Insights, a blog published by IMPRI.
Policy UpdateMeyhar Kaur Walia Background The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme was introduced in August 1998 to provide term loans for the agricultural needs of farmers. The issuance of KCCs is based on farmers’ land holdings to ensure uniform adoption…
Tonnage tax schemes, a unique form of taxation primarily found in the maritime industry, provide shipowners and operators with an alternative to traditional corporate taxation. Instead of taxing profits, these schemes assess taxes based on a fixed rate per net ton of a vessel. This approach, unique to the maritime sector, aims to establish a more predictable and stable taxation structure, thereby promoting investment and competitiveness.
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) serves as the cornerstone of India's economic framework, fostering entrepreneurship, employment generation, and industrial growth. The MSME sector is often regarded as the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing nearly 30% to the country’s GDP, 45% of total exports, and providing livelihoods to over 110 million people.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 was a landmark reform that institutionalized gender representation by reserving one-third (33%) of seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). This affirmative action policy significantly increased women’s political participation, enabling them to take on leadership roles as sarpanches (village heads) and panchayat members, thereby shaping governance at the grassroots level (Buch, 2010).
Mahashweta Mukherjee In India, where over 62 million tons of municipal waste is generated annually, a silent workforce toils to keep our cities clean. These are the informal waste workers—men and women who painstakingly collect, segregate, and recycle waste. Among…
Policy UpdateR Sonali Devi “Trade without borders is a vision of progress; trade with efficiency is the reality of opportunity.” – Anonymous I. Introduction For several decades, traders delivering products across borders have been constrained by regulatory obstacles and “paperwork.”…
India’s energy sector has witnessed rapid growth, driven by ambitious policies aimed at sustainability, energy security, and economic development. However, achieving a just energy transition requires addressing gender disparities in energy access, workforce participation, and benefits distribution. While India has made significant strides in renewable energy expansion and electrification, the gendered impact of these transitions remains an area requiring greater focus.