Synopsis: The new directive by Union environment ministry overrides 2016 rules that did not permit carry bags made of recycled plastic for food items. Introduction Recently, the Union government notified the Plastic Waste Management (Second Amendment) Rules, 2021. The latest notification is a U-turn by the Centre and its stand of five years. The use… 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. Introduction Recently, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) suggested to pay sugarcane prices to farmers in tranches and stop reserving cane areas for sugar mills. It has pros and cons that need to be weighed carefully. What are the other key suggestions given by… 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. Introduction India’s global brand recall and attributes of multi-cultural ethos, authenticity, and ethnic diversity are reason for increasing the country’s potential. One channel… 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. Introduction RBI recently announced the formation of a composite Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) to capture the extent… 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. Introduction The All-India Debt and Investment Surveys (AIDIS), carried out by the National Statistical Office are among the most important nationally representative data… 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. Introduction Recently, Finance Minister, said that India needed four or five banks of State Bank of India’s (SBI’s) size to serve the growing and changing needs in the post-pandemic world. The minister further argued that… 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
