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Corporate Economy Expressions Markets Leisure 01 January, 1998   Reserve ratio: Setting the record straight The Reserve Bank of India should be congratulated for restoring the meaning of the monetary policy. It has raised the cash reserve ratio (CRR) to 10% reversing the trend observed in the last two years or so. This is to tackle the problem of surplus liquidity spilling over to the forex market aiding speculation on the value of the rupee.   Market and development economics Contrary to the general impression, governments should not toss up between markets and development economics. In fact, both not only can but should co-exist. Let pragmatism rule It is commendable that the Disinvestment Commission is going about its task in a professional manner ignoring the government's cursory response to its recommendations. Sick units or those which are not performing well enough to be able to function on a competitive basis even after a revamp have to go and this is precisely what the commission is advocating. The Sen lecture Amartya Kumar Sen's lectures in India are an annual ritual. Virtually no one disagrees with the Harvard professor's sharp criticism of the lack of ethics in Indian economic policy. This country has "the largest number of poor in the world and also the largest middle class on earth". But Sen's lectures have so far fallen like dew upon sand.   Tough year? 1998 could be tougher. Hidden in the haiku's prescribed 17 syllables -- the equivalent of one healthy lungful of air -- is a thorny question which could leave a CEO breathless: does Highway 98 lead to prosperity? Or are you skateboarding to perdition? For, whatever the twists and turns of 1997, 1998 threatens to be even more convoluted. Sansui - a tale of two joint ventures To paraphrase Alice (in Wonderland), things seem to be getting curiouser and curiouser at Sansui. First there were reports saying Sansui had broken its marketing contract with Kitchen Appliances India Ltd and had instead chosen the more aggressive Baron International Ltd to sell its products. Then, Kabir Mulchandani, Baron's managing director told the media that Sansui and Akai would not be competing brands in the Indian market.     Sansui - a tale of two joint ventures   Market and development economics   Let pragmatism rule   Reserve ratio   The Sen lecture   The Index   Tough year? 1998 could be tougher.