News: Recently, India and Australia established a free trade agreement (FTA) for both goods and services between the two nations. It is known as The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). Contents1 What are the World Trade Organisation rules on FTAs in goods? 2 What has been proposed in the India-Australia FTA? 3 What are the challenges? 4… Continue reading Oz Is Just the Start
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Measures to rejuvenate public-private partnerships
News: Recently, the New Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) and the National Infrastructure Pipeline were launched by the central government. As a result, Public-private partnership (PPP) models have come under the focus as various projects will be funded under PPP. What have been the Indian expereince with various PPP models? (A) Indian experience: Almost all Indian companies… Continue reading Measures to rejuvenate public-private partnerships
The carbon cost of data
News: Environmental scientists are beginning to worry about the harmful effects of data on climate. The impact is not exactly due to the data, but the servers, data farms and other hardware required for creating, storing and processing data for the increasingly digital life. Contents1 How the pace of generation of data has picked up?2… Continue reading The carbon cost of data
Back the greenback: Grumblings about dollar dominance aren’t new
Context: Western powers have slapped sanctions on Russia. These sanctions sting because of the US dollar’s dominance across the global economy and finance. Contents1 How important is dollar in present global trade?2 What are the other factors against the dollar dominated economy?3 Chinese renminbi as an alternative4 What does the future hold? How important is… Continue reading Back the greenback: Grumblings about dollar dominance aren’t new
Time to bid goodbye to AFSPA
News: Recently, the Home Ministry has decided to considerably reduce the number of “disturbed areas” under the AFSPA in three States. To fulfil that, the April 1st order significantly reduced disturbed areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. Though it is a welcome step, the government does not consider repealing the AFSPA. About AFSPA Read here:… Continue reading Time to bid goodbye to AFSPA
Making groundwater visible
News: The theme of this year’s World Water Day (March 22) was ‘Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible’. Benefits of groundwater: Groundwater plays an important role in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems, and climate change adaptation, as it: Reduces the risk of temporary water shortages especially in arid and semiarid regions. Has high storage… Continue reading Making groundwater visible
Renewable energy has a tariff problem. Here’s how to fix it
Context: India has stated its target of having a renewable generating capacity of 450-500 GW by 2030. Therefore, there is a need to create a proper environment and ensure adequate returns to invite fresh investments into renewable generation. In this regard, it is important to look at tariff structure for renewables. What are the two… Continue reading Renewable energy has a tariff problem. Here’s how to fix it
How the Delhi model for EV chargers is worthy of emulation
News: With advancements in technology, the governments across the world are focusing on the Electric Vehicles. Similarly, Delhi government has adopted a new model for development of public charging infrastructure. What have been the issues in the EV segment? There has been a slow pace in setting up large-scale public charging infrastructure or stations. Central… Continue reading How the Delhi model for EV chargers is worthy of emulation
Centre does well to withdraw AFSPA from many districts in the Northeast. It must carry on working in this direction
News: The main task before the Central govt, after the partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers (AFSPA) Act from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, is to slowly restore the primacy of the civilian administration in the areas still under AFSPA. It’s a process that needs great patience, negotiation and accommodation. Must Read: Explained: AFSPA… Continue reading Centre does well to withdraw AFSPA from many districts in the Northeast. It must carry on working in this direction
Testing times for PLI schemes: Covid-related delays put firms in pressure
News: The government had launched the PLI schemes for 15 sectors. However, various companies across IT hardware, telecom products and mobile devices have failed to achieve their investment target and meet their production targets. They missed the deadlines for the first year ended on March 31. What are the benefits of the PLI Scheme? Growth… Continue reading Testing times for PLI schemes: Covid-related delays put firms in pressure
