THE FACE OF EXPLOITATION: WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND DIGNITY
Why in news? As thousands of migrant workers walk across India in a desperate attempt to reunite with their families, States are competing with one another to provide greater relaxation of labour laws to appear ‘industry friendly’. U.P. Government has cleared an ordinance exempting businesses and industries from labour laws, except for a handful, for […]
RESPONDING TO COVID-19 AT THE GRASSROOTS
Introduction Line Mahatma Gandhi envisioned that a free India would rest on a foundation of gram panchayats, village republics that governed locally and epitomised Swaraj in practice. Locally relevant initiatives and issues The 73rd Constitutional Amendment mandates the constitution of panchayats at the district, intermediate and village levels as devolved institutions of self-government and provides […]
THE TRENDS SHAPING THE POST COVID-19 WORLD
Asia ascending, U.S. waning The first trend which became clear in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis is the rise of Asia. The 2008 financial crisis showed the resilience of the Asian economies, and even today, economic forecasts indicate that out of the G-20 countries, only China and India are likely to register […]
HOW CAN INTER-STATE WORKERS BE PROTECTED?
Why in news? On Friday, May 8, 16 migrant labourers who were trying to return to Madhya Pradesh, their home State, on foot were killed when a goods train ran over them between Jalna and Aurangabad districts in Maharashtra. Hundreds of inter-state workers have been seen trying to walk home to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West […]
DIFFERENCE: PM CARES FUND AND PM’S NATIONAL RELIEF FUND
Focus: GS-II Social Justice Why in news? On March 28 2020, the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, or the PM CARES Fund, was set up to tackle distress situations such as that posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Who may contribute to the fund? The fund receives voluntary contributions from individuals […]
LOCKDOWN AIR: LESS NO2, SAME PM 2.5, URBAN OZONE
Introduction While traffic pollution has been falling, the lockdown may be leading to the generation of a dangerous pollutant, urban ozone, which can cause airway inflammation in humans. Results of a research done in UK: Nitrogen oxides The level of decline ranges from 20% to 80%. Levels of nitrogen oxides fall less in rural areas […]
A NEW CONCERN: EARLY LOCUSTS
Why in news? On April 11-12, scientists at the Locust Warning Organisation (LWO) observed groups of desert locusts — the same destructive migratory pests currently devouring acres of maize, sorghum and wheat crops in East Africa. While locusts are seen in India as well, that is normally only during July-October and mostly as solitary insects […]
CONTEMPT FOR LABOUR: ON DILUTION OF LABOUR LAWS
Introduction It is amoral and perverse on the part of some States to address this need, for revival of business and economic activity, by granting sweeping exemptions from legal provisions aimed at protecting labourers and employees in factories, industries and other establishments. What actions have states taken? Madhya Pradesh will be allowing units to be […]
RAGHURAM RAJAN EXPLAINS: HOW BEST TO STIMULATE ECONOMY?
Introduction To fund a bigger public spending programme, the government can either ask the RBI to print more money (monetise the deficit) or it can issue new bonds to be subscribed by the banks (raise money through borrowing). The Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan explained how the two paths work and why ‘monetisation’ is a […]
SLOWER GROWTH AND A TIGHTER FISCAL
Introduction Various institutions have assessed India’s growth prospects for 2020-21 ranging from 0.8% (Fitch) to 4.0% (Asian Development Bank). This wide range indicates the extent of uncertainty and tentative nature of these forecasts. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected India’s growth at 1.9%, China’s at 1.2%, and the global growth at (-) 3.0%. The […]