Ethics Through Current Development (31-03-2023)

  1. Chasing happiness READ MORE
  2. AI Ethics: Why You Should Care READ MORE




Today’s Important Articles for Geography (31-03-2023)

  1. Climate justice takes centrestage at UN, top European court in historic firsts READ MORE
  2. Climate impact: Study finds juvenile black rockfish fared better than expected in unusually high ocean temperatures READ MORE
  3. Shrinking glaciers: Lack of govt data surprising; urgent action needed READ MORE
  4. India’s heatwaves are testing the limits of human survival READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (31-03-2023)

  1. Vaikom, a satyagraha, and the fight for social justice READ MORE
  2. While India’s population is growing, women’s participation in its workforce is shrinking READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (31-03-2023)

  1. ‘Guilt by association’ is problematic. Review it READ MORE  
  2. How to tackle hate speech READ MORE
  3. Disqualification of Rahul legal, trust judiciary READ MORE
  4. Position on disqualification READ MORE



WSDP Bulletin (31-03-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

  1. Drugs for rare diseases get customs duty relief READ MORE  
  2. Spouses of H-1B visa holders can work in U.S., says judge READ MORE
  3. Ancestry records to shed light on India’s past READ MORE
  4. Scientists spot piezoelectric effect in liquids for the first time READ MORE
  5. Explained | What are the issues with the new Quality Control Orders for fibres?   READ MORE
  6. ISRO releases images of Earth captured by its EOS-06 satellite READ MORE
  7. More than 90% of the world’s salt marshes may soon succumb to sea level rise: Study READ MORE
  8. Rising Antarctic ice melt will dramatically slow global ocean flows, study says: Why this matters READ MORE
  9. Airplanes face a growing risk of being hit by uncontrolled re-entries of rockets used to launch satellites READ MORE
  10. Climate justice takes centrestage at UN, top European court in historic firsts READ MORE
  11. Climate impact: Study finds juvenile black rockfish fared better than expected in unusually high ocean temperatures READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

  1. Vaikom, a satyagraha, and the fight for social justice READ MORE
  2. While India’s population is growing, women’s participation in its workforce is shrinking READ MORE
  3. Shrinking glaciers: Lack of govt data surprising; urgent action needed READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

  1. ‘Guilt by association’ is problematic. Review it READ MORE  
  2. How to tackle hate speech READ MORE
  3. Disqualification of Rahul legal, trust judiciary READ MORE
  4. Position on disqualification READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. Healthcare in India has made great progress, but challenges remain READ MORE  
  2. Digital divide: Internet access in govt schools vital to narrow the gap READ MORE
  3. Why Isn’t India Doing its Best to Educate Children of the Poor? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

  1. ‘Russia Alone can Confront Entire West…’ READ MORE
  2. Neighbours, big & small: Bhutan to Bangladesh, New Delhi must prepare to compete with China in the development space READ MORE
  3. Bhutan’s about-turn: India needs to be wary of China’s Doklam ploy READ MORE
  4. The Moscow declaration READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  1. Banks and borrowers’ governance READ MORE
  2. Building a case for the creative economies of the Global South READ MORE
  3. Is the global economy deglobalizing? And if so, why? And what is next? READ MORE
  4. Improving Global Food Security: The Impact of the Black Sea Grain Initiative READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  1. Is the Khalistan movement reviving? READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

  1. India’s heatwaves are testing the limits of human survival READ MORE

SECURITY

  1. After failure of insurgency in Kashmir, Pakistan is working on Punjab once again READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

  1. Chasing happiness READ MORE
  2. AI Ethics: Why You Should Care READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

  1. Good public policies spur economic growth and public welfare and improve ease of living for citizens. Comment.
  2. Despite putting so many efforts for improving the skills of Civil Servents, governance is still perceived to be lagging behind private-sector management in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Analyse why many policymakers are under-equipped to develop effective policies? And how focus on Public Management would be an effective step to address this gap?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point.
  • Government policies are pivotal in deciding the future of a country. Good public policies spur economic growth and public welfare and improve ease of living for citizens.
  • The Indian bureaucracy has many talented people working at various levels. However, governance is still perceived to be lagging behind private sector management, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
  • The supply of formal education in public management is inadequate as compared to business management education.
  • The proposed division of Delhi into an autonomous National Capital District and the State of Delhi will meet the twin objectives of keeping the national capital in the jurisdiction of the Central government while giving rest of the Union Territory much demanded full statehood.
  • The fact that ecologically protective farming methods are at the same time strengthening the base of farming in the form of improved soil and water conservation holds out the promise of even better progress in years to come.
  • Politics should learn the ethics and economics of people’s welfare, thus using the power it has gained to strive for purity, peace, and prosperity as a common goal.
  • Russia, in turn, evidently understands that India’s defence cooperation with the US, together with its security links in groupings like Quad and I2U2 across the Indo-Pacific, are set to grow.

ESSAY TOPIC

  • Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point.

50-WORD TALK

  • The Rajasthan High Court’s acquittal of four men sentenced to death for the 2008 bombings in Jaipur reveals egregious failings by police, prosecutors and trial courts. Evidence from other trials long ago established the men charged were not the Jaipur perpetrators. Those responsible for persecuting innocents must be held accountable.
  • The RBI brought several regulations to improve NPA detection and resolution before the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was implemented. While there is no dispute that banks have every right to recover loans, they should also give borrowers a fair chance before taking punitive action with wider consequences.

Things to Remember:

  • For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
  • Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
  • For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
  • For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
  • Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.



