Synopsis: Instead of going forward with the ‘urban-MGNREGA’, the government needs to focus on coming up with new ideas to alleviate the condition of the urban poor. Introduction Recent data from both the private and public sector has revealed that there is considerable distress within India’s labour force. This distress has manifested in an increase… Continue reading Urban safety net: On urban-MGNREGA
Tag: gs paper 3
Criticism of the IBC’s recovery record is unwarranted
Synopsis: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which was promoted as a panacea to the problem of bad loans, has been attacked as being ineffective at best and counterproductive at worst. It requires a more nuanced debate. Introduction In recent months, a landmark economic reform of the last decade has come under criticism from various… Continue reading Criticism of the IBC’s recovery record is unwarranted
BRICS: 2021 vs 2013: About Taper Tantrum and Economy of BRICS nations
Synopsis: The BRICS is better equipped to handle financial turbulence. Now, the focus must be on growth. Introduction: For two years, the focus of the BRICS has largely been on the economic impact of Covid. The BRICS nations are also concerned about when the US Fed will begin to taper its asset purchases again. Read… Continue reading BRICS: 2021 vs 2013: About Taper Tantrum and Economy of BRICS nations
Cleaning the Yamuna a story of missed deadlines
Synopsis: The Yamuna, as it passes through Delhi, becomes extremely polluted. Immediate steps are needed to check this sorry state of the river. News: Recently, the draft NCR Regional Plan-2041 was prepared by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB). It has fixed 2026 as the new deadline to ensure ‘zero discharge of untreated sewage… Continue reading Cleaning the Yamuna a story of missed deadlines
Organic farming should never be turned into an article of faith
Synopsis: Policies that respect the farmer’s economic freedom offer the best route to sustainable agriculture. Introduction Recently, the Srilankan government imposed a state of emergency in Sri Lanka after its mismanaged response to the foreign exchange crisis cascaded into food shortages. The Sri Lankan government had imposed a range of import controls earlier this year.… Continue reading Organic farming should never be turned into an article of faith
Winners and losers in shipping crisis
Synopsis: Challenges faced by exporters due to steep rise in ocean freight rates and congestion in various ports of the world. Introduction There has been a steep rise in ocean freight rates and congestion in various ports of the world. Indian exporters have complained of increase in freight rates by 300% to 1000% for various… Continue reading Winners and losers in shipping crisis
A step backward: On unemployment in India
Synopsis: The periodic labour force survey (PLFS) indicates that India, far from modernising and formalising its economy, seems to be moving backwards in terms of the employment available. Introduction Recent PLF survey has stated that unemployment rate has declined by a percentage point to 4.8 per cent in 2019-20. The previous number, in the first… Continue reading A step backward: On unemployment in India
There’s a major new risk in town and it’s called crypto
Synopsis: Retail investors are the ones who’ll most likely suffer in the high-yield, high-risk Crypto market. Government should come up with regulations before its too late. Introduction Crypto products are being mass marketed in India without the oversight needed for investor safety. The crypto marketing campaigns have now reached even tier-II and tier-III cities. How… Continue reading There’s a major new risk in town and it’s called crypto
Green-unready: On funding high-impact climate solutions
Synopsis: Fighting climate crisis needs high impact solutions led by entrepreneurs and start-ups. Hence, funding assumes critical importance. Introduction Addressing climate change requires a focus on reducing emissions and increasing carbon sinks. To reduce emissions, innovative solutions that are climate-ready and can be adopted at scale are the need of the hour. Entrepreneurship can accelerate… Continue reading Green-unready: On funding high-impact climate solutions
How the world — and India — changed in the 20 years after 9/11
Synopsis: After the 9/11 attacks, geopolitics changed dramatically. Even democratic nation-states underwent a change to respond to non-state actors. Introduction It was September 11, 2001, when planes struck the twin towers of the USA. The attack on the superpower by non-state actors highlighted the new threats that states were forced to deal with in the… Continue reading How the world — and India — changed in the 20 years after 9/11
