FASHIONING THE FRAMEWORK OF A NEW INDIA
Why in news? The Indian economy is going through a severe crisis: a slowdown as well as a structural crisis. In the words of the former Chief Economic Adviser, Arvind Subramanian, it is headed towards the ICU. Almost all sectors of the economy are in decline: the rate of growth of the national GDP has […]
PURIFYING WATER: ON DRAFT NOTIFICATION ON RO SYSTEMS
The Environment Ministry’s draft notification to regulate the use of membrane-based water purification systems primarily concerns the manufacturers of reverse osmosis (RO) water filters but effectively bars domestic users from installing RO systems The association of water filter manufacturers challenged this order and the litigation led to this pan-India notification, where the intent is to conserve water […]
A NUTRITION RICH INDIA CAN DO MORE, AND DO IT BETTER
Context: The wasting of millions of young children, owing to malnutrition, is a key imbalance Details: The next decade is going to be decisive to irrevocably rid ourselves of deficiencies One critical imbalance to eliminate is that of inequalities of opportunity Due to malnutrition- we are wasting of millions of our young children and the inability […]
NAVY TO THE RESCUE
Why in news? India sent an amphibious warship, INS Airavat, to Madagascar in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to help in rescue efforts after the island nation was hit by a cyclone. As part of Operation Vanilla, the Navy delivered clothing, food and medicines, and also provided diving and communication assistance for evacuation More examples In March […]
CONTINUITY AND FISCAL FOLLOW THROUGH: 15TH FINANCE COMMISSION’S INTERNIM REPORT
Why in news? The appointment of the Fifteenth Finance Commission by the President of India under Article 280 of the Constitution was notified on November 27, 2017. It was required to submit the report by October 30, 2019 for five years for the period 2020-21 to 2024-25 Notifications were issued first, on July 27 extending […]
FALLING SHORT OF ASPIRATIONS
Why in news? Expectations from the Union Budget 2020 was that it would reverse the falling growth rate, reduce unemployment and rekindle the animal spirits needed to revive private investment. Bonds and startups The fundamental problem of infrastructure finance is the asset-liability mismatch which can be addressed only by developing a vibrant ‘corporate bond market. […]
NO ROOM FOR PANIC
Why in news? The Emergency Committee convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on January 30 has declared the novel coronavirus outbreak in China as a ‘public health emergency of international concern’, a development that comes after its meeting for the second time in just a week More about the virus? The virus, that has been infecting […]
COGNIZANT OF CONSTRAINTS
Why in news? he interim report of the 15th Finance Commission, tabled in Parliament on Saturday, has largely preserved the devolution mathematics of its predecessor, belying concerns of a sizeable cut in States’ share What has the commission said? The commission has recommended a one percentage point reduction in the vertical split of the divisible pool of […]
A JOLT TO NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY
Why in news? The Finance Minister announced the reform of power tariff policy — announced as part of the stimulus package following the pandemic. DISCOM troubles These proposals have to be seen in the context of a continuing centralisation of control over the sector whose main impact in the last 25 years has been to […]
HOW THE FINANCIAL PACKAGE IS THE SILVER LINING?
India’s Economic Position India as a resilient economy ranks 59th. For a country that is fifth largest in terms of GDP, this rank of being only the 59th most resilient Economy shows that we need to revisit our economic principles. Reasons for India’s Low Resilient Economy Ranking: Measure Taken I – Productivity MSMEs feared regulatory measures […]