Synopsis: The new directive by Union environment ministry overrides 2016 rules that did not permit carry bags made of recycled plastic for food items. Contents1 Introduction2 What the concern w.r.t the Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2021?3 Why using recycled Plastics in Food packaging is a problem?4 What is the way forward? Introduction Recently,… Continue reading Why new rule allowing recycled plastic in food packaging raises concerns
Author: Ram Manohar
Staggered pricing: On cane pricing
Synopsis: The Government should avoid populist measures in cane pricing. Contents1 Introduction2 What are the other key suggestions given by CACP?3 Why is CACP favouring a staggered payment mechanism?4 How the proposed measures affect the interests of both the cane growers and the sugar industry?5 What is the way forward? Introduction Recently, Commission for Agricultural… Continue reading Staggered pricing: On cane pricing
Growing locally: On significance of GI tags
Synopsis: Geographical Indications tag is an opportunity for India to redefine the future of work using automation, technology and artificial intelligence while simultaneously enhancing and adorning the country’s talented local work force. Contents1 Introduction2 Why GI tag is significant?3 How Geographical Indications can benefit India?4 What are some existing challenges?5 What is the way forward?… Continue reading Growing locally: On significance of GI tags
We require a more inclusive financial inclusion index
Synopsis: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unveiled its newly conceptualized Financial Inclusion Index to “capture the extent of financial inclusion across the country”. For meaningful financial inclusion, we must have meaningful metrics in the public domain. Contents1 Introduction2 What are the outlines of the new Index?3 Why RBI’s ‘financial inclusion index’ is much… Continue reading We require a more inclusive financial inclusion index
A lesson from China on gig workers’ rights
Synopsis: Recently, the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court demanding that the Union government provide assistance to workers affected by the pandemic. Introduction The petition has asked for ‘gig workers’ and ‘platform workers’ to be declared as ‘unorganised workers’ so they come under the purview of… Continue reading A lesson from China on gig workers’ rights
What gives rise to the rural debt trap?
Synopsis: A large proportion of the rural population is still excluded from institutional finance. Lack of marketable collateral, credit demand for consumption purposes and informational constraints are the primary reasons for it. Contents1 Introduction2 What does the AIDIS report published this month reveals?3 What does the data revealed by AIDIS imply?4 How socio-economic inequality shapes… Continue reading What gives rise to the rural debt trap?
The big bank idea
Synopsis: India needs more efficient financial entities. Amalgamation of PSBs to create bigger banks, is not the ideal way forward. Contents1 Introduction2 Why increasing the scale of banks will not aid infrastructure financing?3 Why government should not aim at increasing the scale of banks through mergers?4 What is the way forward? Introduction Recently, Finance Minister,… Continue reading The big bank idea
The war for digital talent: India can emerge as a global hub for it
Synopsis: Tech skills are in short supply globally. The article lists five measures that we should take that will help India lead efforts to close the gap. Introduction The pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of enterprises, creating enormous opportunities for all organizations. This sudden acceleration in demand has led to a war for digital… Continue reading The war for digital talent: India can emerge as a global hub for it
Nature-based, people-centred solutions for water
Synopsis: Suggestion and reforms mandated by the draft New National Water Policy. Introduction Since Independence, water policy in India has focused primarily on construction of large dams and extraction of groundwater. However, the new National Water Policy (NWP), drafted for the first time by a committee of independent experts, points out the limits in further… Continue reading Nature-based, people-centred solutions for water
The use of NFTs by cyber games can explain their utility
Synopsis: NFTs provide the assurance of immutability and guarantee of uniqueness. However, most of the cutting-edge innovation in NFTs are taking place in the gaming space. Introduction When a person purchases the non-fungible tokens (NFT) of a work of digital art, he is not buying the artwork itself. He is just purchasing a record on… Continue reading The use of NFTs by cyber games can explain their utility
