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
Tag: gs paper 3
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
Why wheat prices have shot up despite India’s huge reserves
Context: One side effect of Russia attacking Ukraine has been a rise in global wheat prices. Wheat importers are struggling. Significance of wheat The consumer price index (CPI), which measures retail inflation, has two entries for wheat, wheat/atta-PDS (public distribution system) and wheat/atta-other sources. This takes into account the wheat sold both through the PDS… Continue reading Why wheat prices have shot up despite India’s huge reserves
PLI scheme with a return for the government
News: The government’s ambitious PLI scheme aims to overcome the disadvantage of high costs in the country and to encourage production on a very large scale in some selected industries. The scheme aims to reduce costs per unit of output, and help not just the economy but the country more generally. However, there are concerns.… Continue reading PLI scheme with a return for the government
Upholding the right to repair
News: Recently, the US Federal Trade Commission directed manufacturers to remedy unfair anti-competitive practice. The manufacturers have to ensure that consumers can make repairs, either themselves or by a third-party agency. As a result, Apple announced that consumers will have the right to purchase spare components of their products. However, this momentum is not so… Continue reading Upholding the right to repair
The right price: on TRAI’s latest recommendations
News: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s latest recommendations on the auction of airwaves identified for 5G services, particularly the pricing of spectrum, have triggered disappointment within the industry. What are the concerns expressed by the telcos? Telecom services providers contend that the recommendations run counter to the spirit behind the relief-cum-reforms package unveiled by… Continue reading The right price: on TRAI’s latest recommendations
Cryptos and a CBDC are not the same thing
Context: Despite arguing against legitimising cryptos and calling them as Ponzi schemes, the RBI has announced that it will float a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). RBI is clearly worried over the increasing popularity of Cryptos among Indian masses. But, a CBDC will not solve the RBI’s concerns regarding Crypto since it can function as… Continue reading Cryptos and a CBDC are not the same thing
A six-point agenda for India to raise its trade competitiveness
Context: India recently signed trade deals with Australia and UAE. Many more are in pipeline. Such deals are important as exports lead to higher growth. In a white paper on ‘Building Competitiveness for Inclusive Growth’, CUTS International, Institute for Competitiveness and Institute for Studies in Industrial Development have outlined an action agenda for improving Indian… Continue reading A six-point agenda for India to raise its trade competitiveness
Focus on CPI inflation
News: In 2021 and 2022, the present inflation rate in developed markets is much higher (8.5% in the US). Therefore, the central banks of developed markets (DM) like the US Fed, or the European Central Bank, or the Bank of England — all of them have chosen inflation targeting. It has generated debate on the… Continue reading Focus on CPI inflation
Medicinal plants await good marketing
Context: Recently, the Ministry of AYUSH launched e-CHARAK, an electronic platform for interaction between various stakeholders in the medicinal plants sector. It will allow sale, purchase and sharing of material as well as know-how between different stakeholders. In this relation, medicinal plants sector has come under focus. The curative plants of significant commercial value are… Continue reading Medicinal plants await good marketing
