Do it yourself

Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its Quarterly Project Implementation Status Report (QPISR) for Q1 FY 2025-26. This report provides a detailed overview of the key high impact infrastructure projects which represent the backbone of India’s infrastructure push. The report offers insights into projects’ progress, challenges, and sectoral distribution. The report classifies the high impact projects into ‘mega projects’, costing ₹ 1,000 crore or more, and ‘major projects’, costing between ₹ 150 crore and ₹ 1,000 crore. The following are some of the key highlights of the reports: Total projects under implementation ·          At the end of 1QFY26, India had 1,734 (vs 789 in Q1FY25) central sector infrastructure projects (≥ ₹ 150 crore) under execution. Out of this, 619 are mega projects and 1115 are major projects, entailing a total outlay of Rs28.42trn (Rs10.97trn at end of 1QFY25). Out of these...

Some notes on the current state of the Indian economy. Monsoon ‘abnormal’ so far The monsoon season this year has been quite erratic so far. Statistically, during the period from 1 st June to 22 nd August the country has received 9% more than the normal rainfall. However, the temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall has been quite abnormal so far. ·          252 (36%) of the 703 districts in the country have witnessed ‘excess’ (20% to 59% above normal) to ‘large excess’ (60% or more above normal) of rains. ·          236 (34%) districts have received ‘normal’ (upto 19% above or below normal) rains. ·          215 (30%) districts have received ‘deficient’ (60% to 59% below normal) to ‘large deficient’ (more than 60% below normal) rains. ·          More importantly, the granaries of India – UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, ...

The conventional wisdom guides that roads are meant for moving forward and trampolines are meant to get momentary high without going anywhere. Usually, the chances of reaching the planned destination are highest if the traveller takes a straight road. The chances are the least if they ride a trampoline. Walking on ropes may sometimes give you limited success. Investors who jump up and down with every bit of news are only likely to lose their vital energy and time without moving an inch forward. Reacting instantaneously to every monthly or quarterly data, every policy proposal, corporate announcement, market rumor are some examples of circuitous roads or short cuts that usually lead us nowhere. The developments in global financial markets in the past couple of years highlight that presently very few persons are interested in taking the straight road. Taking the straight road means investing in businesses that are likely to do well (sustainable revenue growth and profitability)...