Category Policy Update

Clearing the Air: India’s National Clean Air Programme and the Path Forward

The National Clean Air Programme is a pollution-control initiative that was started by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2019 with the goal of reducing the concentration of coarse (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres, or PM10) and fine (particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, or PM2.5) particles by at least 20% over the course of the following five years, using 2017 as the baseline year for comparison.

Jan Vishwas Bill: 2022

The Jan Vishwas bill was recently passed and made into Law. It claimed to promote trust-based governance, ease of living and business, and enhancement of individual liberty. It attempts to do so by decriminalization of various offenses, periodic increase in penalties, and creation of new adjudicating officers overseeing penalties. As the Bill has recently been passed, we do not have empirical evidence of the policies. While the bill claim to achieve a lot, it isn’t entirely clear whether it is up to the challenge. There are also certain interesting changes made by the Jan Vishwas Bill, which may not entirely come under the ethos of the Bill. A critical analysis of the Bill, with arguments and evidence from various sources will helps us understand it better, and point out any possible concerns and flaws in the Bill.

Shaping Spaces and Policies for Architecture Professionals: Public Policy Careers in India for the Youth

In a rapidly urbanizing world, the intersection of planning, architecture, and public policy holds the key to creating sustainable, inclusive, and well-designed cities. For young professionals in planning and architecture, a career in public policy offers a unique opportunity to shape urban landscapes, influence development policies, and contribute to creating livable environments for all. In a country like India, where urbanization is a pressing challenge, the role of planning and architecture experts in policy formulation is paramount. This article delves into the diverse career pathways available for young professionals in planning and architecture in India who aspire to contribute to public policy. It also highlights the role of IMPRI (Impact and Policy Research Institute) online courses in equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to excel in this transformative field.

From Lunar Triumph to Enlightened Minds: A Call to Revise GST on Education & Training Services for Scientific Advancement

In the global quest for excellence, India's strides in scientific and technological advancements have drawn international attention. As the nation strives to ascend to new heights, fostering scientific temper and knowledge acumen becomes paramount. A significant leap towards this goal lies in the rationalization of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate on education and training services, with a special focus on scientific and technological education. The current rate of 18% should be revisited and reduced to 5%, facilitating broader knowledge dissemination and innovation across the country.

Carbon tax- a genuine concern for climate or just a way to fight back?

The most important issue of our day is climate change, and this is a pivotal period. The effects of  climate change are unparalleled in magnitude, ranging from shifting climates that endanger food  production to increasing sea levels that increase the likelihood of catastrophic flooding. Without  immediate action now, future adaptation to these effects will be more challenging and cost prohibitive. 

Off-Budget Borrowing: What it is?

The relevance of understanding the fiscal position of India and its states is always complex as well as interestingly pertinent. Here we will have a closer look at the concept of Off-budget borrowing and its correlated effects on the public finance. The policy insight here mainly discusses about the key idea of extra budget borrowings which is not really discussed across the economic literature though there is a rising relevance in the Indian public finance. We also discuss why government go for the off-budget borrowings from a fundamental axis by looking at some of the examples and case studies in Indian economy with a specific example of the state of Kerala. It also sheds some light on questions like why extra borrowing could be a problem and, if it becomes a threat, what is the generic way out?

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