News: Govt earlier this year allowed the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve (ISPRL), which runs the SPRs, to lease 30% of capacity and trade another 20%. The decision to commercialise half of India’s paltry SPRs is ill-conceived. Contents1 What is a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)? 2 Why is government deciding to commercialize SPR? 3 What are the associated… Continue reading Trading on a buffer-Can India afford to commercialize its fuel reserves
Author: Luv Sharma
Questions still on how far labour codes will change gig workers’ lot
News: Although companies claim that they take care of the social security needs of their workforce, but the various surveys suggest a different trend. For example – Uber, incidentally, has scored a zero in the Fairwork India Ratings 2021 on the working conditions of app-based gig workers, as have Ola and Porter. Covid-19 disrupted earnings,… Continue reading Questions still on how far labour codes will change gig workers’ lot
How to protect India’s film heritage
News: The Govt has decided to merge four publicly-funded institutions with National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). Scholars are questioning this treatment, which is based on a misconception that cinema is either an object of information or broadcasting. These cultural institutions have been known to perform better without the shackles of centralised power or unnecessary bureaucratic… Continue reading How to protect India’s film heritage
Why online gaming in India needs regulation
News: Online gaming has flourished during the pandemic. The average time spent on online gaming has gone up almost 65% from pre-Covid levels. More than 43 crore people have spent time on virtual gaming. In light of this, this industry needs to be regulated in India. Moreover, regulation of online gaming will not only open… Continue reading Why online gaming in India needs regulation
In Tamil Nadu, a lack of political will to end the Palk Bay conflict
News: Palk Bay (an important marine zone between south-eastern India and northern Sri Lanka) has been a source of dispute for long. It has come under news once again due to arrest of 68 Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan authorities. More on this arrest here. What has been the history of the issue? … Continue reading In Tamil Nadu, a lack of political will to end the Palk Bay conflict
Trade defence: On anti-dumping duty on Chinese goods
News: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) recently notified the imposition of anti-dumping duty on five products manufactured in China, including certain aluminium goods and some chemicals, for five years. Contents1 What is the rationale behind this move?2 What is the anti-dumping duty?3 What are some related concerns?4 What is the way… Continue reading Trade defence: On anti-dumping duty on Chinese goods
Strengthening IBC
News: The need for quicker resolution of insolvencies cannot be overemphasised. It makes capital more efficient, improve credit culture, and help boost growth. In this light, it is encouraging to see that the government is consistently working to strengthen the IBC by addressing the emerging gaps. Recently, it proposed another set of changes that would… Continue reading Strengthening IBC
What the pandemic has taught us about the economics
News: Economy is affected by two types of shocks exogenous and endogenous. Exogenous shocks are those that come from outside the system, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Endogenous are those which come from within the system, like the 2008 North Atlantic financial crisis. What are the economic lessons that one can draw from the pandemic? The… Continue reading What the pandemic has taught us about the economics
Edtech’s teachable moment
News: Government has issued an advisory to citizens that caution should be exercised while using the services of companies that offer online and remote learning courses. These companies have been accused of delaying refunds, suppressing information about auto-debit facilities and luring subscribers to sign up for tuitions without explaining the financial implications. What is the… Continue reading Edtech’s teachable moment
Step Motherly? Is the denial of FCRA renewal for the Mother Teresa founded NGO at all justified?
News: Missionaries of Charity (MoC), an NGO founded by Mother Teresa has been denied the renewal of its FCRA registration by the home ministry. It should be noted that the FCRA registration is mandatory for any NGO or association to receive foreign funds or donations. MHA is the controlling authority of FCRA, and it conducts… Continue reading Step Motherly? Is the denial of FCRA renewal for the Mother Teresa founded NGO at all justified?
