Gold smuggling is on the rise again and in new and innovative ways, directly correlated with increased import duties that make it a profitable crime, ThePrint investigation shows. The government must use the upcoming Budget to minimise import duties to reduce gold arbitrage, control gold smuggling and promote free trade.
Govt including unpaid workers in employment data is an ostrich-like approach to the real crisis
Government data including unpaid workers in employment numbers appears disingenuous. Nearly one-fifth of India’s labour force does unpaid work. For women, this is 37%, and higher still in rural India. Ignoring this is an ostrich-like approach to a real and visible unemployment crisis. This should be a priority in Budget.
India’s Hindu government discouraging Hindu traditions. Buying gold has been a time honoured practice for Hindus since ancient times especially on auspicious occasions like Akshaya Tritiya etc. Irony died a thousand deaths.
The best antidote to gold smuggling is much lower duties and taxes.