News: This article discusses the changes going on in the global monetary system and how India can attract capital in this scenario. How the global monetary system is changing? To handle huge levels of debt, the developed world and China need to inflate away their debts. The developed world has discovered it’s new normal in… Continue reading India’s structural opportunity in a new age of financial repression
Author: Ram Manohar
On an equal footing
News: The growth potential of India cannot be achieved without giving equal opportunity to every State. This article discusses the deprivation faced by many states and suggests few power sector reforms. Contents1 How low-income States (LIS) are deprived on many fronts?2 How energy sector/power play a role in increasing the disparity?3 What changes are needed… Continue reading On an equal footing
The farm deal that needs to be reworked
News: This article discusses the vital issues related to agriculture that the government needs to keep in view while formulating the country’s strategy for future negotiations on agriculture-related matters in various WTO forums. Why AoA of WTO needs to be reviewed? One, Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its amendments… Continue reading The farm deal that needs to be reworked
Fading SEZ appeal
News: Recently the government has started working on replacing the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, 2005, with a new law. Why such change? The finance minister has indicated that the updated legislation would enable states to become “partners in the development of enterprise and service hubs”. It may also allow SEZ units to sell in… Continue reading Fading SEZ appeal
Fixing farm insurance
News: Recently, Maharashtra has indicated that it might exit PMFBY because the farmers are dissatisfied with it. What are the issues existing with PMFBY? First, it is the government’s flagship crop insurance scheme. But there are numerous issues even after modifications. Six states have exited from it, while Punjab, a leading agricultural state, never joined… Continue reading Fixing farm insurance
Teachers mustn’t be blamed for India’s poor learning outcomes
News:There is need to address the systemic and societal problems that are at the heart of poor learning outcomes. Teacher is expected to be the sole agent of education, gradually she becomes demotivated and become the target of the blame. However, the roots to the problem lie in larger systemic and societal causes. The article… Continue reading Teachers mustn’t be blamed for India’s poor learning outcomes
I For International?
News: Recent reports suggest that IITs are in talks to open up outposts in Britain. This article says, IITs expanding abroad is a good idea. But there is need of more radical reform. Why there is need of reforms in higher education institutions? One, the IITs are widely respected in India but there is no… Continue reading I For International?
A Case for Specialists
News: The recent regulatory breaches at the National Stock Exchange is an example of why India needs more regulatory expertise. In this article, the author argues for inclusion of more domain experts in policy making. Why there is need to consider protecting economics from politics and vice versa? One, there was continuity in policy implementation… Continue reading A Case for Specialists
A case for a more federal judiciary
News: The delicate balance between HCs and SC is tilting in favour of the SC. The article discusses the need to balance the power between High Courts and the Supreme Court. Federalism is a midpoint between unitarism, to which the States are subordinate and confederalism wherein the States are supreme and are coordinated by a… Continue reading A case for a more federal judiciary
The importance of caste data
News: Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the 27% quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the All-India Quota seats for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test. What does the judgement say? One, the judgement reiterated that reservations for backward classes were not an exception but an extension of the principle of equality under Article 15(1) of the… Continue reading The importance of caste data