Govt to amend Apprenticeship Act in monsoon session to boost hiring

  Relevance: The amendments aim to improve skill development and provide flexibility of companies in India  What is the News?  The Ministry of Skill Development is likely to amend the Apprenticeship Act in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament. Amendment will expand the scope of the act and allow companies to hire more apprentices, by providing them flexibility.  Contents1 What is Apprenticeship? 2… Continue reading Govt to amend Apprenticeship Act in monsoon session to boost hiring

Smart Metering Program shouldn’t be implemented in Haste

Relevance: Inefficient discoms have been a critical problem for India’s power sector since long.   Synopsis: Smart meters have the power to improve the revenue recovery rate of discoms and ensure better electricity services to the consumer. But such outcomes can be expected only if our roll-out program are executed well and not in haste.  Background:  Announced in Union Budget 2020 –21, smart… Continue reading Smart Metering Program shouldn’t be implemented in Haste

23 states at additional Covid risk due to Biomedical waste

Relevance: Prior to pandemic itself, India’s biomedical waste management capacity was already limited. With the advent of pandemic, biomedical waste generation has increased manifold.  What is the News?  A study was conducted by the International Institute for Population Science (IIPS) to determine the Covid risk due to increase in Biomedical Waste.  What is Biomedical Waste?  Biomedical Waste means any waste… Continue reading 23 states at additional Covid risk due to Biomedical waste

Securities market: On the cusp of change

Relevance: A robust financial market is critical for optimum channelization of surplus in an economy.  Synopsis: We need to establish a capable financial market system. One of the challenges is the less than perfect functioning of regulatory bodies.  Problems with the regulators  Concentrated power: Regulators in India are unique in having concentrated power, with an intermixing… Continue reading Securities market: On the cusp of change

A system of shared IDs can globalize digital currencies

Relevance: Digital currencies are gaining global attention. Even an inter-ministerial committee (IMC) suggested to introduce National Digital Currency under the RBI.   Synopsis:  The major countries of the world are planning to issue their respective digital currencies whose success depends on the degree of global acceptance and transferability.   Background:  Digital Currency is a direct claim on a central bank, like regular cash. FedCoin,… Continue reading A system of shared IDs can globalize digital currencies

Lesson from China on bad banks

Relevance: There is a debate going on in India to open bad bank for solving the NPA problem with banks.  Synopsis – To address stressed assets [nonperforming loans (NPLs), a bad bank must have a fixed term and a narrow mandate with clear aims.  What are bad banks?  A ‘bad bank’ is designated financial institutions that purchase and resolve nonperforming assets (NPAs) from banks and help… Continue reading Lesson from China on bad banks

Protecting Prisoners’ right

Relevance: Prison reforms in India have been pending of late.   Synopsis: Overcrowding in prisons has put several inmates at risk of COVID-19 infection and death. It is a violation of the human rights of prisoner.   Background   In India Prisons are overcrowded and it has left thousands of prisoners at risk of Covid infection and death.   According to data, there are 12,715 inmates lodged in 11 sections of… Continue reading Protecting Prisoners’ right

The new urban

Relevance: Distinctive features of government’s key schemes related to urban planning and development  Synopsis: Completion of six years of implementation of three major flagship missions of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs — the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission.  Contents1 Special feature of all these missions 2… Continue reading The new urban

What India’s new rules mean for e-marketplaces

Context:   The Centre has proposed additions and changes to the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020. This has caused confusion among e-commerce firms and stakeholders.  To whom the new rules applicable?  According to the definition provided in the rules, these rules apply to “all goods and services bought or sold over digital or electronic networks including… Continue reading What India’s new rules mean for e-marketplaces

Reviving the Airline Sector

Synopsis: The government and industry should collaborate to develop a sustainable restart strategy.  Governments need to come up with consistent policies based on evidence. While the industry should do whatever it can to reinstate passenger confidence and embrace new ways of making revenue.  Background: Airlines have been battling uncertainty since March 2020. In April 2020,… Continue reading Reviving the Airline Sector

Blog
Academy
Community