Synopsis: Agriculture and climate change are too important at present. So, research should take centre stage and Agriculture has to be left only to generalist bureaucrats, economists and activists. Introduction Recently, the Prime Minister has launched 35 different crop varieties with special traits. These Crop Varieties have been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural… Continue reading Challenges like climate change call for farm research to take centre stage, just like during the Green Revolution
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We require a more inclusive financial inclusion index
Synopsis: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) unveiled its newly conceptualized Financial Inclusion Index to “capture the extent of financial inclusion across the country”. For meaningful financial inclusion, we must have meaningful metrics in the public domain. Introduction RBI recently announced the formation of a composite Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) to capture the extent… Continue reading We require a more inclusive financial inclusion index
A lesson from China on gig workers’ rights
Synopsis: Recently, the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court demanding that the Union government provide assistance to workers affected by the pandemic. Introduction The petition has asked for ‘gig workers’ and ‘platform workers’ to be declared as ‘unorganised workers’ so they come under the purview of… Continue reading A lesson from China on gig workers’ rights
Ten months on, what lessons have we learnt from the farmers’ movement?
Synopsis: Farmer movement strengthened a new coalition of different interest groups and challenged the hegemony of agri-business. Introduction The article highlights the nature of ongoing farmer protests which was held against the three farm acts passed by the government. It dismisses the Marxian Maxism view which discussed the capacity of mobilization. Farmer movements instead combined… Continue reading Ten months on, what lessons have we learnt from the farmers’ movement?
The IT Rules fail the test of constitutionality
Synopsis: In this article, we will analyze the IT Rules 2021. How it poses danger to the freedom of speech and expression. We will discuss the various orders passed by the High Courts. Introduction Recently, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 were notified on February 25. Today, there are more than… Continue reading The IT Rules fail the test of constitutionality
The big bank idea
Synopsis: India needs more efficient financial entities. Amalgamation of PSBs to create bigger banks, is not the ideal way forward. Introduction Recently, Finance Minister, said that India needed four or five banks of State Bank of India’s (SBI’s) size to serve the growing and changing needs in the post-pandemic world. The minister further argued that… Continue reading The big bank idea
Inside India’s asset monetization gambit
Synopsis: The recently rolled out NMP project, though has the right intent, but is fraught with challenges. A look at some of them. What are some issues with the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) project? While the Niti Aayog has listed assets worth ₹6 trillion for the NMP, by its own estimate, it can only raise about ₹3.4… Continue reading Inside India’s asset monetization gambit
El Salvador’s crypto foray offers a cautionary tale for other countries
Synopsis: The tiny Central American nation of El Salvador has embarked on an interesting experiment by recognizing bitcoin as legal tender. This is proving painful for many of its citizens, but it’s a useful “pilot” project for larger economies that are contemplating about this new asset class. Introduction El Salvador has a population of 6.5 million and… Continue reading El Salvador’s crypto foray offers a cautionary tale for other countries
The war for digital talent: India can emerge as a global hub for it
Synopsis: Tech skills are in short supply globally. The article lists five measures that we should take that will help India lead efforts to close the gap. Introduction The pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of enterprises, creating enormous opportunities for all organizations. This sudden acceleration in demand has led to a war for digital… Continue reading The war for digital talent: India can emerge as a global hub for it
Nature-based, people-centred solutions for water
Synopsis: Suggestion and reforms mandated by the draft New National Water Policy. Introduction Since Independence, water policy in India has focused primarily on construction of large dams and extraction of groundwater. However, the new National Water Policy (NWP), drafted for the first time by a committee of independent experts, points out the limits in further… Continue reading Nature-based, people-centred solutions for water
