Context: Employment scenario in India remains poor. This can be gauged by the data on work demanded and availed by households under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Worrying MGNREGS data MGNREGS data: Number of households seeking employment under MGNREGS has increased gradually. No of households availing work under MGNREGS May 2022… Continue reading Growing reliance on MGNREGA in rural areas, elevated youth unemployment in urban areas, are worrying signals
Don’t ignore the services sector
News: India aspires to become a $5-trillion economy. It is predicated on the growth of its international trade to $2 trillion by 2030 which is equally contributed by the merchandise and services sector. Contents1 About the Status of services and manufacturing sector2 What are the issues with the services sector? 3 Why does India need to… Continue reading Don’t ignore the services sector
About the ban on single-use plastics: Plastic Challenge
News: The GoI notified the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 in August last year. It prohibits 20 single-use plastic items by 2022. Contents1 About the rules 2021 2 Why is plastic a cause of concern? 3 Whether the nationwide single-use plastic ban beginning from today will be an effective counteraction? 4 What should be done? About the… Continue reading About the ban on single-use plastics: Plastic Challenge
GST: Five years stronger
News: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has completed its 5th year since its inception on 1 July 2017. Seventeen different laws were merged, and a single taxation system was brought in through the GST. It was first discussed in the report of the Kelkar Task Force on indirect taxes in 2003. Must read: Goods… Continue reading GST: Five years stronger
About NITI Aayog’s report on Gig and Platform workers: Platform economy
News: NITI Aayog has recently released a new policy brief titled “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy.” What is “India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy” Report? Must read: India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy What are the challenges associated with the NITI Aayog report? Issues with compensation and protections in work: This is particularly for… Continue reading About NITI Aayog’s report on Gig and Platform workers: Platform economy
Do not weaken the anti-defection law
News: The political crisis in Maharashtra again created the debate on anti-defection law. Further, the Supreme Court intervention gave undue advantage to the dissident legislators. What is anti-defection law? Read here: “Nominated members” and “Anti-defection Law” in India Supreme Court of India has described the anti-defection law as “constitutional correctives against a legislatively perceived political evil… Continue reading Do not weaken the anti-defection law
One recruit, one salary – Agnipath Scheme
News: Recently, the government of India introduced a new recruitment scheme for the armed forces, Agnipath. Must read: Agnipath Scheme: Need, Benefits and Challenges – Explained, pointwise What are the advantages of Agnipath Scheme? From the 10th year onwards, Agnipath will yield 31,250 soldiers each year (25 per cent of 125,000) for extended service tenures. The… Continue reading One recruit, one salary – Agnipath Scheme
Home and abroad: On PM Modi’s G-7 commitements and freedom of speech
News: PM of India attended the G7 annual summit meeting in Germany along with other special invitees from Argentina, Indonesia, Senegal, and South Africa. Most of the deliberations took aim at the twin challenges seen from Russia and China. Contents1 What economic initiatives were discussed?2 What other issues were discussed at the meeting?3 What was… Continue reading Home and abroad: On PM Modi’s G-7 commitements and freedom of speech
A road safety quartet and the road ahead
News: In spite of several years of policymaking to improve road safety, India remains among the worst-performing countries in this area. The persistently high annual death toll brings into question the country’s ability to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.6, which aims to halve the fatalities and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. Meanwhile,… Continue reading A road safety quartet and the road ahead
The worrying slowdown in India’s fight against poverty
Context: A new poverty estimate has been released by SBI Research. Contents1 What do the findings of the recent estimates suggest?2 Data indicating a slowdown in poverty reduction3 What are the implications?4 Way forward What do the findings of the recent estimates suggest? As per SBI Research, Poverty in India declined to 17.9% in 2020-21,… Continue reading The worrying slowdown in India’s fight against poverty