TOPIC : RBI REPORT ON STATE FINANCES – A STUDY OF BUDGETS OF 2022-23

THE CONTEXT: In January 2023, The RBI released the annual ‘State Finances – A Study of Budgets’ report for 2022-23. The focus of this report is ‘Capital Formation in India – The Role of States’. The report highlights that the States have been spending a greater share of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) on capital expenditure compared to the Centre. In this article, we will analyse the report comprehensively and take the major outcomes of the report. Also, at last we will provide the way forward after analyzing the report on State finances.

ABOUT THE REPORT

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2022-23”, an annual publication that provides information, analysis and an assessment of the finances of State governments for 2022-23 against the backdrop of actual and revised/provisional accounts for 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively. The theme of this year’s Report is “Capital Formation in India – The Role of States”.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

  • The fiscal health of the States has improved from a sharp pandemic-induced deterioration in 2020-21 on the back of a broad-based economic recovery and resulting high revenue collections – States’ gross fiscal deficit (GFD) is budgeted to decline from 4.1 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020-21 to 3.4 per cent in 2022-23.
  •  States’ debt is expected to decrease to 29.5 per cent of GDP in 2022-23 as against 31.1 per cent in 2020-21, it is still higher than 20 per cent recommended by FRBM Review Committee, 2018.
  • States are anticipating an increase in non-tax revenue, which is generated from sources such as fees, fines, and royalties such as State GST, excise taxes and sales taxes in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
  • In 2022-23, States have budgeted higher capital outlay than in 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22. Going forward, increased allocations for sectors like health, education, infrastructure and green energy transition can help expand productive capacities if States mainstream capital planning rather than treating them as residuals and first stops for cutbacks in order to meet budgetary targets.
  • It is worthwhile to consider creating a capex buffer fund during good times when revenue flows are strong so as to smoothen and maintain expenditure quality and flows through the economic cycle.
  • To crowd in private investment, the State governments may continue to focus on creating a congenial ecosystem for the private sector to thrive. States also need to encourage and facilitate higher inter-state trade and businesses to realise the full benefit of spillover effects of State capex across the country

COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE REPORT

STATES HAVE A HIGHER CAPEX TO GDP RATIO COMPARED TO CENTRE

Data indicates that the Capital Expenditure as a share of GDP is higher for the States (all States) compared to the Centre’s Capital Outlay (CO).  In 2022-23, the average Capital Outplay of States is 2.7% of GDP compared to 2.4% of the Centre. In recent years, there has been a higher proportionate increase in the Centre’s CO as a share of GDP but is still lower than that of States’. If the Central Defence CO is excluded, the gap widens further.

The individual state’s share of CO out of the total share of CO is provided in the report. Uttar Pradesh has the highest share, followed by Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Also provided in the report is the ratio of each state’s share of CO and the respective states’ share of GSDP.

DECREASING TREND IN PROPORTION OF ACTUAL CAPEX OF STATES COMPARED TO BUDGET ESTIMATES

While the data indicates that the States do have a longer trend of higher allocation towards capital outlay compared to the Centre, the actual expenditure is less than the initial budget estimates. Trends indicate there the proportion of Actuals compared to the estimates (both Budget & Revised) is decreasing.

During 2015-16, the Actual Capital outlay was 90.6% of the BE. However, in the following years, there has been a steady decline. In 2019-20, the Actuals were only about 72% of the BE. In the pandemic year of 2020-21, it fell further to 69.2%. The actuals for 2021-22 would be provided by the states in the budget for 2023-24, to be presented in the following days to weeks. The budget for 2023-24 would tell us if this trend has reversed following the pandemic year.

Comparatively, the proportion of Actual Revenue spending compared to the BE is higher, although there is a declining trend even in this case.

Large variation exists between the states with respect to Actual vs Budgetary capital outlay. Among the large States, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh have cut down their actual Capex compared to the BE by about 40%. Bihar & Chhattisgarh are the other states which have on average reduced their actual capital outlay compared to their estimates. Meanwhile, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka have managed to spend better on capital outlays in proportion to their initial estimates.

INCREASE IN CAPEX TOWARDS HEALTH POST-PANDEMIC

  • The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of investing in Health Infrastructure. The alignment of states’ spending towards this can be seen with an increased Capital outlay for Health. Out of the total CapEx of the states, Economic services constitute the major portion with about 61%.  Expenditure on Social Services, of which Health constitute a part, is about a quarter of the total capital spending.
  • There is an increased allocation towards Health as a proportion of GDP in recent years. There is a 79% y-o-y increase in CO to GSDP ratio in 2021-22 compared to the earlier year.
  • Although not at the same proportion, there is also an increase in the capital outlay towards another important Social Service i.e., Education.

  • While the overall capital outlay of States shows an encouraging trend, there exists a large variation among the states. Among the large states, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh have a higher CO to GSDP ratio towards health. These states also have a higher share of outlay on Health out of the total capital outlay, compared to other major states.

WITH AN IMPROVED FISCAL POSITION, NEED FOR THE STATES TO IMPROVE THEIR CAPEX

  • The Study of State Budgets report indicates an improved fiscal position of the States after the pandemic-induced stress. It reports increased revenues and more prudent expenditure by the states. The Gross Fiscal Deficit (GFD) was 4.1% of GSDP in 2020-21. The RE indicates a fall in GFD to 3.7% in 2021-22, with a further estimated fall in 2022-23. As indicated earlier, the actuals for 2021-22 of the States would be known once the budgets for 2023-24 are presented by all the states.

