News: Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that the decisions taken by the GST Council are merely recommendations with “persuasive value” and are not binding. The ruling has opened up serious questions on the stability and certainty of the structure and operation of GST which is still evolving. Contents1 What has been the reaction to the… Continue reading Supreme Court’s ruling on GST deepens the churn in the tax regime
Tag: gs paper 3
Decolonising science in Indian education
Context: Education is central to the idea of modernity in independent India. In the Indian education system, a certain aspect of European modernity has lingered for a long time which has hampered the Indian intellectual discourse. The true spirit of education refers to “Shiksha vo hoti hai jisme baat se baat nikle” (education should produce… Continue reading Decolonising science in Indian education
Combating desertification
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
Let commercial vehicles take the lead in going electric
Context: India’s air quality has been diminishing on the back of urban development and higher e-commerce adoption, among other factors. The cost of this progress means some of our large Indian cities figure among the world’s most polluted. Citizens’ right to clean breathable air is a fundamental need and is a critical parameter in global… Continue reading Let commercial vehicles take the lead in going electric
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
Government must resist demands for banning exports
News: After the wheat ban, there is a possibility of a ban on exports of raw cotton. The author lists out reasons for not doing so. Why ban on exports of raw cotton will not be correct? First, from raw cotton to fabric making, there are various stages and processes in the textile industry. Raw… Continue reading Government must resist demands for banning exports
Time for us to work out a universal basic income
Context: India’s debate on the need and feasibility of a universal basic income (UBI) as an elementary safety net for all our citizens was revived again after the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister released a report on inequality. Regardless of divisions in opinion over the poverty levels in the country, inequality demands a… Continue reading Time for us to work out a universal basic income
Why GoI Can Resume Wheat Exports
News: As per the third advance estimate of crop production for the year2021-22, India has harvested a record foodgrain production, up by 3. 77 MMT over the preceding year. While the rice production is up compared to previous year, wheat production is a bit low. It has led to several negative effects on traders who… Continue reading Why GoI Can Resume Wheat Exports
States must follow Centre’s fuel tax cuts
News: Government has announced lowering excise duties on petrol and diesel as well as offering a subsidy for LPG cylinders. States must also reduce the taxes on oil. The combined impact of tax cuts will provide much-needed relief to stressed household budgets and small business balance sheets. Because unlike previous inflationary pressure, that took place… Continue reading States must follow Centre’s fuel tax cuts
Food security does not need this ‘surgical strike’
News: Recently, the Government of India announced a sudden ban on export of wheat when the government was looking out for ways for augmenting India’ wheat exports. Contents1 Two schools of through for ensuring food security in India2 About Indian Public Procurement System3 What are the issues with increasing India’s export?4 Other challenges5 The Way… Continue reading Food security does not need this ‘surgical strike’
