Synopsis: Implications of the sale of Air India for the future of India’s public sector. Introduction Recently, the Tata Group emerged as the winning bidder for Air India, the debt-laden national carrier. Further, in this year’s Budget, the government unveiled a bold new disinvestment policy for even the strategic sectors. The government is also pursuing… Continue reading Will privatisation take off after the Air India sale?
Category: 9 PM Daily Articles
The process is the punishment
Synopsis: The right to Liberty is a fundamental right as enshrined in our constitution. But given the number of people denied bail, this needs closer scrutiny. Introduction Recently in the Aryan Khan case, the courts denied the bail again. Earlier only the poor were victims of denials of bail. Now it looks like jail and… Continue reading The process is the punishment
Engaging the Taliban
Synopsis: India and regional powers should ensure that the Afghan rulers respect their people’s rights. Contents1 Introduction2 Why engagement with the Taliban is vital for India?3 Why is Taliban signalling a change in its policies?4 What is the way forward? Introduction Recently India participated in a meeting with Afghanistan along with 10 other nations in Moscow.… Continue reading Engaging the Taliban
The outlines of a national security policy
Synopsis: Once cyber-technology becomes a key variable in the defence policies of a nation, land size or GDP size are irrelevant. Introduction In the 21st century, the world is moving to cyber weapons-based warfare. Therefore, after cyber-technology enters as an important variable in nations’ defence policies, the size of a country will cease to matter.… Continue reading The outlines of a national security policy
Cat to the rescue: Govts, insurers must issue catastrophe bonds for citizens’ financial protection from weather events
Synopsis: With India prone to disaster activities, there is a need to launch the cat bonds or catastrophe bonds. Contents1 Introduction2 What are catastrophe bonds or cat bonds? 3 What are the benefits of cat bonds?4 What should India do? Introduction Climate change has an adverse impact on the nature and environment. It led to a lot… Continue reading Cat to the rescue: Govts, insurers must issue catastrophe bonds for citizens’ financial protection from weather events
Towards zero hunger
Synopsis: Food programmes must focus on nutrition Contents1 Introduction2 How affordability of food is guaranteed in India?3 How India is faring w.r.t nutritional security?4 What are the reasons for poor nutritional security?5 What needs to be done? Introduction The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021 places India at a lowly 101st position among 116 countries, below… Continue reading Towards zero hunger
Why India needs an international development cooperation agency
Synopsis: Development assistance provided to other countries is an important component of India’s soft power. But there is an urgent need to restructure and institutionalize it. Contents1 Introduction2 History of India’s developmental assistance3 How has India’s institutional framework for developmental assistance evolved?4 How is India’s developmental assistance structured? 5 What should the IIDCA provide? Introduction India,… Continue reading Why India needs an international development cooperation agency
Reform fuel pricing
Synopsis: Govt must follow a transparent fuel pricing mechanism. Introduction The government’s approval of the full privatisation of Air India has raised expectations that the disinvestment of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) may be carried out effectively and as planned before the end of this financial year Yet there are broader questions about the management… Continue reading Reform fuel pricing
India’s difficult transition from fossil fuels to net-zero emissions
Synopsis: India faces many challenges in reducing dependence on coal and oil but the greater use of gas in our energy mix could ease the way. Introduction The coal crisis has forced the Indian government to ramp up domestic production and imports of coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, while the world focuses on net-zero carbon… Continue reading India’s difficult transition from fossil fuels to net-zero emissions
Water governance reform
Synopsis: Given the level of the water crisis in India, there is an urgent need to take a deeper look at water management and water governance in India. Introduction Ever since Independence, the governance of water has suffered from at least three major issues or artificial divisions: between irrigation and drinking water, Surface and groundwater… Continue reading Water governance reform
