News: There has been friction between center and state over the lack of compensation cess. What is GST? It is a “consumption-based destination tax”, which means that the revenue will go to the state in which the goods/services are consumed. What are the steps that can be initiated by the state to cover the financial loss?… Continue reading A combative federalism
Tag: gs paper 3
A chance to support growth, fiscal consolidation
News: Recently, the National Statistical Office (NSO) released the first advance national accounts estimates for 2021-22. What are the growth prospects for India? IMF and OECD forecasts have indicated growth rates at 8.5% and 8.1%, respectively, for 2022-23. However, these are optimistic as the base effects characterizing 2021-22 are limited. However, India may expect real… Continue reading A chance to support growth, fiscal consolidation
Climate change for practical people
News: Due to lack of availability of data there is a reasonable chance that impact of climate change is not measured accurately and to confront the climate problem we need to think more strategically. What is current scenario of climate change? Climate scientists warn that an increase in the global average temperature of more than… Continue reading Climate change for practical people
Poverty, Wellbeing, Hunger: Where Do We Stand?
News: Recently, there have been comments that hunger in India has increased, based on the GHI 2021 report that showed a decline in India’s ranking to 101 from 95 in 2020. This article examines the question – how best to measure poverty? It also stresses that poverty based on consumption is still important and there… Continue reading Poverty, Wellbeing, Hunger: Where Do We Stand?
Can inequality be solved or is it a natural human state?
News: Recently, Oxfam revealed that India’s richest 10% had 45% of Indian wealth, while the bottom half had only 6%. This article says, even if inequality is a natural consequence, it is evil. There is no need to declare it as sacred. Also, money can never be the correct measure of inequality. Is inequality a… Continue reading Can inequality be solved or is it a natural human state?
Centre’s move to rank states on pace of green clearances will spark unhealthy competition, dilute regulation
News Central government has recently put forth a proposal to rank state environment impact assessment authorities (SEIAA) according to the speed at which they issue environmental clearances. What are the concerns regarding the recent step? It undermines the role of regulatory oversight in environmental protection, which is recognised in several Supreme Court verdicts as one of the key… Continue reading Centre’s move to rank states on pace of green clearances will spark unhealthy competition, dilute regulation
Why India is unwilling to discuss forests at the international fora
Contents1 News 2 Why India has not joined the Deforestation declaration? 3 Why are these official reasons are termed unjustifiable by some? 4 What has been this initiative? News India at UNFCCC(COP 26) declined to join Deforestation declaration, this has been followed by India declining joining several such international platforms related to climate change. Apprehensions have been raised that… Continue reading Why India is unwilling to discuss forests at the international fora
Negotiating pitfalls: Are there basic lacunae in India’s practices?
News: India’s tactics of negotiations has not worked the way China’s tactics have worked. Hence, India needs to prepare ground by negotiating better deals. What is China’s tactic in negotiations? First, it accepts some principle but do nothing in practice or make a commitment with no intention of honoring. Second, it tries to provoke a… Continue reading Negotiating pitfalls: Are there basic lacunae in India’s practices?
Why India needs a single agency to guard its borders
News: The unending threats to Indian borders and recent developments call for a comprehensive review of border management to ensure the all-weather security. What are the current developments in border areas? One, China is trying to take over territory. For example, Doklam and Galwan crisis. The recent China’s Land Border Law (LBL) will enhance its… Continue reading Why India needs a single agency to guard its borders
Environment Ministry’s plan to rank states draws ire
News Union Environment Ministry has recently brought out a proposal of ranking States on how quickly they could give environmental clearances to proposed infrastructure projects. Many environmentalists have objected to this step and also stated that it contravenes the basic principles of environmental regulation. What are State Environmental Impact Assessment Agencies (SEIAA) and What do they do? SEIAA consists of State officers… Continue reading Environment Ministry’s plan to rank states draws ire
