Author: ForumIAS

Ambiguity on GST irks solar players: Impact of GST on the Indian solar industry Context: The government’s decision to levy 5 per cent GST on solar panels as against the earlier classification of 18 per cent comes as a major reprieve to the industry Introduction: Ambiguity surrounding the Goods and Services Tax rate on various… Continue reading Ambiguity on GST irks solar players:

Taxing times for the States:  GST to herald new era in federalism Context: The withering of the state’s fiscal independence under GST strikes at the core of federalism Introduction: The new Goods and Service Tax (GST) regime, introduced by the way of the 101st Constitutional Amendment, is based on a fundamental notion that uniformity in… Continue reading Taxing times for the States: 

Bilateral catalyst:  Modi’s recent visit promises Science & Technology development Context Science and technology, a key driver for innovation and job creation in both countries, is taking Centre stage in U.S – India strategic relations. Focus on Science and Technology Knowledge and technology have recently become vital to most of the bilateral agreements and strategic… Continue reading Bilateral catalyst: 

What’s brewing in Darjeeling:  The Darjeeling hills crisis Context A resurgent Gorkhaland movement and subsequent state crackdown have infused life with violent uncertainty. What happened In May, the West Bengal government announced Bengali as a compulsory language in schools across the state. By June, this triggered protests and claims of ‘linguistic imperialism’ in the Darjeeling… Continue reading What’s brewing in Darjeeling: 

A greater market role in bankruptcy process : (Live Mint, Editorial) (A smart expenditure for bankruptcy process) Context : To tackle private investment in India, the government should come up with a bankruptcy law which would help businesses exit sooner and capital to be reassigned faster to productive firms, thereby improving economic output and employment. Introduction… Continue reading A greater market role in bankruptcy process :

Transfer unclaimed accruals to fund: IRDA : Senior citizens welfare fund to benefit Context : Insurance companies can no longer retain unclaimed amounts of policyholders if those accruals are more than 10 years old. Such sums need to be, instead, transferred to the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund (SCWF) of the Centre. Introduction : All insurers having… Continue reading Transfer unclaimed accruals to fund: IRDA :

Zero duty to hit Indian dairy industry : Context : 15 crore farmers will be impacted by FTA Introduction : The Indian dairy sector, providing livelihood to 15 crore farmers, would be severely hit if import duties on milk products were eliminated under any Free Trade Agreement (FTA) including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP), according to… Continue reading Zero duty to hit Indian dairy industry :

Govt. may not split Air India for stake sale : Govt. may not split Air India Context: The central government may not sell Air India’s domestic and international operations separately. Introduction : The government’s concern is that Air India’s valuation may take a hit if hives off Air India into two companies and invites bids for… Continue reading Govt. may not split Air India for stake sale :

‘India’s concerns slowing RCEP talks’ : (RCEP sluggish talks concerns India) Context : India’s reservations regarding the potential adverse impact of eliminating duties on its local manufacturing and job creation is understood to be slowing down the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. RCEP : The RCEP is a proposed mega Free Trade Agreement (FTA) involving… Continue reading ‘India’s concerns slowing RCEP talks’ :

India rejects OIC move on vigilantism  : (India rejects OIC concern) Context : India rejected the resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that had expressed concern about the recent attacks on people by cow-vigilante groups. Statement by Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) An official statement from the MEA stated that the resolutions adopted at the… Continue reading India rejects OIC move on vigilantism  :