  • The report highlights that with the States’ capital expenditure having a higher share of the total country’s capital expenditure (Centre + States), there is more emphasis on the States having a larger contribution to the Capital formation.  Education, health, Infrastructure and Green Energy are a few of the sectors in which increased allocation of capital expenditure can be made to help expand productive capacities as well as create a broader development agenda for the States.  

 STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS IN FISCAL MANAGEMENT OF STATES

VERTICAL FISCAL IMBALANCE BETWEEN THE CENTRE AND THE STATES

  • The constitutional allocation of taxation powers between the Centre and the States is based on some economic and administrative considerations such as minimising/avoiding the problem of double taxation, tax rivalry among States, and duplication of tax administration.
  • While determining expenditure responsibilities, subjects of regional concern, such as law and public order, agriculture, irrigation, public health and sanitation, roads and bridges are assigned to States due to their proximity to the local issues.
  • However, this allocation of taxation powers and expenditure responsibilities between the Centre and the States creates an imbalance referred to as vertical fiscal imbalance. States have the responsibility of development in areas such as education, health, agricultural and industrial growth, construction of roads, bridges and irrigation schemes, etc. However, their revenue raising powers to meet these expenditure responsibilities are inadequate.
  • This led to States’ growing dependence on transfers from the Centre to finance their expenditure commitments. The expenditure policies of States are also influenced by the Centre under the objectives of planning (Centrally Sponsored Schemes).

HORIZONTAL IMBALANCES DUE TO DIFFERENCES IN REVENUE GENERATION CAPACITIES AND EXPENDITURE COMMITMENTS ACROSS STATES

  • The existence of region-specific disparities as well as diverse socioeconomic structure across States causes variations in resource mobilisation and expenditure responsibilities across States. Populist fiscal measures such as non-levy of certain taxes, differences in tax rates, and State-specific expenditure schemes, also contribute to the differences in revenue generating capacity and expenditure commitments across States. These differences create fiscal imbalances, commonly referred to as horizontal fiscal imbalances.

DOMINANCE OF COMMITTED EXPENDITURE

  • The revenue expenditure of States is dominated by committed expenditures such as interest payments, administrative services and pension. Higher committed expenditure resulted in deficit on the revenue account of the States.

MEASURES SUGGESTED BY RBI IN THE REPORT

  • Debt consolidation which would help lower overall interests costs, simplify payments, and make it is easier to pay off the debt. Debt consolidation means combining more than one debt obligation into a new loan with a favourable term structure such as a lower interest rate.
  • Allocating more resources to key sectors such as healthcareeducationinfrastructure, and green energy, the states can promote economic growth and
  • State governments can promote investment through both direct and indirect channels. The direct channel involves spending on physical infrastructure and human capital. The indirect channels act by crowding in private investment, promoting good governance, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
  • State should establish a fund during strong revenue growth which can be used to buffer capital expenditure. The purpose of this fund would be to maintain a consistent level of spending on capital projects.
  • Creating a favourable environment for the Private sector to operate and grow through proper policies implementation and regulations that make it easy for private companies to do business ,as well as providing incentives and support for private investment.
  • States also need to encourage and facilitate higher inter-state trade and commerceto realize the full benefit of spillover effects of state capex across the country.

THE WAY FORWARD

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENT SITUATION

  • The fiscal health of States has rebounded from pandemic induced stress, aided by buoyant revenue collections and prudent expenditure management. These developments have extended into 2022-23 so far.
  • A coincident indicator of this sustained improvement is that market borrowings are much lower than in the indicative calendar due to comfortable cash flow positions of the States, boosted by timely payment of GST compensation by the Centre (May and November 2022) and release of two advance instalments of tax devolution (August and November 2022).
  • The States need to take advantage of this ‘sweet spot’ by building up fiscal buffers and stepping up capex.

CREATING A CAPEX BUFFER

  • Going forward, increased allocations of capital expenditure for sectors like health, education, infrastructure and green energy transition can help expand productive capacities and create a broad-based developmental agenda for the States. Outlays on social services and physical infrastructure can enhance productivity; hence, States must mainstream capital planning rather than treating them as residuals and first stops for cutbacks in order to meet budgetary targets.
  • In this context, it is worthwhile to consider creating a capex buffer fund during good times when revenue flows are strong so as to smoothen and maintain expenditure quality and flows through the economic cycle.

STEP TOWARDS CLIMATE GOVERNANCE

  • Climate change is another area that deserves special attention in the coming years. There is a growing recognition of the need for responsible climate change policies at the State level in areas such as clean energy, energy efficiency, clean transport, and sustainable land use, among others.
  • Capacity building on access to finance and climate governance would help States meet their potential and realise the committed national target of net zero emissions by 2070.

STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical events and global spillovers from synchronised aggressive monetary policy tightening have stalled the progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  Going ahead, India’s commitment to achieve the SDG goals by 2030 is heavily conditioned by policies and actions adopted by the States. With the Centre’s recent thrust towards ‘SDG Localisation’2 , States are now better equipped to orient their spending and investment patterns towards areas requiring attention.
  • Capital expenditure by States in critical areas, viz., health, education, infrastructure, R&D and green energy transition holds the key to India achieving the SDGs.

SETTING UP OF STATE FINANCE COMMISSIONS (SFC)

  • As a part of institutional reforms, State governments need to set up Finance Commissions (SFC) in a regular and timely manner to decide on the assignment of taxes, fees and other revenues to local governments.
  • Institutionalisation of a well defined and timely devolution mechanism to local governments can improve the provision of quality services for the greater public good.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D)

  • States also need to step up their expenditure on research and development (R&D) from the current lows compared to global peers so as to spur innovation and progress.

