News: India faced a wheat crisis in 2006. The present article lists out the reasons that caused it and lessons that can be learnt. The author is this article was appointed as the Secretary of Food and Public Distribution during that time. What was the situation in 2006 and the reasons behind it? – Centre… Continue reading Lessons for today from India’s 2006 wheat crisis
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The UN report that highlights India’s vulnerability to drought
News: Recently, the Droughts in Numbers, 2022 report was presented by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Contents1 What is the Drought in Numbers Report? 2 What is UNCCD’S COP15? 3 What are the findings of the report? 4 Other aspects What is the Drought in Numbers Report? The report is a collection of data on the… Continue reading The UN report that highlights India’s vulnerability to drought
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
How to tackle the inflation spiral
News: Recently, The World Economic Outlook, published by the IMF in April, expects global growth to be slower than the forecast made in January, with inflation on the rise. The global macroeconomic situation is showing signs of macro instability. The global debt has increased sharply during the pandemic, inflation is on the rise, and macroeconomic… Continue reading How to tackle the inflation spiral
Needed: An economic response plan for a green transition shock
News: India is facing severe heat waves in many parts of the country. This is a reminder that the risks from climate change are rising. What are the issues involved in transition towards a green economy? Around a fifth of Indian households have access to either air-conditioners or coolers in their home. Nearly half of… Continue reading Needed: An economic response plan for a green transition shock
Boon to ban: How the wheat export story changed in two months
News: On May 13, the government effectively banned the export of wheat. Why were wheat exports banned? On May 4, the government revised down its wheat production estimates from 111.32 million tonnes (MT) to 105 MT for the crop year ending June. – 18 MT of wheat were procured till May 14 of the ongoing… Continue reading Boon to ban: How the wheat export story changed in two months
Technological advancement often has a sting in its tail
Context: In his book Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari made the somewhat controversial statement that human beings have been domesticated by wheat. In other words, every science-driven improvement in agriculture has come at a price. How science has enabled humankind to overcome many of the challenges we face as a species? Having learnt farming or how… Continue reading Technological advancement often has a sting in its tail
Mundka fire is a symptom of all that ails the informal sector
News: Recently, a fire broke out at Delhi’s Mundka, with a death toll of 27 persons so far. A majority of the persons who died in the incidents were women workers in informal manufacturing units. Contents1 What issues have been exposed the fire incident in our urban areas?2 What is the nature of informal industrial units… Continue reading Mundka fire is a symptom of all that ails the informal sector
How to strengthen cyber security the right way
Context: On 28th April, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued “directions” under Section 70-B(6) of the IT Act 2000 relating to information security practices, procedure, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents. These directions have expanded the scope of obligations of the above requirements compared to the IT (The Indian Computer Emergency Response… Continue reading How to strengthen cyber security the right way
Digital markets must be defined well for competition regulation
Context: Digital markets operate differently than traditional markets. Hence, the rise of the digital sector has presented unique challenges for Indian regulatory authorities, including the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Further, several issues emerging from the growth of digital markets are being analysed by regulators in other countries simultaneously, resulting in a lack of guidance… Continue reading Digital markets must be defined well for competition regulation
