Source: The Hindu What is the News? Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed and completed black topping of the world’s highest motorable road at Umling La Pass in Eastern Ladakh. The road was built under the ‘Project Himank’. About Project Himank: Project Himank is a project of the Border Roads Organisation(BRO) in the Ladakh region… Continue reading Black topping of world’s highest motorable road near LAC completed
50% funds allotted for ongoing MPLADS projects lapse
Source: The Hindu What is the News? The Standing Committee on Finance has pointed out the problems under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme(MPLADS). Standing Committee on Finance on MPLADS: Half of the funds allotted for completing the ongoing MPLADS projects in 2020-21 simply lapsed. The resultant funding crunch would have hit several… Continue reading 50% funds allotted for ongoing MPLADS projects lapse
Climate based protectionism: Green Public Procurement can incentivise public sector to eliminate polluting tech
Source: Down to Earth Relevance: Tackling Climate Change Through Innovative Methodologies Synopsis: In June 2021, the European Parliament signed the first dedicated Climate Law. There are some problematic or protectionist provisions in the law, but it is still considered as a step in the right direction to tackle the issue of climate change. Till now… Continue reading Climate based protectionism: Green Public Procurement can incentivise public sector to eliminate polluting tech
Arbitration Awards and The Public Interest
Source: Business standard Relevance: Way forward for India in the Cairns Energy case Synopsis: Recently, a court in Paris allowed Cairn Energy to freeze assets of Government of India in Paris in a tax dispute. Similar developments are possible in the US from actions by Cairn and Devas Multimedia. Thus, an objective, analytical approach to pursuing… Continue reading Arbitration Awards and The Public Interest
Cabinet approves continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts for further 2 years
Source: PIB What is the News? The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of 1023 Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) including 389 exclusive POCSO courts as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) till March 31, 2023. Background: Incidents of rape and gang rape of minor girls below the age of twelve and similar heinous crimes against… Continue reading Cabinet approves continuation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts for further 2 years
Tesla is unlikely to launch its vehicles in India anytime soon
Source: Live Mint Relevance: Electric vehicles are necessary for pollution control and import substitution. Synopsis: India needs to ease its restrictive policies towards the import of electric vehicles. Introduction Last month, Elon Musk complain about India’s restrictive policies for the import of electric vehicles. India’s restrictive policies are aimed at the Make in India campaign for… Continue reading Tesla is unlikely to launch its vehicles in India anytime soon
A grand tax bargain in danger of coming apart
Source: The Hindu Relevance: Issues with GST regime Synopsis: A version 2.0 of GST may have to be designed sooner rather than later. Issues existing with GST Non-expanding tax base: The tax base of GST does not appear to be expanding. The Tax to Gross value addition (GVA) is only about 5% to 6.5% though… Continue reading A grand tax bargain in danger of coming apart
Pegasus spyware issue – Explained, pointwise
Contents1 Introduction2 What is Pegasus?3 How Pegasus is different this time?4 How does Pegasus infiltrate devices?5 Implications of Pegasus spyware issue6 Challenges7 Suggestions/Measures8 Way forward Introduction Recently, a global collaborative investigative effort, titled the Pegasus project, revealed that Israeli company NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware targeted over 300 mobile phone numbers in India. As per reports, at least… Continue reading Pegasus spyware issue – Explained, pointwise
Respect regulations
Source: Business Standard Relevance: Changes to minimum public shareholding norms and consequent impact Synopsis: The government’s move to exempt any public sector listed company from complying with the minimum public shareholding norm is undesirable and inappropriate. Background Exempting select PSUs from minimum free float norm reverses govt stance Issues with the latest move Blocked an… Continue reading Respect regulations
Why valley is still distant, With end of Articles 370 and 35(A), there’s peace, hope and democracy in J&K
Source: The Indian Express (Article 1 and Article 2) Relevance: This article explains the situation of J&K ever since the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A Contents1 Synopsis:2 The government argued that:3 Many of these have failed to materialize because:4 Way Forward Synopsis: With the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, it is… Continue reading Why valley is still distant, With end of Articles 370 and 35(A), there’s peace, hope and democracy in J&K
