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As India’s economy stagnates, PM Modi revives UPA’s Economic Advisory Council

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Narendra Modi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The five-member panel will be headed by Bibek Debroy and include Surjit Bhalla, Rathin Roy, Ashima Goyal and Ratan Watal

Three years into his government, hit by predictions of an impending doom in the Indian economy – wounded severely by demonetisation and a hasty rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revived the UPA government’s ‘think-tank’, the Economic Advisory Council, to help him steer the nation back to a growth trajectory.

Of course, the EAC predictably has as its members economists who are more aligned with the Modi regime’s ideas of economic reform and development, unlike the several panels that existed for different spans of time under former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s UPA government wherein members were often picked not purely for their ideological affiliations with the ruling party but for their expertise in different fields of the economy.

Nevertheless, Modi’s decision to revive the EAC with NITI Aayog member Bibey Debroy as its head is a significant move that – despite claims by the Prime Minister, finance minister Arun Jaitley, other senior ministers and BJP members – can be seen as the Prime Minister’s tacit admission of the fact that India’s growth story has taken a hit and needs expert ‘advise’ for revival.

Besides Debroy, who as member of NITI Aayog (Prime Minister’s redesigned version of the erstwhile Planning Commission) worked on several ideas on economic reforms that Modi held dear, other EAC members are Surjit Bhalla, development economist Rathin Roy and macro-economics expert Ashima Goyal. Ratan Watal, principal advisor to the NITI Aayog and a former finance secretary, will serve as the member-secretary of the panel.

The EAC members, all of whom seem well aligned with Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley’s idea of a making India’s economy more liberal (read: pro-market, pro-private sector and disinvestment), are expected to work closely with the NITI Aayog and senior bureaucrats of the Union finance ministry, including the government’s chief economic adviser Arvind Subramaniam and principal economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal.

“Addressing issues of macroeconomic importance and presenting views thereon to the Prime Minister. This could be either suo-motu or on reference from the Prime Minister or anyone else,” is the key term of reference for the panel.

Taken at its face-value, the EAC appears to be the perfect team of economists who can draft a blueprint for reviving investor sentiment in the nation’s economy and suggest policy reforms that are in line with Modi’s vision (the this may be a matter of concern for many given the country’s experience in dealing with the Prime Minister’s demonetisation idea).

However, it may be worth exploring whether the constitution of the EAC – belated as it is – at a time when the government has less than two years left in power, will actually have enough time to realize its objectives. More importantly, given the slew of Assembly elections due across the country in the run up to the mega general election scheduled for April-May 2019 and the political compulsion of governments to adopt populist economic policies over pragmatic ones in state/union budgets that precede these polls, it remains to be seen whether the EAC will actually accomplish anything more than just filing copious reports on its recommendations.

The decline in India’s economy – despite contrary claims made by Modi and Jaitley – is more than evident and the recent figure of GDP growth rate declining to 5.7 per cent in the last quarter – falling to a three-year low – endorses this notion comprehensively. Besides just boosting figures and data, which mean little to a common man who doesn’t understand economic jargon, the major challenge for the EAC would be to suggest way of boosting India’s stagnant job market. All indications are that the Congress and opposition’s attack on the BJP during polls would include lack of jobs and the resultant unemployment as potent ammunition.

Modi doesn’t have the drawback that his predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh, was constantly bogged down by – having to accommodate views of the National Advisory Council headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and comprising activists who wanted the government to focus more on social empowerment, often at the cost of economic progress. But given the Prime Minister’s style of functioning, the bigger question seems to be whether he will actually be open to advise given by his council of economic advisors.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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