THE CONCLUSION: Over the years, considerable progress has been made in terms of creation of infrastructure, both physical and social, through several government initiatives. In particular, the post-pandemic economic recovery in India has been supported by enhanced public capex by both the Central and State governments. As a result, fiscal stimulus by design emphasized sustainable and non-inflationary normalization of economic activity. Also, States should also step up capex in areas like research and development and green energy. States can also realize the full benefit of positive spillover effects by facilitating higher inter-state trade and businesses. Going ahead, all tiers of government must engage along with private participation to create world-class capital assets in India.

JUST ADD TO KNOW YOUR KNOWLEDGE

WHAT IS GROSS FISCAL DEFICIT?

  • The gross fiscal deficit (GFD) is the excess of total expenditure including loans net of recovery over revenue receipts (including external grants) and non-debt capital receipts. Since 1999-2000, GFD excludes States’ share in small savings as per the new system of accounting.
  • A decrease in GFD is generally considered a positive sign as it indicates that the state government is able to balance its revenue and expenditure more effectively.
  • It is calculated by subtracting total revenue from total expenditure.

QUESTIONS FOR MAINS EXAMINATION:

  1. According the the Report titled “State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2022-23”, States have been spending a greater share of their GSDP on capital expenditure compared to the Centre. Explain the reasons behind it.
  2. The lack of financial capacity of states has become a significant problem in recent times. Discuss the reasons behind it and also suggest measures to solve this problem.



Day-407 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | POLITY

[WpProQuiz 453]




Ethics Through Current Development (30-03-2023)

  1. India needs public policy education READ MORE
  2. Beware of society’s moral crisis READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Geography (30-03-2023)

  1. How Can India Adapt Better to Heatwaves? READ MORE
  2. We Need Viable Pathways for Recycling and Composting Bioplastics READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (30-03-2023)

  1. Healthcare in India has made great progress, but challenges remain READ MORE  
  2. Digital divide: Internet access in govt schools vital to narrow the gap READ MORE
  3. Why Isn’t India Doing its Best to Educate Children of the Poor? READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (30-03-2023)

  1. A hardhanded response that strikes at the root of rights READ MORE
  2. SMART PDS scheme: A bold initiative in digitization READ MORE
  3. Nature’s punishment for our crimes is just READ MORE
  4. Revisiting regulations: Rules should not bypass the principles of natural justice READ MORE
  5. It’s Time to Rethink Delhi’s Governance Structure, Once Again READ MORE



WSDP Bulletin (30-03-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

  1. INDIA- AFRICA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE ‘AFINDEX-23’ CONCLUDED AT FOREIGN TRAINING NODE, AUNDH, PUNE READ MORE  
  2. 1275 railway stations have been identified under Amrit Bharat Station scheme READ MORE
  3. Karnataka Assembly poll on May 10, results on May 13 READ MORE
  4. 2022-23 trade deficit with China crossed $71 billion by January READ MORE
  5. Riyadh joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization as ties with Beijing grow READ MORE
  6. SC disposes of Mohammad Faizal’s petition against disqualification after Lok Sabha reinstates him READ MORE
  7. SEBI approves ASBA-like facility for trading in secondary market READ MORE
  8. When lightning travels from ground to sky: How upward streamers work READ MORE
  9. A cosmic explosion in 2022 was the brightest ever — and may overturn decades-long theory on gamma ray bursts READ MORE
  10. LVM3 M3/ OneWeb India-2 Mission accomplished successfully READ MORE
  11. While India’s population is growing, women’s participation in its workforce is shrinking READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

  1. A hardhanded response that strikes at the root of rights READ MORE
  2. SMART PDS scheme: A bold initiative in digitization READ MORE
  3. Nature’s punishment for our crimes is just READ MORE
  4. Revisiting regulations: Rules should not bypass the principles of natural justice READ MORE
  5. It’s Time to Rethink Delhi’s Governance Structure, Once Again READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. Healthcare in India has made great progress, but challenges remain READ MORE  
  2. Digital divide: Internet access in govt schools vital to narrow the gap READ MORE
  3. Why Isn’t India Doing its Best to Educate Children of the Poor? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

  1. Russian ambassador to India writes: How the West is hijacking G20 READ MORE
  2. Neighbours, big & small: Bhutan to Bangladesh, New Delhi must prepare to compete with China in the development space READ MORE
  3. Bhutan’s about-turn: India needs to be wary of China’s Doklam ploy READ MORE
  4. The Moscow declaration READ MORE

 GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  1. NPAs should be decriminalized READ MORE
  2. Low-cost, eco-friendly farming offers hope READ MORE
  3. Moment of Reckoning READ MORE
  4. Improving Global Food Security: The Impact of the Black Sea Grain Initiative READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  1. The Possibilities and Pitfalls of ChatGPT READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

  1. How Can India Adapt Better to Heatwaves? READ MORE
  2. We Need Viable Pathways for Recycling and Composting Bioplastics READ MORE

SECURITY

  1. After failure of insurgency in Kashmir, Pakistan is working on Punjab once again READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

  1. India needs public policy education READ MORE
  2. Beware of society’s moral crisis READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

