Economic Highlights
New
Delhi, 18 December 2023
MP Meat Ban Disturbing
CAN RISK GLOBAL BIZ
By Shivaji Sarkar
The new Union
Budget will be tabled in less than two months from now and is supposed to pave
the course of the biggest popular electoral process in the world. In a rising
world inflationary situation and uncertainties all around in West Asia to
Europe, would India be able to keep off the difficult realities amid the US Fed
move to cut rates?
More
than that some decisions such as the Madhya Pradesh government banning egg and
meat product sales could have serious repercussions. If it becomes the norm
also in other states like Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh, the country may goo though
a difficult phase.
India
being the highest seller of buffalo and other meat products would be having a
dichotomy. In Madhya Pradesh alone there are 60 producers who export rabbit,
crab, emu, chicken, pork, buffalo and a variety of other meat products. Would
they be functioning? If they are made to shut down, India’s global business
phenomenon could be treated as fickle paving way for flight of capital.
The new
syndrome could lead to law and order and difficult business-oriented
phenomenon. Number of non-vegetarians are high. Most tribals are meat
eaters. There could be law and order problems apart from clandestine sales
and smuggling. Rent seeking could be high. Perhaps in lure of propaganda for flaunting
religiosity, the new leaders have barged on to an uncharted course. The central
government has been making efforts to increase all sorts of exports, which are
seeing a decline for some time.
This
might aggravate the US rate-cut syndrome and impact the budgetary process. In
normal circumstances it is expected to pour in the US and western funding.
Besides, it would also depend on how the Israel-Hamas situation impacts overall
the US monetary movements. It is raising losses for Israel in terms of casualties
and a daily loss of an estimated $269 million. The heavy assaults in Gaza have
its own repercussions. The businesses are suffering in Israel and its economy
heads for contraction. Its political repercussions are not easy to predict,
particularly in a year that the US heads for polls and sustains many of the
losses of Israel.
India,
of late, has been seeking closer ties with Israel. Haifa port investments by
the Adani group is considered strategic for financial gains and diplomatic
clout. Besides, the disturbed West Asia has so far almost jettisoned the
India-Europe Middle East trade corridor that was to pass through the region. It
could have benefitted Indian companies immensely.
The
rate-cut was expected to lead to higher US investments in India and softening
of the dollar. Each year that hope has been belied with dollar getting more
expensive vis a vis rupee adding additional costs on Indian imports and higher
forex outgo. On exports, it fetches fewer dollars. Outgo has increased on both
counts.
Despite
petroleum prices falling, India has not been able to pass on the benefit to
consumers. The rupee outgo has increased and cannot sail through even a softer
international fuel price regime as dollar remains firm and hovers over Rs 83.
It’s servicing on external debt of $629.1 billion is increasing.
The US
dollar-denominated debt remained the largest component of India’s external
debt, with a share of 54.4 per cent at end-June 2023, followed by debt
denominated in the Indian rupee (30.4 per cent), SDR (5.9 per cent), yen (5.7
per cent), and the euro (3.0 per cent).
India’s “Vikasit
Bharat” narrative has led to demand for higher debt. The government says it
was investing in the growth of India. Inflation was 7.4 percent in July and in
November it is at 5.8 percent, a little below the Reserve Bank of India
tolerance range of 6.5 percent. This means prices may go up further in normal
domestic situation. If international situation worsens it would add to the
pains of budgetary process.
Surprise
was the growth at 7.6 percent in the second quarter. It also sees rise in
wholesale price index rising after a seven-month thaw. The concerns over rising
prices are on the minds of the policymakers. Pulses and cereals denote
significant rise in CPI food basket. Quite a few items’ prices such as onion,
ginger, and garlic are rising continuously. Despite the ban on wheat exports,
the prices have risen by about 25 percent. On the contrary, the farmers are not
getting remunerative prices.
The meat
ban could increase “illicit sales” or smuggling of meat products, particularly
in urban areas. Higher rents would add to inflation, costs on policing and
harassment of business couriers vitiating the social atmosphere. All this increases
costs and may lead to rework the budgetary process.
If there
are social disturbances, as the Lok Sabha election approaches nearer, Indian
companies, renowned for their resilience and adaptability, creating
opportunities amid global challenges, may get into a financial morass. It could
also affect the ability to innovate, leverage technology, and respond
swiftly.Such prudery also affects international business companies. Alarmed by
such moves they might take decisions to postpone investments despite the
additional finances likely to be available to the US investors.
The
changed milieu could create a stickiness that the US is trying to overcome.
International community keeps a close watch on socio-political developments. An
awry politico-social phenomenon in one part may have wider ramifications. The
Manipur crisis has yet to subside. Mizoram has voted in a different way and the
new BJP states are acting differently. These may not be considered welcome
indicators by many global players, who are intrigued by increasing ethnic
disturbances at different places.
Global
disruptions in supply chains, accentuated by events like the trade tensions
between major economies, have prompted a reassessment of manufacturing and
supply chain strategies. Indian companies, particularly in sectors like
electronics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, may have to drastically diversify
or relocate to ensure they remain profitable.
The
inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is being seen as a jubilant phase in
the society. If it gives rise to prudery, it might have undesirable impact on
the ease of doing business. It is hoped that it might end in a whimper and
would not majorly change the business syndrome.
Any
aberration could alter the business course. The leadership has to be pragmatic
so that the economy thrives and does not get into a whirlpool that could
disrupt economy, finance and political stability. Steering it deftly is the
need of the hour.---INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
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