REIMAGINING OUR ECONOMIC CHOICES
Introduction to our choices The COVID-19 pandemic will reshape all our economic choices. Nations have made a crucial choice in recent weeks, choosing human life over economic growth. Governments including ours have mandated lockdowns to slow the pandemic, relieve the pressure on their hospitals and save lives. Economics is about choices, a study of ‘human […]
SACKING BY SUBTERFUGE: REMOVAL OF A.P.’S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL
Why in news? The legality of the removal of the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) is seriously in doubt. That it was the culmination of an open conflict between the Election Commissioner, and Chief Minister makes it a glaring instance of misuse of power. Background The State government got the Governor to issue an […]
WOMEN’S SAFETY DURING LOCKDOWN
Introduction to Domestic Violence during crisis It is well-documented that during a war, a natural disaster or a pandemic, women’s bodies bear the worse brunt of the crisis. Now, at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations recognises domestic violence against women as a “shadow pandemic”. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a huge […]
WTO EXPECTS GLOBAL GOODS TRADE VOLUME TO SLUMP BY AS MUCH AS 32%
Why in news? The WTO released its outlook for global trade last week – Projecting merchandise trade to plummet by anywhere between 13% and 32% in 2020. Details Economists at the WTO appear certain that the disruption and resultant blow to trade will in all likelihood be far worse than the slump brought on by […]
WANTED, A COLLECTIVE NATIONAL ENDEAVOUR
Some excerpts from the article on “What can be done?” We are all in it together and representatives of all political parties should work together to deal with what we are told is the severest crisis since Independence. The Centre must have the State Governments as equal partners while taking decisions. The most productive effort […]
EXPLAINED: DIRECT FARM-TO-KITCHEN DELIVERY PROVIDES RELIEF
Why in news? The disruption in supply chains as a result of the lockdown has spotlighted the relevance of a nearly two-decade-old initiative to reach fresh produce directly to consumers in Maharashtra, bypassing the mandis. The essential features of this alternative market channel — decentralisation and direct-to-home delivery — will remain valuable even after the […]
EXPLAINED: ARMED FORCES IN CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK BATTLE
Why in news? As the Army moves in to take over the COVID-19 quarantine facility at Narela in Delhi, the procedure for calling the armed forces to help the civil administration is in the spotlight. What is the procedure? The regulations permit civil authorities to requisition the Army for controlling law and order, maintaining essential […]
TEAM INDIA AND WINNING THE PANDEMIC BATTLE
Self-reliance is the way India has to chart its own strategy, whether it is in planning a staged release from the lockdown or in developing domestic capacity for medical equipment. There will be a need for scientific and economic cooperation with the rest of the world, but self-reliance is the rudder that must steer our […]
LIMITING TRANSMISSION IN HOTSPOTS WITH WIDER TRACING AND TESTING STRATEGY
Why in news? Even after the Health Ministry on March 28 acknowledged on its website that there was “limited community transmission”, India’s national taskforce for COVID-19 continues to deny it. Now, a paper in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, by ICMR and Health Ministry researchers, provides evidence of community transmission in 36 districts in […]
CENTRE MUST SPEND MORE, FOREGO TAX REVENUES
The Current Scenario As India nears the end of the lockdown period, the serious damage to the economy and livelihoods is beginning to make itself apparent. There is tremendous pressure from industry bodies to opt for a nuanced policy that will help economic activity to restart as they fear a collapse if activity is stopped […]