News: On Independence Day, Prime Minister handed the indigenously designed & developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), over to the Indian Air Force (IAF). It has been manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The issue here is, it’s confusing how the PM chose the LCH as an indigenous product, even while the cabinet has not given… Continue reading On indigenisation of defence products: Adding economy to defence
Tag: business standard
Annual Report on State Finances: The vital third tier
News: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its annual study of state finances. What are the findings of the report? -States’ gross fiscal deficit breached the 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) mark. -Combined revenue deficit of the state governments rose from 0.1% of GDP in 2018-19 to 2% of GDP in 2020-21 because… Continue reading Annual Report on State Finances: The vital third tier
Centre set to rejig privatisation process for non-strategic sectors
What is the News? The government of India is set to approve several changes in the privatisation process for companies in non-strategic sectors. Background Recently, the Government of India has released a new ‘Public Sector Enterprise Policy’. The policy classifies public sector commercial enterprises into strategic and non-strategic sectors. In the strategic sectors, there would… Continue reading Centre set to rejig privatisation process for non-strategic sectors
4G, 5G or 6G, all need wireless backhaul
News: The recent Parliamentary Committee report titled, “India’s Preparedness for 5G” states that while 59 countries had deployed 5G, India had not done so. In this regard, the Parliamentary Committee has highlighted the issues/challenges that are hampering India’s transition towards 5G technology. What are the issues/challenges highlighted by the Parliamentary Committee? – Inadequate spectrum, with… Continue reading 4G, 5G or 6G, all need wireless backhaul
On Union government accounts – Growth spending
News: Union government accounts for Q2 of 2021-22 were released. What does the report say? It showed that the government has a comparatively better fiscal position due to better revenue collection. Total revenue receipts were over 70% of the budget estimate. –Higher nominal growth, will also expand the economy and help contain the fiscal deficit… Continue reading On Union government accounts – Growth spending
The case for a new constitution order
News: There is deep unrest amongst various sections of our society about how our constitution is functioning. This was evident when farmers refused to accept laws framed by the legislature and declined to listen to Supreme Court when they were asked to present their case. What do constitutional amendments suggest? The USA has made only… Continue reading The case for a new constitution order
On legalising MSP: Supporting farmers
News: Farmers are now protesting for a legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) In terms of policy intervention, it is well accepted that incomes in the farm sector have fallen behind, compared to other sectors of the economy, and farmers need to be fairly compensated. But a legal price guarantee is not the solution. There… Continue reading On legalising MSP: Supporting farmers
How to regulate Cryptocurrencies?
News: Indian regulators can leverage the simple money management approach towards regulating Cryptocurrencies. The task of financial-economic policy is to address market failure, i.e. the four problems of – systemic risk, resolution, prudential regulation, and consumer protection. Does cryptocurrency merit financial regulation in India? The role for financial regulation in any situation can be analysed… Continue reading How to regulate Cryptocurrencies?
Stable banking – On Banking reforms
News: The RBI last week announced that it had accepted 21 of the 33 recommendations of the internal working group set up to examine the ownership guidelines and corporate structure in private sector banks. One of the key recommendations made by the internal working group was that industrial houses be permitted to promote banks after… Continue reading Stable banking – On Banking reforms
