The Smart Buyer

Rajesh Shukla October 25, 2024

A ride along Delhi Metro�s tony neighbourhoods can be intuitively reflective. Zoomers in branded tees and hemp pants carry recyclable bags with bold messages while millennials pore over mobile content flitting through OTT feeds, reels, social media and the occasional news flash. A couple of Gen X�ers occupy one corner and are obviously less flashy, notwithstanding their smart watches and high-end shoes. Boomers are spread out in the coach, and one among them watches the action unfold with a casual yawn while browsing spiritual videos on YouTube. An elderly lady next to the man sports a bag that screams �It�s Mine�, suggesting a craving for personalisation even at 65 or 70. The journey, in a nutshell, encapsulates the way India consumes...

Pandemic poverty to recovery: Lessons from a rollercoaster ride

Rajesh Shukla October 15, 2024

India has made remarkable progress in reducing income-based extreme poverty over the past several years, but this journey has been anything but straightforward. From 2015 to 2023, the country experienced a sharp rise in extreme poverty, worsened by the covid pandemic, followed by an equally dramatic recovery. Household income data from PRICE�s ICE 360 surveys (2016, 2021 and 2023) provide critical insights into these fluctuations and sheds light on how government interventions, economic resilience and social programmes shaped the fight against extreme poverty....

Rich Farmers Gotta Pay Tax

Rajesh Shukla October 1, 2024

As India strides toward its vision of Vikshit Bharat (developed India), it must confront the realities of economic inequality, particularly in the agricultural sector, where disparities are deeply entrenched. Agriculture, employing nearly 50% of the population but contributing only 17% to the GDP, reflects a vast divide between smallholders with marginal incomes and a small group of wealthy farmers who control a substantial share of the sector�s wealth. To address this imbalance and drive India�s developmental goals, implementing a well-structured taxation policy for affluent farmers is essential. This would not only generate much-needed revenue but also promote greater economic equity....

THE FALLING CITY

Rajesh Shukla , Anil Padmanabhan September 20, 2024

EARLIER THIS WEEK, three-time chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, stepped down�six months ahead of what would have been the conclusion of his second full term at the helm. An accused in the liquor scam, the former chief minister was released on bail a few days earlier by the Supreme Court. Atishi is taking over as the new chief minister, giving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) a new leadership in Delhi.

E-commerce is reshaping jobs and consumer welfare in India

Rajesh Shukla September 9, 2024

India�s e-commerce landscape has grown significantly over the past decade, becoming a crucial part of the country�s retail ecosystem. As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping, the sector�s expansion raises questions about its impact on employment and consumer welfare. A recent report of Pahle India Foundation (PIF) in collaboration with People Research on India�s Consumer Economy (PRICE) offers insights into these effects, based on a survey of consumers, online sellers and traditional offline retailers across urban India.....