News: The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was recently held at Abidjan. It called upon nations to invest in restoring degraded land for future prosperity, and urged the 196 participating nations to reclaim 1 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030. Contents1 What is the global… Continue reading Combating desertification
Tag: business standard
The ESG rating conundrum
News: In recent years, the environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments have emerged as a subject of great interest and significance across the globe. In this context, the SEBI had brought out a consultation paper on the need to regulate ESG rating providers. Increasingly, corporates are adopting higher ESG norms, and investors are preferring such investments.… Continue reading The ESG rating conundrum
Unexpected, but also unacceptable – Shocks due to Russia-Ukraine war
News: Russian invasion of Ukraine represents an unexpected and undesirable shock to global economies, including India’s Economy. Indian economy is facing some unexpected shocks due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Even the areas which were looking beneficial for India are turning out to be harmful. Impacts on Indian economy Both Russia and Ukraine have… Continue reading Unexpected, but also unacceptable – Shocks due to Russia-Ukraine war
Simulating gravity
News: Recently, the Orbital Assembly Corporation announced a plan to develop a space business park (hotel) which will be made operational by 2025. The hotel will be equipped with artificial gravity. Benefits of artificial gravity It would keep astronauts healthy on long trips, prevent loss of bone density and muscle atrophy. For example, in microgravity,… Continue reading Simulating gravity
Objection milords: SC’s GST Council ruling is an overreach and can be hugely disruptive. GoI should file review petition
News: A Supreme Court Bench in a judgment has said that the recommendations of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council were not binding on the Central and state governments. In the five years since GST has been rolled out, the GST Council has been the decision-making body on all key matters such as tax… Continue reading Objection milords: SC’s GST Council ruling is an overreach and can be hugely disruptive. GoI should file review petition
Central banks and the rule of law
Context: Two recent developments in India underline the need to inspire the rule of law in the functioning of central banks (CBs). What are these two recent developments and the reasons behind it? The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) normally makes policy announcements in line with a predictable schedule. But on May 4, it went off… Continue reading Central banks and the rule of law
Increasing the pace of India’s urbanisation
News: In recent years, the governments has started to realise that the cities are the drivers of economic growth. Contents1 Trends of Urbanization 2 India’s trends 3 State-wise trends in India 4 Merits of urbanisation 5 What are the issues? Trends of Urbanization In 1960, the global rate of urbanisation was at 33.61%. In 2003, more people were living… Continue reading Increasing the pace of India’s urbanisation
Reforming the NITI Aayog
Context: The justification for the establishment of the NITI Aayog has been more or less disproved by the way development policies are being formulated in the present Union government regime. Contents1 Why NITI Aayog was established?2 What kind of role has NITI Aayog played since it was established?3 What are the issues invovled?4 What are… Continue reading Reforming the NITI Aayog
Direct paddy sowing reaps benefits
News: Recently, the Haryana government has announced a higher incentive of ₹ 10,000 per hectare for the direct planting of rice. What are the issues in present rice cropping practice? At present, rice growers generally use much more water than the crop actually needs. Around 40-45% of the water used for irrigation goes to paddy… Continue reading Direct paddy sowing reaps benefits
Root cause analysis for the power crisis
Context: The root cause of the present electricity crisis in India is said to be the demand surge due to heat waves. However, it is not the case with other products where the private sector is involved. For example, the surge in the ice-cream demand is higher compared to electricity in summers. However, no one… Continue reading Root cause analysis for the power crisis
