Telecom Commission sticks to its modelfor calculating SUCThe Telecom Commission has decided to continue with its earlier model for calculating

spectrum usage charges (SUC) using the weighted average, but it has added a

condition that the annual charges for any operator will not fall below 3 per cent.

For new spectrum auctions, a flat rate of three per cent will be charged, for the

remaining airwaves the weighted average method will apply.

Gopinath’s appointment as Kerala CM’s economic

advisor sparks row

Harvard economist Gita Gopinath was appointed Economic Advisor to Kerala Chief

MinisterPinarayi Vijayan last week. But the appointment has stirred a political

controversy in the Left-ruled state.

The reason: She is thought to advocate neo-liberal economics, while the Communist

Party of India (Marxist), that leads the Kerala government, vociferously opposes such

policies on a national scale. She is seen as standing for everything that the CPI (M)-led

government in Kerala does not: Neoliberal economics that believes in a free market.

India should encourage more FDI, ease labour

restrictions: Hansen

Professor Lars Peter Hansen, the David Rockefeller Distinguished Service Professor

of economics at the University of Chicago and 2013 recipient of the Nobel Prize in

Economicsspoke to the Indian media on diverse economic topics such as the impact of

Brexit globally, the role of central banks in pushing growth, amongst others. Edited

excerpts:

After Brexit, we have seen liquidity coming out of Europe and flowing into

emerging markets such as India. Do you think this trend will continue?

Afforestation Bill stalled

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Bill could not be taken up in the Rajya

Sabha on Monday, with the Congress blocking proceedings in the house till a vote was

taken on the private member bill for special status to Andhra Pradesh.