With the demise of SS Khaplang, the legendary Naga rebel who abrogated truce with India in 2015, Indian security agencies have reasons to be worried. Now it will be Paresh Baruah, the reckless ULFA (Independent) boss who will call shots in the entire North-East where militants of different ethnicities have come together to wage guerrilla warfare.

7 mins

Turnaround Man

The man behind the world famous Khajuraho dance festival, PC Sen was also responsible in increasing MP Tourism’s budget and bringing Air India staff’s emoluments at par with the private sector.

5 mins

Business Of Freedom

While revenues are increasing, earnings are being squeezed by rising fuel, labour and maintenance expenses. Finding alternative means to keep flying secure without the inconvenience of the current laptop ban, combating human trafficking, implementing the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and modernising air cargo processes were some of the serious issues on which 73rd IATA AGM deliberated at Cancun (Mexico) in the first week of June 2017. Anil Tyagi, Editor, and Anish Gandhi, Consultant Foreign Affairs, of gfiles flew to Cancun to understand the frank and daring deliberations of International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 73rd AGM.

4 mins

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