News: The finance ministry has excused itself from providing a projection of its fiscal consolidation plan. What is the issue? In the recent budget, the Union finance ministry committed to reducing the government’s fiscal deficit from 6.9 percent of gross domestic product or GDP in 2021-22 to 6.4 percent in 2022-23. Further, the deficit is… Continue reading Amending the FRBM Act
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
Regulation, not prohibition – on online skill gaming industry
News: The Karnataka High Court has delivered a judgment striking down major portions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021. This law was introduced to ban online gambling and skill-based gaming platforms like rummy, poker, and fantasy sports that involved risking money on an uncertain event. Apart from Karnataka, Madras and Kerala High Court also struck… Continue reading Regulation, not prohibition – on online skill gaming industry
Data openness is good but its safe use is a must
News: The Government of India has released a policy document called “Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy 2022”. About the Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy, 2022 Read here: Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy, 2022: India’s draft data policy unlocks govt data for all, mulls monetization What are the challenges in allowing public… Continue reading Data openness is good but its safe use is a must
Kyiv, The World & US – On Ukraine crisis
News: Russia deployed its troops near Ukraine’s borders. This has raised several concerns about what steps will the world countries adapt if the situation gets worse. Read here: Russia – Ukraine crisis | Timeline What will be the consequences if Russia invades Ukraine territory? On Russia: US can impose CAATSA sanctions on Russia and put Russia out of… Continue reading Kyiv, The World & US – On Ukraine crisis
New CSR disclosure framework for companies: Onerous disclosures
News: Government has brought out a new disclosure framework for companies that requires a detailed level of reporting from FY21 within a prescribed format of its Corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities. Companies need to submit these details to the Registrar of Companies. What does the government directive say? The disclosure requires some granular details.… Continue reading New CSR disclosure framework for companies: Onerous disclosures
On legally enforcing Fundamental Duties: Wrong call
News: Supreme court has been hearing a PIL that seeks to legally enforce fundamental duties. It has also issued notice to the centre and states for the same. Fundamental duties (Article 51A) are in the form of general directives to citizens to display some “ideal” conduct in their public lives. However, they are not justiciable… Continue reading On legally enforcing Fundamental Duties: Wrong call
Trust and Loan – on Central loans to states
News: In the Union budget 2022-23, Finance Minister has provided for Rs. 1 lakh crore in loans to state governments to enable them to increase their capital expenditure. These loans will be interest free and repayable after 50 years. Why such an arrangement raises questions regarding Centre-state fiscal relations? One, the first and foremost issue… Continue reading Trust and Loan – on Central loans to states
A red pen moment for corporate governance
News: A lapse in Corporate Governance was observed recently in the conduct of the former Managing Director of National Stock Exchange (NSE). Read here: Corporate governance in India What are the challenges in ensuring effective Corporate Governance? Managerial Misconduct: There were several managerial misconducts at NSE. As in the recent case, the board did not include discussion… Continue reading A red pen moment for corporate governance
Questions on MGNREGA budget estimation
News: The disappointing allocation for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in the FY 2022-23 budget has created a buzz. Government’s allocation for MGNREGA has been much lower than what State governments ask for and civil society actors had recommended. For instance, The initial allocations in the past two FYs have been just about… Continue reading Questions on MGNREGA budget estimation
Banks must refocus on their basic lending role
News: ABG Shipyard, a ship building and repairing company, is alleged to have committed a bank fraud. Questions are also being raised as to why it took so long to conduct an audit report and for the report to point out mala fide use of funds and legal action to be initiated. Contents1 What is… Continue reading Banks must refocus on their basic lending role
