Frontline Wrapped: Top Ten Defining Economics Narratives of 2024
As the year comes to a close, Frontline has curated a list of our ten best economics stories of the year. | Photo Credit: By Special Arrangement India saw a flurry of economic activity in 2024, with major events unfolding throughout the year. From the Election Commission of India’s publication
France in Turmoil: Prime Minister Michel Barnier Ousted in No-Confidence Motion Amidst Economic Crisis
When Prime Minister Michel Barnier unveiled his deficit-reduction plan in October, promising to bring down the public deficit from around 6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) to 3 per cent in 2029, it was seen as an attempt to steer the French economy into calmer waters. But on
Adani Group Faces Global Scrutiny While SEBI Stands Silent: What’s at Stake?
In a proverbial “when it rains, it pours” moment, the Adani Group is having a rather disastrous close to the year. French oil major TotalEnergies won’t make any more investments in the Adani Group, saying it was not informed of the US bribery charges against Gautam Adani. Kenya has canceled
Bihar Alcohol Ban 2016-2024: Impact, Failures, and Political Future
When Chief Minister Nitish Kumar banned the sale of alcohol in Bihar in 2016, it sparked mixed reactions. Recently, the Patna High Court castigated State government officials, suggesting that they were making money from the rampant illicit liquor trade enabled by them. The High Court made strong remarks while overturning
India’s Elderly Care Crisis: Healthcare Costs, Digital Divide, and Policy Gaps Affect 153M Senior Citizens
“I still use checkbooks at the bank and don’t own credit cards, debit cards, or any net banking app,” says R. Sampathkumar, an octogenarian from Chennai. A retired deputy manager from Indian Oil Corporation, he is recovering from knee surgery performed seven months ago. He lives with his wife in
Deep-Sea Fishermen of Kerala and Tamil Nadu: Life, Risk and Survival in the Arabian Sea
The fishermen who go for deep-sea fishing are the most valiant among the marine fishing communities inhabiting the coasts of Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram. Their predecessors used to set sail in all seasons on the Arabian Sea even before the arrival of GPS and wireless communication. | Photo Credit: Joseph Rahul
Punjab Paddy Crisis 2024: Worst Procurement Delays in 25 Years Hit Farmers
Gal lag ke seeri de jat rove, Bohlan bichon neer vagya, Le aa tangli, naseeban nu faroliye, Tudi vichon putt Jagya. (A farmer embraces a peasant, and cries, As sorrow flows through the grains. ‘Bring a rake, let’s sift through our fortune, In this heap of chaff, O son Jagya.’)
Bibek Debroy (1955-2024): The Scholar Who Shaped India’s Economic Transition
Bibek Debroy—”Bibekda,” “Bibek sir,” and simply “Bibek” to his close friends and colleagues—who passed away on November 1, 2024, was a policy advisor of a different breed. He straddled the complexities of economic policymaking with ease. His breadth of understanding of issues, diverse interests, ability to communicate intricate policy matters
Global Hunger Index: India’s Improved Ranking in 2024 Should Not Overlook the Lack of Critical Data on Nutrition
One of the biggest ironies of present times is that a substantial number of people still go hungry, without the required calorie and nutrient intake, often because of income disparities and circumstances that are beyond their control. In an era when most nations have achieved food sufficiency barring those that
Modi government shuns populist Budget as focus stays on infrastructure
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during a news conference in New Delhi on February 1. In her last Budget speech before the general election, Sitharaman said that the Central government will increase infrastructure spending by 11 per cent in the coming financial year and curb its fiscal deficit. | Photo Credit: