GREEN SHOOTS
   Date :13-Feb-2020

Time and Tide_1 &nbs
 
THE statement on visible green shoots in economy by Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman is not an off-the-cuff remark. She has rightly pointed at seven indicators which show that the economy is not in trouble. International economic agencies, too, had termed the present slowdown in the economy as a cyclical phenomenon due to global reasons. India has endured the phase really well and the Budget 2020 laid out a fine roadmap despite all limitations to revive the economy. Ms. Sitharaman has referred to the upbeat mood in the stock market and all-time high forex reserves. These are early signs of a change in the situation and call for a comprehensive plan for its monetary capitalisation. Exports and public consumption are the two keys that the Government has marked for a turnaround from the green shoots. The new tax regime with two options and multiple slabs is a likely gamechanger as it holds the potential to allow higher spending. More the consumption, more the production is the mantra the Government is seeking.
 
WHITEWASH
 
THE 3-0 whitewash inflicted by New Zealand on India in 31 years in a One-Day International series should not come as a surprise for the Men in Blue. When it was their turn in the Twenty20 series, the Indians did the same to the Kiwis but most of them were close calls that went in favour of the visitors due to multiple factors. New Zealand is too good a team to be gripped by a habit of choking which was underlined by the performances in the ODI series. India would do well to shrug off the lethargy in their bowling and fielding that was below par to say the least. With two Test matches coming up with a chance to swell the points kitty in the World Test Championship, India have no other option than to go for a quickfix to iron out their glaring flaws. Captain Virat Kohli was quite expressive in berating his bowlers and fielders for the whitewash. Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah will be the pivots for India in the Tests. Both cannot afford to be off-colour for a long time. The ODI loss was primarily a result of key engine failures.