Topic– Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation and Agriculture What is stubble burning- Stubble burning is the practice of intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains, such as rice and wheat, have been harvested. Farmers resort to the practice due to the limited time they have between the harvesting of kharif paddy and sowing of the rabi wheat.… Continue reading Check stubble burning, monitor policy implementation
Karnataka Government objects to implementation of Kasturirangan Report
News – Karnataka Government has submitted its opposition to the Centre against the Kasturirangan Committee report as it can adversely affect the livelihood of people in the region. What are the important recommendations under the report? a)It proposes 37 percent of the total area of Western Ghat be declared as Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA). (Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are notified by the Ministry of Environment, forest and climate change,… Continue reading Karnataka Government objects to implementation of Kasturirangan Report
On fiscal deficit: The turn of the Centre
News: The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her 4th consecutive Budget in just about eight weeks from now. It is expected that Ms Sitharaman would achieve a 2.7 percentage point reduction in the deficit from 9.5% in 2020-21 to 6.8% in 2021-22. This steep reduction will provide a lot of flexibility in managing… Continue reading On fiscal deficit: The turn of the Centre
India’s labour market distress
News: Data from various employment surveys indicates that India’s growth model is in trouble. On what basis it is said that India’s growth model is in trouble? Labour participation has dropped: The recent data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), suggests that, the labour participation rate has slipped for consecutive months. As per… Continue reading India’s labour market distress
NFTs are overhyped, but useful for a creative economy
News: The hype around NFTs may be a gold rush, but it has made an important idea mainstream: Creators need to take back control from Big Tech. Are NFTs a speculative bubble? Couple of factors due to which some experts believe to be speculative bubbles: – Relation of NFTs to Cryptocurrencies, which are in itself… Continue reading NFTs are overhyped, but useful for a creative economy
How to regulate crypto, minus a crypto-specific law
News: Bringing a new legislation for Crypto regulation may not be necessary in India until Cryptocurrency transactions reach a widespread adoption. Till then, a more prudent approach would be to extend our current regulatory frameworks, along with the associated enforcement apparatus, to regulate cryptos as yet another class of assets. What are the challenges the… Continue reading How to regulate crypto, minus a crypto-specific law
Mediation Bill: Not getting the Act together
News: The Ministry of Law and Justice has placed the Draft Mediation Bill, 2021 in public domain seeking feedback and suggestions from all stakeholders. What is the significance of the bill? Firstly, it recognises that mediation has to be treated as a profession. This is a significant development compared to the previous mediated schemes. Secondly,… Continue reading Mediation Bill: Not getting the Act together
Surveillance as governance
News: Recently, Amnesty International raised concerns that extensive surveillance of Hyderabad is putting human rights at risk. How surveillance is carried out in Hyderabad? It largely follows a three-pronged approach. – Wide web of CCTV cameras: For example, CCTV coverage in two cities (Kala Pathar and Kishan Bagh) is 53.7% and 62.7% respectively according to… Continue reading Surveillance as governance
India-Russia summit recognised that each needs the other, and that the drift in bilateral ties needs to be arrested
News: Recently, 21st India – Russia Annual summit took place. The summit highlighted the “all-weather” partnership between India and Russia. Must read: Recent developments in India-Russia Relations – Explained, pointwise What are the challenges in India-Russia relations? 1. Despite considerable progress with vaccinations, both countries still face public health concerns and face challenges in controlling… Continue reading India-Russia summit recognised that each needs the other, and that the drift in bilateral ties needs to be arrested
About Swacch Bharat Mission 2.0: Being free of old waste
News: Main focus of Swacch Bharat Mission 2.0 is to work on solid waste management. About Swacch Bharat Mission 2.0 The mission aims to provide financial assistance to set up fresh waste processing facilities and bioremediation projects across all the ULBs. Financial assistance is limited to chosen large cities that have a population of over 5… Continue reading About Swacch Bharat Mission 2.0: Being free of old waste
