News for 'Centre for Policy Research'

Punjab: Captain's impact marginal, AAP may surprise

Punjab: Captain's impact marginal, AAP may surprise

Rediff.com20 Oct 2021

A recent pre-election survey suggests that AAP may win 53 seats in the 117-member Punjab assembly and reduce the Congress to just 43.

'PLA is into 'salami slicing' of Indian territory'

'PLA is into 'salami slicing' of Indian territory'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2022

'This reluctance to respond forcefully to Chinese PLA provocations and outright aggression has as much to do with Prime Minister Modi personally, as with the institutional mindset of the MEA or even the Indian Army.' 'They are scarred by the 1962 War and are still cowed by China.'

'Incorrect to say Article 370 has been abrogated'

'Incorrect to say Article 370 has been abrogated'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

'Article 370 laid down the edifice of the relationship between J-K and the Union of India.' 'If you look at the Article, what is there now is a provision which states that all provisions of the Constitution of India applies to J-K.' 'The veto that the state could exercise previously on most Union laws has ended.'

'Modi remains deeply involved in every election the BJP contests'

'Modi remains deeply involved in every election the BJP contests'

Rediff.com9 Dec 2022

'The BJP while being in government in Gujarat continues to campaign like an Opposition party whereas the Opposition does the opposite.'

Covaxin 50% effective against symptomatic Covid: Lancet

Covaxin 50% effective against symptomatic Covid: Lancet

Rediff.com24 Nov 2021

Results of an interim study recently published in The Lancet showed that two doses of Covaxin, also known as BBV152, had 77.8 per cent efficacy against symptomatic disease and present no serious safety concerns.

Even NITI Aayog members are clueless about its role

Even NITI Aayog members are clueless about its role

Rediff.com6 Jan 2015

Bibek Debroy raised seven questions about the new institution.

6 years of GST: Rs 1.5 trillion monthly tax revenues becomes 'new normal'

6 years of GST: Rs 1.5 trillion monthly tax revenues becomes 'new normal'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2023

Six years after the rollout of the biggest indirect tax reform in India, Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue of Rs 1.5 lakh crore every month has become a new normal and tax officers are focusing on dealing with fraudsters who are adopting newer modus operandi to game the system, causing loss to the exchequer. To apprehend black sheep, who operate as syndicates and create fake entities on the basis of forged documents to claim input tax credit (ITC), tax officers have started using data analytics, artifical intelligence and machine learning aiming to curb evasion, which was over Rs 3 lakh crore since inception of GST. It was over Rs 1 lakh crore in 2022-23. Thinktank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said the most critical pending GST reform is upgradation of GST Network to prevent fake supplies and fraudulent claims of Input Tax Credit (ITC).

20 Minutes Of Half Truths

20 Minutes Of Half Truths

Rediff.com23 Oct 2021

Jyoti Punwani decodes Modi's Covid Vaccine speech.

Why Xi Jinping 'fixed' Jack Ma

Why Xi Jinping 'fixed' Jack Ma

Rediff.com18 Jan 2021

Alibaba's pervasive economic and social influence in China is seen as a threat to the authority of the Chinese Communist party, notes Shyam Saran.

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

Rediff.com11 May 2022

The number of times public sector undertakings (PSUs) have held conference calls with investors, their capital management, and debt financing are among the parameters that the Centre will use to judge their performance for the first time, a senior official in the know said. The government will evaluate PSUs for FY22 based on new parameters that were finalised by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in consultation with the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) last year, the official said. The government had included more conditions in the memorandum of understandings (MoUs) - used to set annual targets - that public sector enterprises sign with the DPE every year. These included a consistent dividend policy, which seeks to transfer dividends by PSUs every quarter; and market capitalisation or share price improvement over the sectoral index on an annual average basis for listed companies.

Farmer unions refuse to appear before 'pro-govt' panel

Farmer unions refuse to appear before 'pro-govt' panel

Rediff.com12 Jan 2021

Addressing a press conference at Singhu Border in New Delhi, farmer leader Balbeer Singh Rajewal said that farmers never demanded the Supreme Court form a committee to resolve the impasse, alleging the central government was behind this development.

Is Nehru Responsible For Indian Muslims' Plight?

Is Nehru Responsible For Indian Muslims' Plight?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

Pratinav Anil is able to foresee some agency and assertion on the part of India's Muslims. His hope emanates from the citizenship rights movement of Muslims in 2019-2020, notes Mohammad Sajjad.

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

New India knows its direction, has no confusion, Modi tells diaspora

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

Wrapping up his four-day state visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asserted that a new and proud journey of India-US ties has begun and the world is watching the two great democracies strengthening their bond.

3 Covid waves likely to hit China in the coming months

3 Covid waves likely to hit China in the coming months

Rediff.com21 Dec 2022

It is certain that the Chinese government was 'under-prepared' as it decided to end its zero-COVID policy abruptly after people held protests across the country, The Hong Kong Post reported.

