News Europe’s push for renewable energy at the cost of conventional fuel may lead to some second and third order effects, which will have global ramifications. What is the issue? As it cannot depend entirely on energy generated through Sun or wind, Europe has been relying more on natural gas to make up the electricity shortfall. Europe’s sudden increased… Continue reading The consequences of an ill-considered green strategy
Author: Amit Kumar
“Taxing Drama-on Retroactive tax disputes”
News Cairn energy, a British firm will be getting around 7,900 crore rupees from Indian government. It has won an arbitration proceeding against India regarding the retroactive tax dispute. What was this dispute? Government of India had introduced a retroactive tax in the year 2012. Accordingly, it pursued proceeding against Vodafone and Cairn energy asking them for paying these taxes retroactively. … Continue reading “Taxing Drama-on Retroactive tax disputes”
Challenge arbitration awards carefully
News: Recent guidelines by the central government have asked its arms, including state-run firms to avoid appeal against every arbitration award, especially in the cases that have a low probability of success. These guidelines are released to avoid project delays. What are the implications of these project delays? Project delays and cost overruns cause a lot of harm to the exchequer. Government has to at the… Continue reading Challenge arbitration awards carefully
India’s green cover has advanced far too slowly
News–India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 has reported very slow progress of afforestation over the past two years. India must aim for faster progress to adapt and mitigate the effects of worsening climate change. What are the details about the latest India state of forest report? Read here. Why slow progress is a cause of concern? India set… Continue reading India’s green cover has advanced far too slowly
A code for the committee of creditors
News: Parliamentary Standing Committee of Finance in its report had argued for the need to have a professional code of conduct for the committee of creditors. After this Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) had issued a discussion paper proposing a code of conduct (code) for the Committee of Creditors (CoC) to ensure transparency in its functioning. Why there is need… Continue reading A code for the committee of creditors
Inflation heresy mustn’t always be rejected out of hand
News: Inflation has been on the rise in most part of the world. This has once again started the debate on the best way to restore price stability. What are various strategies to deal with Inflation? Old/orthodox method-This involves the reduction in spending and raising of interest rates. But this method often has side effects (such as bankruptcies and rising… Continue reading Inflation heresy mustn’t always be rejected out of hand
Time’s Running out-Is India ready to handle 34,600 tonnes of solar waste?
News: India plans to generate about 280 GW of energy through solar power by 2030. While this may seem a climate smart move but it also leads to generation of huge amount of solar waste. A holistic approach to solar energy includes not only a green and clean perspective, but also resource and material management. Why India needs a solar waste… Continue reading Time’s Running out-Is India ready to handle 34,600 tonnes of solar waste?
“Liberal economics creates illiberal societies”
News: Capitalism and the idea of liberal economics has been proved to be counterproductive for the equality and democratic values. It has given rise to nationalism and authoritarianism globally. How liberal economics leads to authoritarian regimes? Liberal economists are against “populist” policies of governments that subsidise the poor and adopt industrial strategies for self-reliance and jobs for their… Continue reading “Liberal economics creates illiberal societies”
India’s nuclear arsenal recently went up the sophistication curve
News: India’s nuclear capabilities have been strengthened recently due to new weapons testing. It has ignited debates around its implications for the regional stability. In the last months of 2021, India conducted 2 missile tests: 1) Shaurya hypersonic weapon test 2) Agni-P missile test. It has increased India’s sophisticated nuclear arsenal with greater diversity of delivery systems. Hypersonic weapons such as Shaurya are… Continue reading India’s nuclear arsenal recently went up the sophistication curve
Dealing with Sri Lanka
News: Sri Lanka is facing a debt crisis and it has asked for assistance from China. Sri Lanka is facing a debt crisis due to various factors, such as; Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s debt to the leveljust above default. Country’sforeign debt had reached 42.6 per cent of gross domestic product. It has to pay… Continue reading Dealing with Sri Lanka
