Category: 9 PM Daily Articles

News: The Economist recently published a series of reports blaming countries like China and India for much of the carbon-emissions problem. Such international media focus on just Indian and Chinese carbon emissions is unfair and doesn’t help the larger cause of climate change. There is no denying that, in 2020, in absolute terms, China and… Continue reading Dear ‘The Economist’, climate change is a global predicament

News: The Char Dham road expansion project, to be executed by Min of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), was inaugurated in 2016. In 2018, it was challenged by an NGO for its potential impact on the Himalayan ecology. The Supreme Court (SC), in 2020, after consultation with the high-powered committee (HPC) and on the basis… Continue reading The road to a Himalayan blunder

News: India’s largest IPO (Paytm) made a disastrous stock market debut and ended its first trading day at a discount of 27% to the issue price. Questions are, hence, being raised on the valuation of the firm and the IPO. Paytm, along with an educational technology start-up, are being viewed as one of the ‘shining… Continue reading Over-valued unicorns in a distressed economy

News: India has decided to enter into trade agreements with key partners like the UK, UAE and Australia and announced an ambitious plan for an early harvest deal by March 2022. These trade agreements coincides with India coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic-related slowdown and wants to become “Atmanirbhar” and play “a bigger role in… Continue reading What India should strive for in trade deals

News: In the Attorney General of India v. Satish case, the Supreme Court has set aside the controversial judgment of the Bombay HC which held that ‘skin-to-skin’ contact is necessary for an act to be classified as sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences(POCSO) Act. Contents1 About the Bombay HC judgment2 About… Continue reading The significance of Supreme Court’s recent POCSO decision

News: A heavy increase in fertilizer subsidy bill is seen. Contents1 A brief background of fertilizer policy since 1991 reforms:2 What is the need for reforms in the fertilizer sector?3 What is the way forward?4 What are the steps already taken by the government? A brief background of fertilizer policy since 1991 reforms: After years… Continue reading Reforming the fertilizer sector

News: Recently, government repealed three farm laws. Agri reforms in India are necessary to unlock the true potential of agriculture and the agro-processing industry, and for the efficient allocation of private and government resources. However, the success of any attempt to reform the agriculture sector in India would depend to a large extent on the… Continue reading Non-farm jobs and social mores hold India’s key to farm reforms

News: Despite the announcement by the PM to repeal the three farm laws, farmers have said their protest will continue. They have written to the PM with their six remaining demands. One of the main demands by farmers is that, MSP should be made a legal entitlement of all farmers for all agricultural produce. However,… Continue reading Explained: In perspective, farm distress and the demand for guaranteed MSP

News: Big emitters must reconsider their stated net-zero date and specify a credible action plan. Contents1 Important elements of a disaster response2 How have UNFCCC & IPCC fared in terms of the four elements of response wrt climate change?3 What are the implications?4 What is the way forward? Important elements of a disaster response There… Continue reading Climate justice must drive climate action