News: Under the new government guidelines, courses concerning Indian Culture, History, and Social Studies in foreign universities shall not be covered under National Overseas Scholarship (NOS). What the new guidelines are not justified? – It will shrink the student opportunities, and put a ceiling on their academic ambitions. – Government should not decide on what students… Continue reading Barring students from studying Indian history or culture in foreign universities speaks of prickliness and prejudice
A new measure of inflation is brewing on the horizon
News: A radical shift in paradigm with respect to the calculation of the Consumer price index has recently been initiated in the United Kingdom, by the British journalist, cookbook author, and anti-poverty campaigner, Jack Monroe. The “Vimes Boots Index” as the name of a price index, she planned to document inflation in prices of basic… Continue reading A new measure of inflation is brewing on the horizon
The Tobin funnel and post-covid stimulus withdrawal dilemmas
News: The Government has recently signaled that India will exit its extraordinary fiscal and monetary policies of pandemic times, gradually. Why there is a need to exit the pandemic-induced extraordinary policy? The pandemic has affected all the economies and made the governments spend more. The central banks also injected extra liquidity into financial systems. Such… Continue reading The Tobin funnel and post-covid stimulus withdrawal dilemmas
The reforms that farming really needs
News: Central government repealed three farm laws that it introduced in the year 2020. This has again brought the focus to the APMCs (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) where the majority of the first time sale of farmer’s produce takes place. It has been widely acknowledged that APMC markets across the country suffer from various irregularities… Continue reading The reforms that farming really needs
Amending the FRBM Act
News: The finance ministry has excused itself from providing a projection of its fiscal consolidation plan. What is the issue? In the recent budget, the Union finance ministry committed to reducing the government’s fiscal deficit from 6.9 percent of gross domestic product or GDP in 2021-22 to 6.4 percent in 2022-23. Further, the deficit is… Continue reading Amending the FRBM Act
Regulation, not prohibition – on online skill gaming industry
News: The Karnataka High Court has delivered a judgment striking down major portions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2021. This law was introduced to ban online gambling and skill-based gaming platforms like rummy, poker, and fantasy sports that involved risking money on an uncertain event. Apart from Karnataka, Madras and Kerala High Court also struck… Continue reading Regulation, not prohibition – on online skill gaming industry
Data openness is good but its safe use is a must
News: The Government of India has released a policy document called “Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy 2022”. About the Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy, 2022 Read here: Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy, 2022: India’s draft data policy unlocks govt data for all, mulls monetization What are the challenges in allowing public… Continue reading Data openness is good but its safe use is a must
Kyiv, The World & US – On Ukraine crisis
News: Russia deployed its troops near Ukraine’s borders. This has raised several concerns about what steps will the world countries adapt if the situation gets worse. Read here: Russia – Ukraine crisis | Timeline What will be the consequences if Russia invades Ukraine territory? On Russia: US can impose CAATSA sanctions on Russia and put Russia out of… Continue reading Kyiv, The World & US – On Ukraine crisis
New CSR disclosure framework for companies: Onerous disclosures
News: Government has brought out a new disclosure framework for companies that requires a detailed level of reporting from FY21 within a prescribed format of its Corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities. Companies need to submit these details to the Registrar of Companies. What does the government directive say? The disclosure requires some granular details.… Continue reading New CSR disclosure framework for companies: Onerous disclosures
On legally enforcing Fundamental Duties: Wrong call
News: Supreme court has been hearing a PIL that seeks to legally enforce fundamental duties. It has also issued notice to the centre and states for the same. Fundamental duties (Article 51A) are in the form of general directives to citizens to display some “ideal” conduct in their public lives. However, they are not justiciable… Continue reading On legally enforcing Fundamental Duties: Wrong call
