Tag: business standard

Govt likely to dilute draft e-commerce norms as consultation ends

What is the News? The Government of India may soon dilute some of the clauses of the Draft E-Commerce Rules as the Ministry has completed consultation with e-commerce companies, industry associations and other relevant stakeholders. What are the contentious Draft E-Commerce Rules that have been objected by the industry? Contentious E-Commerce Rules Objections to these… Continue reading Govt likely to dilute draft e-commerce norms as consultation ends

Agriculture needs a booster dose

News: The cure for the farm sector’s ills lies primarily in making agriculture remunerative. Why are farmers discontented and uneasy? Income from crop farming has become insufficient for the livelihood of an average farm family: The “Situation Assessment of Agricultural Households” survey, carried out by the National Sample Survey Organisation in 2018-19, clearly indicates that… Continue reading Agriculture needs a booster dose

Avoid policy adventurism

News: Goods and services tax (GST), one of the biggest reforms in recent decades, will complete five years in July next year. It was expected that after some initial implementation difficulties, the system would stabilise and boost revenue collection along with output. But that doesn’t seem to be happening. While revenue collection has improved, partly… Continue reading Avoid policy adventurism

Vaccination: Central control of health care

News: India, in its vaccination process, obtained complete control and power over the doctor-patient relationships. This impacted the vaccination process and also the response of the market. The state should have allowed greater decentralization as the vaccination needs of people are different. What are the different vaccination needs? Some people have higher public exposure, have… Continue reading Vaccination: Central control of health care

DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’

What is the News? Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of ‘Pralay’ Missile. What is a Pralay Missile? Pralay is a surface-to-surface conventional quasi-ballistic missile. The main aim of the missile is to defeat interceptor missiles. Note: Quasi missile trajectory is also ballistic but after a certain range… Continue reading DRDO conducts maiden launch of indigenously developed new generation surface-to-surface missile ‘Pralay’

On PSB privatisation: Avoidable delay

News: Although, the Finance Minister had announced in this year’s Budget that the government will take up the privatisation of two PSBs. Yet, it unlikely to happen this year. The Finance Minister, in a written reply to the Parliament, said that the Cabinet has not taken any decision in this regard. Moreover, the government will… Continue reading On PSB privatisation: Avoidable delay

On WTO Ruling against Indian Sugar industry – Lasting solution

News:  The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled against India’s sugar and sugarcane subsidies Though, the ruling is inconsequential for the country’s current policies concerning the Sugar industry. But it does provide an opportunity to address some of the chronic issues that often require the government to bail this industry out. Read more here: WTO panel’s… Continue reading On WTO Ruling against Indian Sugar industry – Lasting solution

On Plastic pollution

Relevance: Plastic pollution News: India’s track record in managing plastic pollution compares poorly with that of many other countries. The latest global Plastic Management Index, ranks India 20th among 25 major plastic-producing nations. What are the reasons? Lack of infrastructure: According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s estimates, India produces 3.5 million tonnes of plastic… Continue reading On Plastic pollution