Context: Recently, after the controversy over controversial remarks on the Prophet, India’s top political and bureaucratic functionaries emphasised India’s stronger credentials as a secular democratic polity. Recently, External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser (NSA), Ajit Doval and Prime Minister made statements that emphasised India’s stronger credentials as a secular democratic polity. All these remarks… Continue reading Clear signals the ‘fringe’ ought to read
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Reset mode – on GST Council Meet
News: GST Council meeting was held recently. There are many takeaways from this meeting. GST Council meet, held recently, was its first ‘regular’ meeting after a nine-month break. It discussed recommendations of four ministerial groups’ to fix various aspects of the indirect tax regime. The council ratified 3 out of 4 reports by the groups. What were… Continue reading Reset mode – on GST Council Meet
Growing reliance on MGNREGA in rural areas, elevated youth unemployment in urban areas, are worrying signals
Context: Employment scenario in India remains poor. This can be gauged by the data on work demanded and availed by households under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Worrying MGNREGS data MGNREGS data: Number of households seeking employment under MGNREGS has increased gradually. No of households availing work under MGNREGS May 2022… Continue reading Growing reliance on MGNREGA in rural areas, elevated youth unemployment in urban areas, are worrying signals
Don’t ignore the services sector
News: India aspires to become a $5-trillion economy. It is predicated on the growth of its international trade to $2 trillion by 2030 which is equally contributed by the merchandise and services sector. About the Status of services and manufacturing sector It comprises over 50% of the GDP, overriding the contribution of both agriculture and… Continue reading Don’t ignore the services sector
About the ban on single-use plastics: Plastic Challenge
News: The GoI notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 in August last year. It prohibits 20 single-use plastic items by 2022. About the rules 2021 Various single-use plastic items will be banned from 1 July 2022, including ubiquitous plastic cutleries. However, plastic carry bags having a thickness of less than 120 microns will… Continue reading About the ban on single-use plastics: Plastic Challenge
GST: Five years stronger
News: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has completed its 5th year since its inception on 1 July 2017. Seventeen different laws were merged, and a single taxation system was brought in through the GST. It was first discussed in the report of the Kelkar Task Force on indirect taxes in 2003. Must read: Goods… Continue reading GST: Five years stronger
About NITI Aayog’s report on Gig and Platform workers: Platform economy
News: NITI Aayog has recently released a new policy brief titled “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy.” What is “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” Report? Must read: India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy What are the challenges associated with the NITI Aayog report? Issues with compensation and protections in work: This is particularly for… Continue reading About NITI Aayog’s report on Gig and Platform workers: Platform economy
Do not weaken the anti-defection law
News: The political crisis in Maharashtra again created the debate on anti-defection law. Further, the Supreme Court intervention gave undue advantage to the dissident legislators. What is anti-defection law? Read here: “Nominated members” and “Anti-defection Law” in India Supreme Court of India has described the anti-defection law as “constitutional correctives against a legislatively perceived political evil… Continue reading Do not weaken the anti-defection law
One recruit, one salary – Agnipath Scheme
News: Recently, the government of India introduced a new recruitment scheme for the armed forces, Agnipath. Must read: Agnipath Scheme: Need, Benefits and Challenges – Explained, pointwise What are the advantages of Agnipath Scheme? From the 10th year onwards, Agnipath will yield 31,250 soldiers each year (25 per cent of 125,000) for extended service tenures. The… Continue reading One recruit, one salary – Agnipath Scheme
Home and abroad: On PM Modi’s G-7 commitements and freedom of speech
News: PM of India attended the G7 annual summit meeting in Germany along with other special invitees from Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal, and South Africa. Most of the deliberations took aim at the twin challenges seen from Russia and China. What economic initiatives were discussed? G7 countries discussed the following economic initiatives: – the launch of… Continue reading Home and abroad: On PM Modi’s G-7 commitements and freedom of speech
