Context: In 2014, India’s ministry of law and justice issued a policy on pre-legislative consultation. Background In 2012, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) issued a set of 12 recommendations on policymaking practices for member and non-member nations. Importance of Pre-Legislative Consultation It ensures transparency in the legislative process. Further, lawmakers keep in… Continue reading Let’s redesign the process of pre-legislative consultation
Author: Luv Sharma
The weight of the GST Council ruling
News: Recently, the SC in Union of India Anr. vs Mohit Minerals Pvt. Ltd., ruled that the recommendations of the GST Council are not binding on either the Union or the States. Some States have rejoiced over the ruling. They believe that this has restored the autonomy of States to legislate on GST. The SC’s observation… Continue reading The weight of the GST Council ruling
The path towards greater religious tolerance and social harmony
Context: In the words of K M Munshi: “Indian culture is a living force. It absorbs alien elements when necessary but transmutes them into a new pattern of homogeneous richness. It has made us what we are in the world today; and will make us what we want to be in the world tomorrow.” Nature… Continue reading The path towards greater religious tolerance and social harmony
Urban mining
News: In late April, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram angrily ordered its officials to find out who dumped “malba” — the Hindi word for Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) on either side of the Gurugram-Faridabad road. Frameworks to tackle C&DW already exist. Implementation needs to be improved. What are the causes behind C&DW? C&DW is… Continue reading Urban mining
The inflation spectrometer
News: Inflation is a macroeconomic phenomenon which is under pressure at global and local level. Major driving factors behind inflation Inflation is caused by a number of factors which may includ supply, demand, local and global factors. Globally The inflation started with the US fiscal stimulus during Covid-19. This pushed inflation. This led to increased… Continue reading The inflation spectrometer
Vivek Katju writes: Why India must engage Taliban
Relevance: India – Taliban relations, Engaging with Taliban Context: On June 2, the Ministry of External Affairs announced that a team led by J P Singh, Joint Secretary (PAI) is currently on a visit to Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The government clarified that although the delegation would… Continue reading Vivek Katju writes: Why India must engage Taliban
The judiciary should have annual performance reports, too
News: In a rare exhibition of transparency, the Orissa High Court has published an annual report taking stock of its performance in a difficult year that marked by the resurgence of the pandemic. By subjecting itself to the scrutiny of the common citizen, the court has shown exceptional humility. Details of the annual report The… Continue reading The judiciary should have annual performance reports, too
Explained: Why the Gulf matters for India
News: Recently, the ruling BJP suspended its national spokesperson and expelled its Delhi spokesperson Naveen Kumar Jindal, following comments they had made about Islam and the Prophet. The move came after three countries in the Gulf region had summoned the Indian ambassadors to their nations to register their protest, and demanded a public apology from… Continue reading Explained: Why the Gulf matters for India
Taking steps to ensure sex workers’ rights
News: Recently, the SC in Budhadev Karmaskar v. State of West Bengal & Ors, has given directions related to rights of the sex workers and their children. About Sex Worker and Prostitution The expression ‘sex worker’ has not been defined in the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) or any other law. But according to the ITPA… Continue reading Taking steps to ensure sex workers’ rights
The need for digital collaboration
News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has simplified its approval process for local universities to collaborate with their counterparts abroad, to offer joint degrees, dual degrees, and twinning programmes. Which Higher Education Institution (IHEI) are eligible for collaboration? Indian Any IHEI accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council having a minimum score of 3.01… Continue reading The need for digital collaboration
