Author: ForumIAS

Taxpayer rights and obligations: Context The tax structure of the country is making a paradigm shift both in terms of direct and indirect tax, but it still requires more clarity and fairness in the assessment and collection of the taxes,  so as to bring in more trust among the taxpayers. What is missing? Taxpayers are… Continue reading Taxpayer rights and obligations:

A big broom:  Context: The government’s decision to publicize the identities of entities involved in malpractices through shell companies. What are the reasons behind the government’s crackdown on shell companies? Fight against black money Create an atmosphere of confidence Improving the climate for ease of doing business What is the government’s latest decision on shell… Continue reading A big broom: 

Is FDI the new engine of growth?:  Context FDI from private equity funds have mainly financed e-commerce firms. These have drove import-led consumption boom. Discussion paper on Industrial Policy – 2017 The official discussion paper (DP), Industrial Policy 2017 sets down a list of known constraints, but it ignores serious analyses of poor industrial performance.… Continue reading Is FDI the new engine of growth?: 

Take reform to fuel:  Context Prices of petrol and diesel will come down if states agree on a mechanism to levy GST for oil products Why is the sale price of oil as high as it was when the crude price was twice as high? The government has subsidized the consumers while OMCs and upstream… Continue reading Take reform to fuel: 

Bound by Paris deal, says India: Background President Donald Trump in June announced that America was withdrawing from the Paris deal, arguing that it gave undue advantage to countries like India and China. Amid this uncertainty, India reaffirmed its commitment to the Paris climate change agreement. What happened? External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended UN’s… Continue reading Bound by Paris deal, says India:

A time of strategic partnerships:  Context The article discuss about the importance of strategic partnership in the context of India-Japan relationship. What is the importance of strategic partnership with Japan for India? The India-Japan “Special Strategic and Global Partnership” (a designation and status New Delhi accords to no other partner) has reached new heights. Reasons:… Continue reading A time of strategic partnerships: 

Who knew healthcare was so complex:  Context The NITI Aayog has proposed a solution to the issues plaguing India’s health sector. The solution is to incentivize the private sector via public private partnerships (PPPs), wherein the government provides land, infrastructure, capital for viability gap funding, and patients via referrals from public screening programmes. In return,… Continue reading Who knew healthcare was so complex: 

Call to wipe out modern slavery:   Context There is an urgent need for more aggressive and effective implementations of labor law protections to eliminate modern slavery and forced labour in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). What is the current incidence? The day International Labor Organization (ILO) released new global estimates of modern… Continue reading Call to wipe out modern slavery:  

Is the Sardar Sarovar Dam boon or bane?: Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat on his 67th birthday. Addressing a public meeting after the event, PM Modi called the dam an engineering marvel. The River Narmada Narmada, the largest west flowing river in India & the fifth largest… Continue reading Is the Sardar Sarovar Dam boon or bane?:

The return of India’s super rich:  The trajectory of wealth concentration in the country, not just the levels of recently estimated inequality, is important. Context: High economic disparity among Indians What are the reasons for high economic disparities? A large informal labour force Turbulent capital markets Unequal access to education Employment and mobility of workforce… Continue reading The return of India’s super rich: