Context: India’s foreign policy while dealing with the neighbouring countries in the South Asia Region has changed from 2016 to the present. Rather than prevailing over any uncooperative neighbour using any means possible, India has now shifted towards using soft-power diplomacy, thereby improving ties with each of the South Asian countries. However, it has virtually… Continue reading The neighbourhood in turmoil, lessons for India
Author: Luv Sharma
Three development models that can guide Indian state economies
News: At present, India’s economic policymakers are trying to look after potential stagflation. Possible long-term strategies for high, employment-intensive growth Three broad groups of states are identifiable, each with a distinct development model. Bihar model Coverage: The model is generally found in a group of the least developed states which includes Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam… Continue reading Three development models that can guide Indian state economies
Pockets of hope, linking nature and humanity
News: Recently, the International Day for Biological Diversity was observed on May 22 across the world. Significance of Biodiversity It is the living fabric of our planet. It underpins human well-being in the present and in the future. Its rapid decline threatens nature and people alike. What are the drivers of biodiversity loss? According to… Continue reading Pockets of hope, linking nature and humanity
Objection milords: SC’s GST Council ruling is an overreach and can be hugely disruptive. GoI should file review petition
News: A Supreme Court Bench in a judgment has said that the recommendations of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council were not binding on the Central and state governments. In the five years since GST has been rolled out, the GST Council has been the decision-making body on all key matters such as tax… Continue reading Objection milords: SC’s GST Council ruling is an overreach and can be hugely disruptive. GoI should file review petition
Frequent policy flip-flops are bad for farmers as well as consumers
Context: In a sudden move, the central government banned the export of wheat on 13th May, a day after retail inflation numbers for April were released. It was wheat inflation at 9.6% that triggered this panic reaction. None of it was unexpected, given the trend so far. The Food and Agriculture Organisation food index has… Continue reading Frequent policy flip-flops are bad for farmers as well as consumers
Crushing lives: On the need to enforce rules in quarries
Context: Death of three workers in an accident at a private stone quarry in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu has raised concerns regarding worker safety at hazardous sites. In the present case, a falling boulder trapped six workers and their heavy vehicles under debris in a 300-feet deep stone quarry. Contents1 Were the norms… Continue reading Crushing lives: On the need to enforce rules in quarries
In Perarivalan’s case, the constitutional battle between governor and government
News: Recently, the Supreme Court of India exercised its power under Article 142 of the Constitution and ordered the release of A.G. Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case. This has put an end to the battle between the Raj Bhavan and Secretariat that has lasted more than two decades. What… Continue reading In Perarivalan’s case, the constitutional battle between governor and government
Bridging the health policy to execution chasm
News: The Union government has released a guidance document on the setting up of a ‘public health and management cadre’ (PHMC) as well as revised editions of the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for ensuring quality health care in government facilities. Background The health sector has been facing multiple challenges of handling an epidemic and… Continue reading Bridging the health policy to execution chasm
On marital rape, regressive notions undermine autonomy of women
News: Recently, two judges of the Delhi High Court handed down separate judgments on the constitutional validity of the “Marital Rape Exception” under Section 375 of the IPC in RIT Foundation v Union of India Case. What is the law? Section 375 defines “rape” as when a man has sex with a woman without her… Continue reading On marital rape, regressive notions undermine autonomy of women
Lessons for today from India’s 2006 wheat crisis
News: India faced a wheat crisis in 2006. The present article lists out the reasons that caused it and lessons that can be learnt. The author is this article was appointed as the Secretary of Food and Public Distribution during that time. What was the situation in 2006 and the reasons behind it? – Centre… Continue reading Lessons for today from India’s 2006 wheat crisis
