In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Amit Basole, Professor of Economics and Head, Centre for Sustainable Employment and the lead author of the State of Working India report. They talk about why India’s unemployment challenge remains unresolved, why fixing the employment crisis goes beyond grand economic reforms, touching on issues like local governance, municipal underfunding, and the lack of coordination between ministries and levels of government. They also delve into what India’s demographic trends imply for the future, and whether the country risks “growing old before growing rich.” Tune in for insights into one of India's most urgent and complex economic problems.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Abhijit Das about what’s at stake for India in its free trade agreement (FTA) with developed economies like the UK. Why do countries push for non-trade clauses such as labour, environment, and gender standards in trade deals? How do intellectual property (IPR) obligations affect India’s ability to innovate? Drawing on his deep experience in global trade negotiations, Professor Das explains how developed countries often mask protectionist aims behind values-based clauses, how stringent standards can become new barriers to exports, and why India must be cautious about TRIPS-plus commitments. They also discuss how much FTAs actually contribute to export growth, and why domestic reforms—like cutting red tape and improving logistics—matter more for India's trade ambitions. Tune in for insights on how the fine print of FTAs can shape India’s economic future.

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In this episode, journalist Puja Mehra speaks to economist and Director of the Delhi School of Economics, Ram Singh about why India's income tax base remains so narrow. Why do the richest Indians pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than the middle class? Drawing on his research, Ram Singh explains how India's tax system unintentionally favours the wealthy, and why income reporting becomes less honest as wealth increases. They talk about changes in compliance between 2014 and 2019, the role of GST, digital trails, and behavioural nudges like faster refunds in improving tax honesty. Should India introduce a wealth tax to plug the gap? Is the current tax structure fair? And what policy tweaks could make India’s tax regime more equitable without causing unintended harm? Tune in for insights on the disparity, psychology, and economics of taxation in India.

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