News: Thomas Edison once said that – Someday there can be a machine or force with so much potential that can cause destruction at such a scale that can persuade a man to abandon war forever. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence-powered weapons point out that they can be this technology. What are Lethal Autonomous… Continue reading Stop the advance of killer robots
Fading SEZ appeal
News: Recently the government has started working on replacing the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, 2005, with a new law. Why such change? The finance minister has indicated that the updated legislation would enable states to become “partners in the development of enterprise and service hubs”. It may also allow SEZ units to sell in… Continue reading Fading SEZ appeal
On India’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC): Coast to Coast
News: Government has given approval for the appointment of the Country’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC). The responsibility of the NMSC will be to ensure effective coordination among multiple agencies dealing with threats from the high seas. When was the idea for the post of NMSC proposed? The establishment of a post of NMSC… Continue reading On India’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC): Coast to Coast
A Planetary adjustment
News: Over the years it has widely proposed and accepted proposition that humanity is in the Anthropocene era and are acting like a geological force that is shaping the planet’s destiny. However, this gives the distorted sense that it is the ‘planet’ that needs protection rather than the people. Why we need to save people… Continue reading A Planetary adjustment
Fixing farm insurance
News: Recently, Maharashtra has indicated that it might exit PMFBY because the farmers are dissatisfied with it. What are the issues existing with PMFBY? First, it is the government’s flagship crop insurance scheme. But there are numerous issues even after modifications. Six states have exited from it, while Punjab, a leading agricultural state, never joined… Continue reading Fixing farm insurance
After the Budget’s ‘crypto signal’, India awaits reforms
News: With the recent Budget announcement of a flat tax rate of 30% on Crypto assets, the Govt has set the ball rolling in the right direction. Although this is being seen as a move towards legalisation of Cryptocurrency, the Finance Min has made it clear in the Parliament that taxing Crypto assets is not… Continue reading After the Budget’s ‘crypto signal’, India awaits reforms
The case for clarity over India’s policy on online betting
News: Karnataka had imposed a blanket prohibition on all online games. The order was stayed by the Madras High Court judgment. Similarly, some states have imposed a complete ban while others have made restrictive amendments to existing laws governing online gambling. Read here: Gaming and banning: On ban on online games What is the present legal framework… Continue reading The case for clarity over India’s policy on online betting
India has still to get a good grip on road safety
News: Government aims to reduce 50% of road accidents by 2025 and to achieve zero deaths due to road accidents by 2030. Read here: 3rd High Level Global Conference on Road Safety What is the present condition of road safety in India? According to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, number of deaths in road accidents… Continue reading India has still to get a good grip on road safety
Moving on from India@75 dreams
News: NITI Aayog had released her ambitious report titled India@75 in 2017. It was a 200 page document which had a total of 1400 stakeholders. What were the targets of the document? It aimed to take GDP growth to 8% and to raise the taxes to GDP ratio to 22%. It also aimed to increase… Continue reading Moving on from India@75 dreams
Appeal to the appeals system
News: Recently the Allahabad High Court decided the criminal plea of Raj Kumar, which was filed approximately four decades ago. It acquitted the accused of all criminal charges after such a long time. Read here: Undertrials comprise 75% of India’s prison population The Supreme Court has frequently held that the right to speedy justice is a… Continue reading Appeal to the appeals system