  1. Good public policies spur economic growth and public welfare and improve ease of living for citizens. Comment.
  2. Despite putting so many efforts for improving the skills of Civil Servents, governance is still perceived to be lagging behind private-sector management in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Analyse why many policymakers are under-equipped to develop effective policies? And how focus on Public Management would be an effective step to address this gap?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • Unless both sides win, no agreement can be permanent.
  • Government policies are pivotal in deciding the future of a country. Good public policies spur economic growth and public welfare and improve ease of living for citizens.
  • The Indian bureaucracy has many talented people working at various levels. However, governance is still perceived to be lagging behind private sector management, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
  • The supply of formal education in public management is inadequate as compared to business management education.
  • The proposed division of Delhi into an autonomous National Capital District and the State of Delhi will meet the twin objectives of keeping the national capital in the jurisdiction of the Central government while giving rest of the Union Territory much demanded full statehood.
  • The fact that ecologically protective farming methods are at the same time strengthening the base of farming in the form of improved soil and water conservation holds out the promise of even better progress in years to come.
  • Politics should learn the ethics and economics of people’s welfare, thus using the power it has gained to strive for purity, peace, and prosperity as a common goal.
  • Russia, in turn, evidently understands that India’s defence cooperation with the US, together with its security links in groupings like Quad and I2U2 across the Indo-Pacific, are set to grow.

ESSAY TOPIC

  • Human resource management is a prerequisite for growth.
  • Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

50-WORD TALK

  • Lotay Tshering, Bhutan’s Prime Minister, has caused deep concern in New Delhi by claiming that China has made “no intrusions” into his country. The language suggests Thimpu is willing to cede territory occupied by China in future border talks. India must ensure it isn’t confronted with a dangerous Himalayan fait-accompli.
  • The RBI brought several regulations to improve NPA detection and resolution before the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was implemented. While there is no dispute that banks have every right to recover loans, they should also give borrowers a fair chance before taking punitive action with wider consequences.

Things to Remember:

  • For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
  • Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
  • For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
  • For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
  • Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.



Day-406 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | GEOGRAPHY

[WpProQuiz 452]




TOPIC : INLAND WATERWAYS IN INDIA-OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

THE CONTEXT: In the January 2023, PM flagged off World’s Longest River Cruise-MV Ganga Vilas at Varanasi via video conferencing. To promote Inland Water Transport in the country 111 waterways (including 5 existing and 106 new) have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016 which came into effect from 12th April, 2016.In this write up we will analyse in detail about the opportunities and challenges in the inland waterways in india.

WHAT ARE INLAND WATERWAYS?

  • Inland water transportation is the system of transport through all navigable man-made canals, lakes and rivers. Several large rivers in various parts of the world are used by barges and ships for transportation. Every countries major rivers were utilized for inland transportation. The major rivers used for inland water transport worldwide are the Nile of Africa, Ganga of India, and Thames of Europe etc.
  • Inland waterways have been accorded a central role in maritime development in India. A well-coordinated inland waterways network could bring a fundamental alteration in the logistics scenario of the country. Inland waterways have vast potential to act as an alternate and supplementary mode of transportation for handling certain bulk commodities in India. Underutilization of (IWT) sector in India is a great opportunity loss for the country. Although it continues to be the cheapest mode, it had lost its importance because of poor maintenance of waterways.

 INLAND WATERWAYS IN INDIA:AN OVERVIEW

  • India has approximately 14,500 km of navigable waterways (out of which about 5,200 km of the river and 4,000 km of canals can be used by mechanized crafts) with significant potential to be developed as a mode of transportation. Still, these inland waterways are un-utilized in India as compared to other countries in the world.
  • The Road Transport Sector accounts for about 87% of passenger traffic and 60% of freight traffic movement in the country.
  • The Railways: The National Rail Plan envisages that the share of freight traffic by rail should go up from the current share of 27% to 45% by 2030.
  • Inland Waterways: Modal share of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in freight movement is 2%.
  • At present  13 National waterways is in operation:

Gujarat Waterways and Maharashtra Waterways constituted more than 75% of the overall IWT traffic in 2019-20.

INLAND WATERWAYS IN INDIA-OPPORTUNITIES

IMPROVEMENT IN LOGISTIC SECTOR

  • A well-coordinated inland waterways network could bring a fundamental alteration in the logistics scenario of the country. It represents a ready built infrastructure network, which can be utilised without any further capital investment.

REDUCE DEPENDENCY ON OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION

  • Waterways can decongest roads, including highways by moving cargo away. Waterways do not involve challenges associated with land acquisition, which has always been a sensitive issue, causing time and cost overruns of numerous projects.

COST EFFICIENCY

  • Movement of goods and passengers through inland waterways would necessitate setting up a large number of landing and loading/unloading points. This has the potential to open up large and accessible hinterland for supply of goods which can be transported at a lower cost. The accessible hinterland can also open up new markets.

INTEGRATED SUPPLY CHAIN DEVELOPMENT

  • Carriers are increasingly eying growth prospects associated with a wider range of services, including landside operations. Ports and shipping interests are focusing attention on inland logistics with additional revenue-generation potential. Also, ease of restrictions on river-sea movement, by utilizing a single vessel for both inland and coastal waters, would further lower transport costs as well as reduce handling charges.

GROWTH OF TOURISM INDUSTRY

  • Development of inland waterways in India offers a huge potential for the growth of Tourism sector in the country. Planning of the coastal tourism industry should be integrated with the development of NWs for the economic benefits of both the sectors.

