New Delhi, May 16 -- Former UN Advisor and economist Santosh Mehrotra, on Saturday, urged the government to shift its fiscal strategy by aggressively taxing the super-rich and high-net-worth individuals instead of relying on regressive indirect taxes like fuel and gold duties, which he warned are compounding inflation and destroying jobs.

Speaking to ANI against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the prominent economist painted a stark picture of the macroeconomic pressures facing India, warning that the Indian Rupee could slide to Rs.100 against the US dollar within the next quarter.

Mehrotra argued that higher indirect taxes on petrol, diesel and gold are worsening inflation and hurting jobs and advised the...