SHOULD HEALTHCARE BE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT?
Introduction India has never spent more than 2% of its GDP on healthcare. Healthcare facilities across the country straddle different levels of efficiency and sufficiency. This Pandemic has opened the eyes of people to the importance of universal and robust public health services and the need for everybody to be covered by quality healthcare, or for […]
BUBONIC PLAGUE LEADING TO EPIDEMIC DISEASES ACT
Introduction The Centre amended the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, making attacks on healthcare workers a cognisable, non-bailable offence, on March 2020. The colonial-era Act empowers the state governments to take special measures and prescribe regulations in an epidemic, defines penalties for disobedience of these regulations, and provides for immunity for actions taken under the Act […]
A ROADMAP FOR MANUFACTURING
Current Situation Within the manufacturing sector MSMEs are the hardest hit, with many of them getting close to bankruptcy. At a global level, there is a very clear indication that companies that are doing business in China are now looking to consider other attractive investment destinations. India’s Opportunity Potentially, India can take the lead and […]
A WAR-LIKE STATE AND A BOND TO THE RESCUE
Introduction In the Budget before the pandemic, India projected a deficit of ₹7.96-lakh crore. The financial deficit number is set to grow by a wide margin due to revenue shrinkage from the coming depression that will most certainly be accompanied by a lack of appetite for disinvestment. In addition to the expenditure that was planned, […]
RESUSCITATING MULTILATERALISM WITH INDIA’S HELP
Introduction Even as the coronavirus pandemic unleashes its devastation across the globe, the great and the good have been quick to remind us of the value of multilateralism and the necessity to preserve it. India may be uniquely positioned to help resuscitate multilateralism. India can start playing a role United States facing multiple internal challenges […]
IT’S TIME FOR A VIRTUAL JUDICIARY
Why do we need a ‘Virtual Judiciary’ now? The pendency of cases in various courts in India is staggering- and the existing infrastructure may be grossly under-utilised. There are tribunals such as the Income Tax Tribunal that function only half-day most of the time. To make matters worse, most courts are closed for Christmas and […]
NHRC ISSUES NOTICES TO STATES
Why in news? The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Maharashtra government and the Madhya Pradesh government. Maharashtra was called up over the “inappropriate approach” adopted for the release of prisoners to avoid the SARS-CoV-2 infection and Madhya Pradesh was called up for the incident of a pregnant migrant giving birth […]
INDIA NON-COMMITTAL ON TALKS WITH TALIBAN
Why in news? India will “continue to be guided” by its friendship with the Afghan people, said the government, remaining non-committal on renewed questions of whether it would open direct talks with the Taliban. India’s Current Position on Afghanistan India has asserted that it has its own perspectives on Afghanistan, and the traditional and neighbourly […]
DIAMER-BHASHA DAM: CLAIMS OVER GILGIT-BALTISTAN
Why in news? India on 14th May 2020 opposed a move by Pakistan and China to build a major hydropower plant in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, saying it has shared its concerns regarding such projects with both countries. The Pakistan government on, 13th May 2020, signed a Rs 442-billion contract with a joint venture formed by China Power […]
NEPAL CAN LET INDIA USE LINK ROAD
Why in news? Nepal’s Prime Minister, on 13th May 2020, proposed a solution to the ongoing border tension saying that Nepal can allow India to use the link road to the Lipulekh Pass as part of an agreement, but will not surrender the Kalapani territory on which India has been carrying out construction. Background Nepal expressed […]