INLAND WATERWAYS IN INDIA-CHALLENGES

India’s inland water transport sector is relatively under-developed, compared to other large economies due to following reasons:

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES

  • INADEQUATE DEPTH: Large parts of Indian waterways have inadequate depth for commercial movement of cargo.  Sufficient depth or least available depth is required to enable the navigability of larger vessels. Moreover indian rivers (especially in the northern plains) face severe problems of siltation round the year. The river bed rises, impeding the movement of cargo during non-monsoon months.
  • INADEQUATE AIR DRAFT: Multiple bridges with low vertical clearance obstruct the passage of bigger inland water transport vessels on waterways such as National waterways No-3.
  • LACK OF NIGHT NAVIGATION INFRASTRUCTURES: Lack of Night navigation facilities such as Differential Global Positioning Systems ( DGPS) and River information System (RIS )are the major impediments in the successful operations in waterways.

REGULATORY CHALLENGES

  • MODAL INTEGRATION: Lack of potential multimodal corridors and detailed mapping of waterways and industrial clusters, multimodal transport hubs in inland water transport corridor.
  • LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES: Since the navigable inland waterways invariably run through more than one state, it is important to have uniformity in the realm of various operational aspects of inland water transport throughout the country. The model inland vessels rules also needs to have the uniformity for followed up by adoption of various states.

GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGES

  • INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOLS : An international protocols route are providing the direct linkage of Haldia and Kolkata ports with landlocked northeastern states and has potential to be utilized as main mode for transportation of cargo from north eastern region to Kolkata and Haldia besides enhancing trade with Bangladesh. Energy efficiency of waterway gets negated by the higher turnaround time of the barges due to the administrative and operational delays along the protocol route.
  • INTER LINKING OF RIVERS: The river inter-linking projects are ensuring to use as waterways for navigation. The Inland water transport has a strategic importance for connectivity of north eastern regions which do not have very efficient connectivity due to its geographical position and rail/road transport passing through the “chicken neck”.

FINANCIAL CHALLENGES

  • INVESTMENTS BY GOVERNMENTS : There has been under investment in inland water transport sector infrastructure vis-a-vis road and rail. While considerable emphasis has been laid on the development of road and rail infrastructure in successive five years plans, inland water transport sector has been neglected. Consequently, public investments in inland water transport mode have been far below the levels attained by other modes.
  • INVESTMENTS BY PRIVATE: As a policy measure, the possibility of private sector participation for the development, maintenance and regulation of some stretches of the inland waterways can be explored similar to another transport sector like road and metro rail.
  • CAPACITY BUILDING: There is huge demand for trained manpower for vessel operations as well as for development and management of inland water transport infrastructure since the limited resource in training and research & development for inland water transport there is need of potential investment in training and research

OTHER CHALLENGES

  • ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Dredging operations will damage river bed, and can lead to change in habitats for various aquatic flora and fauna. Dredging also impact aquifers along the river, damaging the ability of water to percolate underground.
  • OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: Operation and maintenance of fairways and related infrastructure for private participation to achieve accelerated development. Needs to implement the river information systems on waterways

 LEGAL AND POLICY REGIME FOR INLAND WATERWAYS IN INDIA

THE INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA ACT, 1985

  • The Act provides for the constitution of an Authority for the regulation and development of inland waterways for purposes of shipping and navigation and for matters related to it
  • The Inland Waterways Authority of India was formed in 1986. It undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grant received from Ministry of Shipping

INDIAN VESSELS ACT OF 1917 (AMENDED IN 2007)

  • It deals with the survey and registration of inland vessels, removal of obstructions in navigation, carriage of goods and passengers, prevention and control of pollution etc.

INLAND WATER TRANSPORT POLICY 2001

  • Policy talks about IWT being economic, fuel-efficient and environment friendly mode of transport. It advocates large-scale private sector participation both for creation of infrastructure and for fleet operations.

NATIONAL WATERWAYS ACT 2016

  • The Act declared 111 rivers or river stretches, creeks, estuaries as National (inland) Waterways.
  • It enables the Central Government to regulate these waterways for development with regard to shipping, navigation and transport through mechanically propelled vessels.

LAWS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER IMPACTS

  • Forest Act 1980,
  • Environmental Protection Act 1986 and various notifications under it like EIA Notification 2006, CRZ Notification 2011

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

JAL MARG VIKAS PROJECT (JMVP)  

  • JMVP was announced by the government in the 2014-15 budget to allow commercial navigation of vessels weighing at least 1500 tonnes on the Ganga river.
  • The project calls for the construction of a 1620-kilometre-long waterway on the Ganga River between Allahabad and Haldia.
  • The project spans the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
  • The project intends to build a three-metre-deep fairway to allow commercial navigation of at least 1500-tonne vessels on the river.
  • It also includes the construction of a fairway, multimodal terminals, the improvement of open river navigation techniques, conservation efforts, a modern River Information System (RIS), and other projects.
  • The World Bank is funding the project.
  • The Jal Marg Vikas Project is expected to cost $800 million and is scheduled to be completed in December 2023.

THE SAGARMALA PROJECT

The Sagarmala Project has been initiated by the Government of India after Cabinet approved it in 2015 to promote port-led development in India. The project aims to harness the 7500 km long coastline of the country to unleash its economic potential. The project also seeks to boost infrastructure for transporting goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

Components of Sagarmala Programme are:

  • Port Modernization & New Port Development: De-bottlenecking and capacity expansion of existing ports and development of new greenfield ports
  • Port Connectivity Enhancement: Enhancing the connectivity of the ports to the hinterland, optimizing cost and time of cargo movement through multi-modal logistics solutions including domestic waterways (inland water transport and coastal shipping)
  • Port-linked Industrialization: Developing port-proximate industrial clusters and Coastal Economic Zones to reduce logistics cost and time of EXIM and domestic cargo
  • Coastal Community Development: Promoting sustainable development of coastal communities through skill development & livelihood generation activities, fisheries development, coastal tourism etc.
  • Coastal Shipping & Inland Waterways Transport: Impetus to move cargo through the sustainable and environment-friendly coastal and inland waterways mode.

INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES 

1. WATERWAYS THROUGH RIVER DANUBE IN EUROPE-

  • The Danube River that is the second longest river in Europe flows through ten European countries he Danube flows through ten European countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia,Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and the Ukraine) and four capital cities (Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade). With this number the Danube can be included among the waterways that flow with the largest number of countries in the world.

2.WATERWAYS IN THE NETHERLANDS

  • IWT accounts for 46.6% of the total freight traffic in the Netherlands, with around 40% of container traffic along national inland waterways.
  • Availability of efficient infrastructure, including handling facilities for large vessels and barges, and container storage facilities, has resulted in increased competitiveness and has attracted several private investments.
  • The ongoing barge transports in the Belgian and Dutch areas are mainly line network operations, where the seaport terminals are connected to terminals along the river Rhine.
  • Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and port of Antwerp in Belgium are two of the largest ports in Europe for both bulk and container cargo.
  • The regions close to these seaports have a strong network of waterways; largely because of the geography of the river Rhine.
  •  Port of Amsterdam is also connected to Rhine, and due to the network between the three large seaports, the river and surrounding waterways have become important barge corridors.

THE WAY FORWARD

NITI AAYOG RECOMMENDATIONS (ACTION AGENDA, THREE-YEAR2017-2020)

  • NITI Aayog recommends streamlining the regulatory structure and bringing an overarching body to oversee Inland Water Transport such as the IWAI to more consistency in the rules and strategy of the sector.
  • Efforts should be made to develop deeper stretches of the river, i.e., at least 2.5 m to 3 m to achieve year-around navigation
  • Adequate maintenance of rivers, including continuous dredging to maintain adequate water depth for servicing shipping lines should be ensured.
  • Ease restrictions on river-sea movement by Utilizing a single vessel for both inland and coastal waters, lowers transport costs and minimizes handling.

p POLICY MEASURES

    • Cargo transport through inland waterways should be incentivised. Following measures can be taken:
    • The Government can mandate/incentivise industries in the proximity of national waterways to use this mode for a portion of their shipments.
    • The government can promote industrial corridors along riverbanks and foster waterways-based industrialisation.
    • Higher road taxes can be levied on transportation of coal and inflammable material over longer distances

INTERLINKING WATERWAYS AND PORTS

  • Interlinking waterways and ports with coastal shipping. For instance, Ganga-Brahmaputra-Sunderbans river system can be integrated with Haldia and Kolkata ports. This will have a domino effect of the development of that area and also relieve pressure on the land-based modes.

STRENGTHENING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

  • Strengthening public-private partnership has the key role to play in developing the inland waterways sector. Private players can undertake terminal development, cargo and passenger handling, and building low-draft vessels and related repair facilities.

THE CONCLUSION: Inland waterways have numerous benefits. Many of these benefits are related to freight transportation. The major advantage is that it will save us money. It also helps us reduce traffic levels and climate change throughout the globe. Since it does not produce any pollution, it is considered a better option than the other modes of transportation available. They can also transport passengers, and this is commonly known as canal boat cruises. In the end, we can say that the transport system is becoming more efficient by using inland waterways for a safer and faster journey.

QUESTIONS FOR MAINS EXAMINATION:

Q1. Analyse the potential of inland water transportation in India. How can it help in improving logistic sector?

Q2.Discuss the challenges faced by the inland waterways in india? Also suggest some policy measures  that need to be taken to overcome the challenges.

ADD TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE

THE INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA (IWAI)

  • The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) came into existence on 27th October 1986 for the development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
  • The Authority primarily undertakes projects for the development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
  • The head office of the Authority is at Noida.
  • The Authority also has its regional offices at Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati and Kochi and sub-offices at Allahabad, Varanasi, Farakka, Sahibganj, Haldia, Swroopganj, Hemnagar, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Silchar, Kollam, Bhubaneshwar  and Vijayawada.
  • It does the function of building the necessary infrastructure in these waterways, surveying the economic feasibility of new projects and also administration and regulation



Day-405 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

[WpProQuiz 451]




Ethics Through Current Development (29-03-2023)

  1. Humility vs humiliation READ MORE
  2. Be The Change You Want To See In Others READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Geography (29-03-2023)

  1. Further Warming in Disaster-Hit Himalayas Will Have ‘Severe Consequences’: IPCC READ MORE
  2. In an Assam district, extreme weather events are forcing a shift in farming practices READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (29-03-2023)

  1. Healthcare in India has made great progress, but challenges remain READ MORE  
  2. Digital divide: Internet access in govt schools vital to narrow the gap READ MORE
  3. Why Isn’t India Doing its Best to Educate Children of the Poor? READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (29-03-2023)

  1. Putting citizen engagement at the heart of governance READ MORE
  2. Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification Proves the Law Has Fallen Into the Wrong Hands READ MORE
  3. Five Simple Yet Powerful Reforms to Make Indian Police Force Effective READ MORE
  4. Reflections on hate speech in light of recent Supreme Court orders READ MORE



