At a time when companies across sectors are looking to cut costs by slashing salaries, pharma companies seem to be an exception, as many of the employees here are set to receive generous bonuses and increments. The rationale cited for the same is to retain talent and encourage a culture of growth and learning. Further, given that the pharma sector is highly research oriented, attracting the right talent, atleast, in the R&D department becomes very important. For instance, while Lupin has given its employees increments in the range of 25% to 40%, Cadila Healthcare is contemplating an increase of 25%. Those companies which have been catering to the US and are basically well diversified in terms of geographies have done well and this has translated into higher salaries. Having said that, not all pharma companies have been that lucky and those who have not logged in a strong performance will be shelling out relatively lesser increments to employees
Look at government inefficiency, food prices have galloped at an alarming rate over the last few months. Some blame it on the poor monsoons. Some blame it on hoarding by greedy middlemen. In my opinion, the government unknowingly itself is a massive hoarder. As per a report in a financial daily, the stock of rice and wheat in government granaries is way above the minimum requirement. Sadly, much of this excess stock is stored in the open. It either rots or feeds pests. In my view, this is a national shame. We cannot get the basics right in such a crucial area when food prices are spiraling out of control and millions of Indians still go hungry. Such stocks should be stored properly and released in small lots to stabilise prices.
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