Some days ago, while passing through Panthapath on my way to work, I saw many people, including day labourers and rickshaw pullers, gathered with sombre expressions: the roadside food stalls they depended on for affordable meals had been removed.

The informal economy is not a leftover of "under-development" but continues to operate across advanced societies.

Specific policy incentives are needed to stimulate the economy and revive the labour market.