WSDP Bulletin (29-03-2023)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

  1. National Mission on Natural Farming READ MORE  
  2. Green Agriculture READ MORE
  3. SVAMITVA Scheme READ MORE
  4. NCPCR writes to States to introduce concessions for children with Type 1 diabetes in schools READ MORE
  5. What is an IMF bailout, when is it provided to a country, and what are the lending conditions? READ MORE
  6. G20 expert group constituted for strengthening MDBs READ MORE
  7. Chaos in Lebanon over what time it is: What is the underlying idea of Daylight Saving Time? READ MORE
  8. Why does Russia want tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus? READ MORE
  9. UK to provide weapons containing depleted uranium to Ukraine: What are these? READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

  1. Putting citizen engagement at the heart of governance READ MORE
  2. Rahul Gandhi’s Disqualification Proves the Law Has Fallen Into the Wrong Hands READ MORE
  3. Five Simple Yet Powerful Reforms to Make Indian Police Force Effective READ MORE
  4. Reflections on hate speech in light of recent Supreme Court orders READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. Healthcare in India has made great progress, but challenges remain READ MORE  
  2. Digital divide: Internet access in govt schools vital to narrow the gap READ MORE
  3. Why Isn’t India Doing its Best to Educate Children of the Poor? READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

  1. Recalibrating strategy: Attention now on how India will navigate the upcoming SCO, G20 meetings READ MORE
  2. China’s foray into Middle East via Iran-Saudi deal READ MORE
  3. India and Israel can be pivots in reglobalising Asia READ MORE
  4. India’s Taliban dilemma: Diplomatic engagement and moral disquietness READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  1. GDPs without borders: That even Japan is open now to immigration shows what mistakes other aging, rich countries are making READ MORE
  2. Flip side to bank transparency READ MORE
  3. Moment of Reckoning READ MORE
  4. Improving Global Food Security: The Impact of the Black Sea Grain Initiative READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

  1. The Possibilities and Pitfalls of ChatGPT READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

  1. Further Warming in Disaster-Hit Himalayas Will Have ‘Severe Consequences’: IPCC READ MORE
  2. In an Assam district, extreme weather events are forcing a shift in farming practices READ MORE

SECURITY

  1. After failure of insurgency in Kashmir, Pakistan is working on Punjab once again READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

  1. Humility vs humiliation READ MORE
  2. Be The Change You Want To See In Others READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

  1. As the global food system has become more fragile and vulnerable, the Black Sea Grain Initiative has assuaged the demand–supply deficit to a certain extent and provided a degree of stability to global food prices. Examine.
  2. In the face of growing regional uncertainty and global instability, India and Israel, must explore and develop robust cooperation in Asia. In light of this statement, discuss how India and Israel can be pivots in reglobalising Asia?
  3. The New Education Policy (NEP) has only committed to a universal minimum level of education rather than quality education for every children. Critically examine.
  4. Education plays an important role in breaking the chain of caste but integrating education (as inspired in NEP) with the neo-liberal socio-economic order creates a situation similar to the caste system. Argue.
  5. Police reforms have been put off year after year until the task has become so gargantuan that everyone is afraid to touch it. In light of the statement analyse what changes are necessary to make Indian police people friendly?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
  • The strategic/commercial issues that challenge the relationship indicate the need to continue to build the trust that will make the U.S.-India partnership as strong as it should be.
  • Global food security has been significantly impacted due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Rising food inflation and reduced availability of key commodities are some of the major concerns.
  • As the global food system has become more fragile and vulnerable, the Black Sea Grain Initiative has assuaged the demand–supply deficit to a certain extent and provided a degree of stability to global food prices.
  • In the face of growing regional uncertainty and global instability, India and Israel, with other partners, must explore and develop robust cooperation in various domains.
  • Providing a decent education to every child is essential if the future is to be democratic.
  • The New Education Policy (NEP) does not promise quality education to every child. Its commitment is only to a universal minimum level of education.
  • The neo-liberal acceptance of class inequalities in education is integrated with an instrumental understanding of its purpose.
  • Hate speech carries the power to slowly change the conscience of a social group, to veer it towards hating a community, an identity.
  • Police reforms have been put off year after year until the task has become so gargantuan that everyone is afraid to touch it.
  • Furthering democracy is about constantly finding ways to respect the voice of the citizen standing at the end of the last mile

ESSAY TOPIC

  • Human resource management is a prerequisite for growth.
  • Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.

50-WORD TALK

  • The swift disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha member a day after his conviction is unsurprising. He has a long legal, political battle ahead. It’s an opportunity for him to reinvent himself and prove his leadership mettle. Opposition unity is good for optics but its durability is anyone’s guess.
  • Finance Minister’s announcement of a committee to examine Old Pension Scheme is disappointing. From fiscal view, it’s clear New Pension Scheme is superior, while OPS trades current benefits for future significant liabilities. This is a disturbing message to states: that fiscal imprudence will be examined at par with smart decisions.

Things to Remember:

  • For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
  • Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
  • For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
  • For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
  • Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.



Ethics Through Current Development (28-03-2023)

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Today’s Important Articles for Geography (28-03-2023)

  1. UN 2023 Water Conference ends with over 700 commitments to make world water-secure READ MORE
  2. Final solution: On giving earth a chance to escape climate change effects READ MORE
  3. Water supply improvements in Indian cities READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (28-03-2023)

  1. Reform Muslim Personal Law now. It’s communal, sectarian, and anti-Islam READ MORE
  2. NEP and the future of school education READ MORE