News: Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) froze assets of Amway India worth ₹758 crore. The federal agency issued a statement, alleging that the company was perpetrating a “scam” by running a pyramid “fraud” in the guise of direct-selling MLM network. The new members, it said, are not buying the products to use those, but to… Continue reading Amway a Ponzi scheme? ’Buyer beware’ won’t do
Tag: gs paper 3
Behind the curve on Metaverse
Context: Concept of Metaverse is promising immersive environments where we can do pretty much anything. Users will utilise avatars and gear like virtual/augmented reality helmets or glasses (more options will surely develop) to dive in. But whatever the global pace of development may be, India may well be behind the curve Must Read: What is… Continue reading Behind the curve on Metaverse
Addressing the digital tax challenge
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
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. What is the situation wrt inflation? The Wholesale price index (WPI) has been… 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. How countries accumulate Forex? A country running current account surpluses accumulate foreign assets over time. For example, China and Saudi… Continue reading Too Many Dollars In Reserve?
