Synopsis: The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to stay the Reserve Bank of India’s circular may delay the shift towards better governance in Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs). Introduction The RBI had in June this year said that Members of Parliament, Assemblies, municipal corporations, municipalities, or other local bodies could not hold the corner-room post, or be a… Continue reading Politics vs governance: on Urban Cooperative Banks
Author: Ram Manohar
Why Palm won’t fix India’s edible oil woes
Synopsis: India should focus on improving indigenous edible oil production rather than focusing on palm oil, that has many problems. What are the problems associated with oil palm crop? Reduces choices of farmers: Since, Palm is a long gestation crop, it reduces the responsiveness of farmers to changing market demand. For instance, farmers can switch… Continue reading Why Palm won’t fix India’s edible oil woes
Rolling out the EV charging network
Synopsis: Steps taken by government to increase EV charging network in India. Introduction The Indian vehicle market is poised for a historic leap into electrification. On the rollout of a charging network for electric vehicles (EVs), India faces the classic chicken and egg problem—EVs require charging infrastructure and that requires EVs. According to the Society of Manufacturers… Continue reading Rolling out the EV charging network
The employment dividend from exports
Synopsis: The surge in some export sectors has the potential to address India’s urban jobs challenge with necessary policy intervention. Introduction The share of exports in India’s gross domestic product has seen a steady decline to about 11% during the last ten years. But for the current year, India’s exports of merchandise goods are booming.… Continue reading The employment dividend from exports
The economic reforms — looking back to look ahead
Synopsis: Systemic policy reforms are required to unlock creativity and innovation in the economic system, raise the total factor productivity (TFP) and to achieve higher growth. Introduction The crisis caused by the pandemic in the country and at global level has led to a debate about new approaches to manage the economy and the future… Continue reading The economic reforms — looking back to look ahead
The e-Rupi could take us a long way towards financial inclusion
Synopsis: The payment-voucher system’s (e-RUPI) features make it ideal for programmes aimed at bridging the digital divide in India. How has India progressed wrt digital payment ecosystem? India has emerged as a leader in digital payments, with a manifold increase in such transactions in recent times. There are not many countries that allow digital transactions… Continue reading The e-Rupi could take us a long way towards financial inclusion
India’s digital architecture: From infrastructure to superstructure
Synopsis: To support our ecosystem for financial inclusion, we need to factor in the enablers and account aggregation. Introduction India’s asset monetization initiative, the National Monetisation Pipeline has garnered attention but other two recent initiatives which are far more substantive did not get their fair share of it. One was the Factoring Bill amendments and… Continue reading India’s digital architecture: From infrastructure to superstructure
Data regulation is undergoing a significant revolution
Synopsis: Technology businesses are most effectively regulated through a judicious mix of law and technology. To regulating technology, we cannot have one without the other. Introduction At a high-level ministerial meeting recently, seven countries came together to endorse a techno-legal approach to data regulation. The participating delegates committed to exploring how technical frameworks such as… Continue reading Data regulation is undergoing a significant revolution
Inside the unfolding healthtech revolution
Synopsis: Growth of Digitalisation in India is catalysing the growth of innovative Healthtech startups and this gives India an opportunity to address the issues plaguing India’s Public health care. What are the issues plaguing India’s public health care? COVID has put the focus back on India’s inadequate healthcare infrastructure, which has been affected by issues… Continue reading Inside the unfolding healthtech revolution
Carbon neutrality powered by AI
Synopsis: Countries like India, which are leading the adoption of climate change measures, will have to encourage energy companies to embrace higher levels of AI usage. Introduction As the world pushes to mitigate the impact of climate change, it will have to rely much on emerging technologies. The foundational shift of energy transition from fossil-based… Continue reading Carbon neutrality powered by AI
