You, Me and the Economy

Even as Ladakh demands democracy, and stands up for its environment and the way of life, it also offers an alternative socio-economic paradigm against the profit-oriented model of development. But, are we willing to listen? Thank you for listening to this podcast, for more updates like this, go to our website- www.cenfa.org. And keep listening to You me and the economy.

Does SBI’s delay in disclosing the data of electoral bonds, and then not revealing it in full, make it a suspect? Now that the Electoral Bond data is out, the question remains- why did the largest and the most trustworthy bank in the country kept giving excuses to delay the information? Thank you for listening to this podcast, for more updates like this, go to our website- www.cenfa.org. And keep...

The government keeps claiming about protecting the interests of the “annadatas” but in reality farmers from nearly 160 villages are marching again towards the national capital. And instead of any signs of talks, they are being greeted with cement barricades, teargas and armed police.  Thank you for listening to this podcast, for more updates like this, go to our website- www.cenfa.org. And keep li...

Do the claims of empowering the ‘Garib’, ‘Mahilayen’, ‘Yuva’and ‘Annadata’ stand the test of reality? Let’s find out in this budget-special episode of You, Me and the Economy. Thank you for listening to this podcast, for more updates like this, go to our website- www.cenfa.org. And keep listening to You, Me and the Economy

It’s important to question G20 as despite being an informal group, its policy decisions and recommendations impact the whole world. It’s timet to raise your voice for people’s issues and concerns for a more democratic, just and inclusive financial system and political order. Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our website www.cenfa.org and keep lis...

From defence to high-tech industries, cutting-edge chips are essential. And India needs a strategy to access technology transfer, and not rely on its cheap labour and subsidies at the cost of taxpayer’s money. Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our website www.cenfa.org and keep listening to You Me and the Economy.  Useful Links:  https://asiatime...

If the situation is so bad for millionaires who are at the top of the wealth pyramid, how would it be for the ones at the bottom? This is a question we must ask ourselves as we read these reports and see the rising number of outflows from the country.  Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our website www.cenfa.org and keep listening to You Me and th...

The breach of India's vast health data is absolutely shocking, but the government's response is even more appalling. Instead of trying to reassure the public or improve digital security, the government is just trying to wash off its hands. Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our website www.cenfa.org and keep listening to You Me and the Economy.  S...

Balasore triple train collision has brought our focus to a glaring question before we can talk about trains—the safety of existing trains. Do we need luxury trains or safe and reliable trains? Do we need Vande Bharats that cost over Rs 1000 even for a small journey or trains that the poor take to work, to healthcare, and to a livelihood? This accident has also laid bare our idea of development tha...

Fortified rice is making inroads into India’s Public Distribution System despite a very inadequate pilot study and disregarding the health concerns of 80 crore beneficiaries. Now a new report by the reporter’s collective has found that large corporate interests might be the reason behind this big move that could potentially change the very food on our plate.  Read the 3-part report from the report...

For the first time, the gulf countries are trading oil in Yuan. BRICS countries are planning a new common currency? Are the days of dollar supremacy over? Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our website www.cenfa.org and keep listening to You Me and the Economy.  Story and production: Kavita Kabeer, Jimmy James Production support: Haripriya Harshan

A latest report shows that 57 public sector companies contributed at least Rs 2913.6 crore to the PM CARES fund, between 2019-20 and 2021-22; all contributing over 200 crores. This new information completely changes the position that as a public charitable trust, PM CARES fund doesn’t receive any govt money.  Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our...

A battle is raging in the Konkan region of Maharashtra between the people and the government. Enduring so much pain and suffering, why are the villagers of Konkan protesting? We explore in this week’s episode of #YouMeAndTheEconomy Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our website www.cenfa.org and keep listening to You Me and the Economy.  Story and...

Ignoring the realities of the population, the government is going ahead with fortifying other food like wheat, cereals, pulses and milk! What we actually need is a balanced diet. Access to cheaper fruits and vegetables is essential, and so is supplying diverse food under the National Food Security Act.  Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our websi...

What we need immediately is pumping money into social welfare schemes that would give direct relief to a majority of people. We need a people-centric strategy to battle these heatwaves, and not just for this summer. We need to invest in a long-term strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change that India is bound to be facing.  Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more informa...

China was able to reap the benefits of its demographic divided on the back of rapid industrialisation, with manufacturing and exports leading the way. Its population was also more skilled and educated. Without ample opportunities for quality education and healthcare, could India really count on ‘Make In India?’  Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out...

Why are banks allowed to be grown into such big entities that they become ‘too big to fail?’ And their failures become a burden on public money! Is the government hand in glove with the banks to maximise their profits by doing whatever needs to be done? Willing to take risks that jeopardise public money and lead to a worldwide crisis? Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information a...

Going by the actions of the Norway pensioners fund and the Australian retirement fund that is reviewing its exposure to the Adani group, we need to ask on what basis is LIC holding its share and how much further loss can it bear. Or the strategy is to save Adani at whatever cost? Thank you for listening to this podcast. For more information and analysis, check out our website www.cenfa.org and kee...

When the government is sitting on a large amount of data gathered by the might of its authority, it is not going to give its power away. A weak data protection bill actually might be in the favour of the government and big corporates. Our data in the hands of for-profit corporates would not only put the issues of privacy at risk but could endanger the ethos of democracy. Digital India comes with g...

How can we explain the cuts to MGNREGA and food subsidy? Has the economy fully recovered from the pandemic? In its haste to fast-pace growth with capex push and large infrastructure projects, the government has really played a gamble. Or maybe it is the final gamble to squeeze resources now and release them in the election year 2024, playing the messiah!  Thank you for listening to this podcast. F...

As we acknowledge the huge layoffs at big tech firms, we must remember that they may not make up a lot of numbers in the economy, but they are indeed the dreams and aspirations of middle-class people. Another fact to remember is that the companies are not laying off people because they are facing losses, but because they want to secure their already high profits. If nothing, these layoffs should b...

In this special You, Me, and the Economy episode, Mr Soumya Dutta speaks about the Indian energy market. He delves into the following topics: Important global cues to continue dirty energy financing and Financing non-energy projects to persist fossil fuel financing. This podcast is supported by ROSA LUXEMBURG STIFTUNG South Asia. Listen to our latest episode of You, Me and the Economy!!

Inflation has been pinching India’s poor and working-class every day now. Even if the rates have declined, the majority of the country is still spending a large share of their incomes on essentials. The Govt needs to think beyond the repo rate and help a large section of society by lowering indirect taxes, helping the micro sector and stabilizing the prices of essential items. Thanks for listening...

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are a vital force in the economy. They contribute over 30% to the GDP, provide employment to over 11 crore people and contribute to 50% of exports. And 99% of MSMEs are actually micro units! Would we see the MSME sector driving India’s growth story in 2023?  Thanks for listening to this podcast for more news and analysis go to our website www.cenfa.org and keep...

Prof. Prabhat Patnaik speaks about Income and wealth inequality in India and the ways to finance a welfare state in India. This podcast is supported by ROSA LUXEMBURG STIFTUNG South Asia. Listen Up!