News: According to media reports, investment banks and other likely investors have recently asked the government to fully withdraw the Centre’s share from PSBs for facilitating a better disinvestment process and value discovery. This raised debate on the privatization of state-owned banks once again. Must read: Privatization of PSBs – Explained, Pointwise What are the… Continue reading Full privatization of PSBs: Our bank privatization agenda demands clarity
Tag: Live mint
India’s economic constraints and an energy holdback to be eased
News: The Indian economy is under pressure due to high global oil prices. In the current fiscal year, India may witness a balance of payments deficit. However, at present, the problem of deficit can be tackled with large buffer of foreign exchange reserves with the Indian central bank. What are the issues ahead? 1) High… Continue reading India’s economic constraints and an energy holdback to be eased
Go beyond supply curbs to squeeze plastic waste
News: India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is set to prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution and sale of single-use items w.e.f. 1 July, 2022. What are the problems with plastic? The plastic waste disposal has led to large-scale invasion in the natural environment. The entire ecosystems are at threat of being choked by the… Continue reading Go beyond supply curbs to squeeze plastic waste
Sedition needs a clear definition for it to be retained in law books
News: India is often referred to as the world’s largest democracy. However, even a mild form of constructive criticism could interpretatively fall within the penal ambit of Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code. What is Sedition Law? Must read: Sedition Law in India (Section 124A IPC) – Explained, pointwise About the history of Section… Continue reading Sedition needs a clear definition for it to be retained in law books
What’ll help us come to terms with India’s past
News: Many state boards and NCERT are making changes to the social science textbooks, specifically history books. For example; NCERT) has proposed sweeping changes to social science textbooks for Classes VI to IX. Read More – Objections to rewriting of the history textbooks What are the issues with making changes to the social sciences? History… Continue reading What’ll help us come to terms with India’s past
Captive Private Networks: Telcos seek level playing field with captive network operators
What is the News? The government of India has announced that it has reserved a portion of airwaves for Captive Private Networks. What are Captive Private Networks? Captive Private Networks are cellular networks built specifically for individual enterprises. These networks are often deployed at a single unit, for example, a factory. They can also be… Continue reading Captive Private Networks: Telcos seek level playing field with captive network operators
The WTO restores faith in convergence of views
News: The WTO deal in Geneva confirms that it is still possible for the world’s countries to achieve a modest consensus. India has played a worthy role, even if its gains are far from dramatic. What were the difficult circumstances prevailing before the WTO’s 12th ministerial? That a deal went through was victory in itself.… Continue reading The WTO restores faith in convergence of views
How can Agnipath be made more attractive? Recommendations from 2 former army leaders
News: Recently, the government of India introduced a new recruitment scheme for the armed forces, Agnipath. Violent protests erupted in parts of India ever since the launch of the scheme. Must read: Cabinet clears Agnipath Scheme What are the advantages of the Agnipath Scheme? a) Lower the age profile in the units, b) Create a more empowered… Continue reading How can Agnipath be made more attractive? Recommendations from 2 former army leaders
Time to end systemic misogyny reflected in the gender pay gap
News: Prevailing gender pay gap in developed and developing economies What is the situation wrt gender pay inequity? In a pre-pandemic world, UN Women stated that “women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men“, resulting in lifelong income inequality. An International Labour Organization policy brief in July 2021 drew attention to the… Continue reading Time to end systemic misogyny reflected in the gender pay gap
India’s fishing subsidy win at WTO the start of a long fight
What is the News? At the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, India was successful in defending the rights of developing countries to subsidize their fisheries. What have the WTO members agreed regarding the Fishing Subsidy? WTO members agreed on eliminating subsidies to those engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The only exception for continuing subsidies… Continue reading India’s fishing subsidy win at WTO the start of a long fight
