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. How was the response of south India to the Centre’s major policy initiatives different from the response of north India? (1) Demonetization Period: In North India, there were… Continue reading The duality of India
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
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. Important reports regarding employment Three reports have appeared recently on the issue of jobs. The first pertains to start-ups that have begun… 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. What are the issues in SRAs? They face questions of accountability and excessive concentration of power. They seem to depart from the principles of the separation of power… 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. About… 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. What did the HC say? The High Court expressed its concern over the growing tendency of misuse of the dowry provisions against the husband and his family members. It… Continue reading A case of the court straying into the legislative sphere
Arun Prakash writes: Agnipath, between the lines
News: Recently, the government of India introduced a new recruitment scheme for the armed forces, Agnipath. How do other nations solve their challenges with armed forces? All major nations undertake a periodic (every 4-5 years) review of their evolving national security objectives, the options available, and the economic/military means available for achieving them. For example,… Continue reading Arun Prakash writes: Agnipath, between the lines
Why North Is Rain-Starved & Northeast Is Flooded
News: After a season-long heatwave from March to May, the north-northwest and central India are undergoing a rainfall deficit, while Northeast India and Bangladesh are hit with devastating floods. For instance, Meghalaya’s Mawsynram – the world’s wettest place – recorded more than 1,000 mm of rain for the first time on June 17. What are… Continue reading Why North Is Rain-Starved & Northeast Is Flooded
