Cover Story

Balancing Act
Budget numbers show a sharp rise in FY20 fiscal deficit

Overspending for Growth
The Budget reveals the government is willing to stretch its finances by going off the fiscal glide path
Firing Up Two Cylinders
The Budget aims at boosting consumption and private investment to pull the economy forward
Fuelling Economic Growth
A dozen experts interpret Budget 2020 and its impact
What Budget 2020 Has for You
The decision to switch to the new income tax rates will depend on the level of deductions that you are able to use in the present regime

2020-02-23

Digital

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The Point

FMCG, Durables Consumption Takes a Tumble

FMCG and consumer durables sectors have been on a slow growth trajectory over the past four quarters, beginning Q4-FY19. Initial signs of slowdown came when the large players saw demand softening

Spike in New Investments

In the December 2019/20 quarter, new investments announced by the public and the private sector touched Rs 4.27 lakh crore, the highest in seven quarters

Too Optimistic

According to the first advance estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, GDP growth for FY20 is expected to be 5 per cent, the lowest in 11 years

Central Spending Falls Short of Mark

The Centre is set to keep its expenditure at 92 per cent of the budgeted amount (lower than the budgeted amount by nearly Rs 2.2 lakh crore)

Bank Credit to Industry Contracts

Incremental bank credit grew just 1.8% during April-December 2019 compared to 7.7% during the same period a year ago

Technology

AR: Moving the Real World

How companies are using augmented reality to build as well as sell things

Policy

Plugging Import Leaks

Anti-dumping duties have often failed to support domestic industry

Network

Rahul Bajaj's Kurta Passion

Bajaj's passion for kurtas is well known in business circles. He can be spotted in his favourite attire at professional events too

Management

Unlocking the Innovation Key

To survive and grow, all businesses need a culture that is conducive to innovation. Enabling management attributes and a top-down involvement can make this possible

Interview

"There Will Be Good Response to Direct Tax Amnesty Scheme"

A day after she presented her second Budget, Business Today caught up with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her North Block office to find out the reasoning behind the key initiatives in Budget 2020

We Have to Get to 4-5% of GDP in Research

While the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, in 2019, recommended that India more than double its expenditure on research and development (R&D) to 2 per cent of GDP by 2022, N.R. Narayana Murthy, the legendary founder of Infosys, thinks this wouldn't be enough to solve the pressing problems facing the nation.

Industry

Out of the Box

A clutch of start-ups is making inroads into the niche market for learning-based activity boxes. The response is strong but as of now limited to urban areas

Low on Charge

In India and elsewhere, the electric vehicle story has not quite lived up to the overzealous projections of a few years ago. A course correction is under way

Finance