Context: Over the past four years, 137 countries have been engaged with the OECD. It is related to the ongoing discussion and proposal to find a solution to the tax challenges arising from digitalisation. What are the tax challenges in the age of digitization? In a digital economy, the firms operate seamlessly across borders. Therefore,… Continue reading Addressing the digital tax challenge
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Persistent inflation likely to threaten Indian Food Security
News: Recently, food Inflation has become a global phenomenon, with several countries going through spells of high inflation. Those afflicted include major developed countries such as US, UK and parts of Europe, and the developing countries such as India, Brazil, and Mexico. Contents1 What is the situation wrt inflation? 2 What is the likely impact of… Continue reading Persistent inflation likely to threaten Indian Food Security
On Digital Banking Units (DBUs): Digital delivery
Context: The Union finance minister recently made a declaration at the Atlantic Council think tank that the government is planning to set up as many as 75 digital-only banks or non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Digital Banking Units (DBUs) could transform access to financial services in remote areas where the physical delivery of such services is… Continue reading On Digital Banking Units (DBUs): Digital delivery
Government needs to factor in that both production and procurement are likely to be below expectations
Context: India isn’t going to harvest a bumper wheat crop this time. What is the situation wrt wheat production and procurement this year? The Agriculture ministry made an all-time high output estimate of 111.32 million tonnes (mt) in mid-February, when the crop looked good, thanks to surplus rains and an extended winter. Most field reports… Continue reading Government needs to factor in that both production and procurement are likely to be below expectations
When the stars came out
News: Recently, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched on 25 Dec 21. It was a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency and involved many universities, organisations, and companies across 14 countries. It is to be administered by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STSI). The project proved that… Continue reading When the stars came out
Don’t rush into export ‘opportunity’ presented by Russia-Ukraine conflict
News: Recently, the Russia-Ukraine clash and the resultant sanctions have pushed India to face a strong headwind to growth and Indian exports. This is due to surge in energy costs, elevated geopolitical uncertainty. However, the clash has come up with a number of opportunities which require deep analysis. What are the opportunities? India gets an… Continue reading Don’t rush into export ‘opportunity’ presented by Russia-Ukraine conflict
Towards a peaceful, stable Northeast
News: Recently, the Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya signed an agreement to resolve the five-decade-old border dispute. Simultaneously, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to reduce the disturbed areas in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur after decades declared under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). What is the strategic plan for the… Continue reading Towards a peaceful, stable Northeast
Too Many Dollars In Reserve?
News: Recently, the sanctions imposed by the west following the Russia-Ukraine conflict have triggered discussions on how other countries would manage their foreign currency (FX) reserves, which are used as an insurance against economic shocks. Contents1 How countries accumulate Forex? 2 History of forex reserves3 What are the issues with Foreign Currency Reserves? 4 What are other… Continue reading Too Many Dollars In Reserve?
Time to set price distortions right
Context: Since 1991, India has undergone economic liberalisation, openness to international trade and investment, resulting into an open free market economy in India. The government’s major priority since then has always been to improve the ease of doing business. However, it has failed to improve the cost of doing business, which been very high due… Continue reading Time to set price distortions right
The rooftop eclipse on India’s solar ambitions
Context: In 2015, the Govt set a target of 100 GW (gigawatt) of solar energy capacity by 2022. Of the 100 GW, 60 GW was to come from utility-scale solar plants, which stood at 41.7 GW, or 70% of the target, by 2021. The rest was to come from solar rooftop, which has managed only… Continue reading The rooftop eclipse on India’s solar ambitions
