News: There are rumours that the age of retirement of Supreme Court of India judges is to be increased to 67 years What should be the prioritized areas with respect to the reforms in the functioning of the Supreme Court of India? The disparity between the retirement ages of HC (62year) and SC judges(65year) should… Continue reading A wish list for reform in India’s higher judiciary
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Sukanta Chaudhuri writes: Education plan for disbanded Agniveers is alarmingly vague
News: Recently, the government of India introduced a new recruitment scheme for the armed forces, Agnipath. What are the educational benefits provided to Agniveers? Two major plans have been mooted. First, those joining after Class X can proceed to a Class XII certificate through the National Institute of Open Schooling. Second, a special three-year degree programme… Continue reading Sukanta Chaudhuri writes: Education plan for disbanded Agniveers is alarmingly vague
The duality of India
Context: In the history of Independent India, the South India States have reacted to the policy moves by the Centre quite differently from their counterparts in north India. Contents1 How was the response of south India to the Centre’s major policy initiatives different from the response of north India?2 Why is the response from south India… Continue reading The duality of India
At the centre of job creation
Context: The government should re-establish its role as the principal employment generator. Moreover, with its announcement that 10 lakh government jobs will be provided over the next 18 months on a “mission mode”, the govt has sent the following message: – the creation of employment is indeed a problem and can no longer be hidden… Continue reading At the centre of job creation
Madan Sabnavis writes: The jobs puzzle
Context: While the government’s intent to add over a million jobs in the next 18 months is laudable, the task is audacious and challenging from both an administrative and financial point of view. Contents1 Important reports regarding employment2 Problems with the Unemployment data3 What is the situation wrt unemployment in India?4 Why Start-ups cannot be… Continue reading Madan Sabnavis writes: The jobs puzzle
Flaming question: Why is it so easy to burn trains? Because effective RPF, local police coordination is missing
News: Over 500 trains were cancelled recently following protests against Agnipath scheme. The cancellation follows instances of arson and wilful destruction of railway property. Yet again, Indian Railways (IR) has been made collateral damage. Cancellations not only directly inconvenience millions but undermine the economy, as railway rakes transport 3.3 million tons of freight daily, mainly… Continue reading Flaming question: Why is it so easy to burn trains? Because effective RPF, local police coordination is missing
India buys more coal from Russia, and urea from the US — diversifying supply sources is good policy
News: India’s imports of Russian coal in June are reportedly expected to be the highest in at least seven and a half years. This comes alongside Russia displacing Saudi Arabia to become India’s second-largest oil supplier after Iraq in May. Neither of these are unwelcome developments, nor the fact that India has, for the first… Continue reading India buys more coal from Russia, and urea from the US — diversifying supply sources is good policy
The complex world of regulators
News: Recently, there has been an important change in the working of the government. Nowadays, the statutory regulatory authorities (SRAs) have become important institutions of the government. Contents1 What are the issues in SRAs?2 Some good examples of SRAs success3 How can the working of SRAs be improved?4 Measures Taken So far What are the… Continue reading The complex world of regulators
Resurrecting a dead law
News: Recently, Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 is back in the news. India made a formal submission for criminalising “offensive messages” in the ongoing negotiations at the United Nations for a proposed international treaty on combating cybercrime. The language in the submission is similar to what was used in Section 66A. Contents1… Continue reading Resurrecting a dead law
A case of the court straying into the legislative sphere
News: Recently, the Allahabad High Court took cognisance of the misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), pertaining to dowry practice in India. Contents1 What did the HC say?2 How is the judgment different from the SC’s judgment?3 What are the arguments against the issuance of directions by the Allahabad HC?4 Argument… Continue reading A case of the court straying into the legislative sphere