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

'Economic rebound has run out of steam'

Rediff.com9 Mar 2023

'When the average growth in the last three years was just 2.5%, how does that make us the fastest growing country?' 'They only tell you what has happened in the last 2 years; they are not taking into account what happened in FY21 on account of their mistakes.'

POCSO at 10: Acquittals outdo convictions, high pendency, long disposal time

POCSO at 10: Acquittals outdo convictions, high pendency, long disposal time

Rediff.com18 Nov 2022

Uttar Pradesh has the highest pendency with more than three-fourths or 77.77 per cent of the total POCSO cases that were filed between November 2012 and February 2021, according to the data.

'Stock markets reflect the economy less'

'Stock markets reflect the economy less'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2021

'It is far too early to celebrate the numbers.' 'They are still fairly weak compared to the pre-pandemic level.'

'We must not deny children the advantages of knowing English'

'We must not deny children the advantages of knowing English'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2020

'English must be taught extremely well to all children in all schools, and especially so in those schools where the medium of instruction until Grade 5/8 is in the mother tongue/local language/regional language.'

'Modi can't be seen in Xi's company'

'Modi can't be seen in Xi's company'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2022

'The MEA, hopefully, made it clear that the Indian PM can't be seen in Xi Jinping's company when China has, for all intents and purposes, annexed over 1,000 sq kms of Indian territory in eastern Ladakh, and essentially that the Wuhan spirit and the Mamallapuram spirit have turned into vinegar.'

Developments in J-K internal matters of India: US

Developments in J-K internal matters of India: US

Rediff.com20 Aug 2019

The talks between Singh and Esper came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump.

IIT alumni are opening their wallets wide to give back despite Covid-19

IIT alumni are opening their wallets wide to give back despite Covid-19

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

While the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur may have attracted among the highest donations by an individual (former student and IndiGo Airlines co-founder Rakesh Gangwal) at Rs 100 crore last week, IITs have largely seen such contributions rise over recent years, despite the Covid pandemic. According to Mahesh Panchagnula, dean, Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Madras, in the last five years, the premier institute has raised more than Rs 135 crore under the endowment category of education alone. Despite the pandemic, there has been an increasing trend in endowment funding received at IIT Madras, with an average increase of about 20 per cent year-on-year across the last five years.

Highlights of Budget 2023-24

Highlights of Budget 2023-24

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

Per capita income has more than doubled to Rs 1.97 lakh in around nine years. Indian economy has increased in size from being 10th to 5th largest in the world in the past nine years. Seven priorities of the Budget, 'Saptarishi', are inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infrastructure and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth power and financial sector.

China: India must hold the line in the north

China: India must hold the line in the north

Rediff.com8 Sep 2020

'Our strategy should be to 'hold the line' in the north on the Sino-Indian land frontier, but maintain and, if possible, enlarge India's current edge in the maritime south.'

As Budget session convenes, Oppn seeks debate on Adani row, govt to go by rules

As Budget session convenes, Oppn seeks debate on Adani row, govt to go by rules

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

The session will commence with the maiden address of President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament. The address essentially highlights the government's achievements and policy priorities.

Why Should Data Not Go Private?

Why Should Data Not Go Private?

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

The development of private data sources is a hugely positive development. It should serve as a challenge to the government to improve its own record on producing timely and reliable statistics, points out T N Ninan.

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

The A-W Of Desi Guests At the White House Dinner

Rediff.com24 Jun 2023

The dinner Jill Biden and her husband US President Joe Biden hosted for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, June 22, at the White House brought together, Indians and Americans from so many firmaments.

Taliban's gains pose fears of JMB's resurgence in East

Taliban's gains pose fears of JMB's resurgence in East

Rediff.com15 Aug 2021

The Border Security Force has been put on high alert along the India-Bangladesh border in Assam and Tripura following intelligence inputs of Islamic terrorists planning to infiltrate the country.

Hydroxychloroquine can be fatal: Experts

Hydroxychloroquine can be fatal: Experts

Rediff.com6 May 2020

As the pandemic spreads and the urgency for effective treatment of COVID-19 mounts, several countries, including the US, have started relying heavily on HCQ, majorly used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatoid-arthritis.

Government Cracks Down On FCI Racket

Government Cracks Down On FCI Racket

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

'The corruption charges in FCI are not the first and won't be the last.'

'Xi's Main Challenge Is Taking Over Taiwan'

'Xi's Main Challenge Is Taking Over Taiwan'

Rediff.com20 Oct 2022

'Even though as Xi will seemingly continue to stay in power beyond his third term, competitions for the post-Xi leadership would be inevitably unfolded beneath the surface of water, and that will be a big headache for Xi the dictator.'

Arvind Subramanian, RBI advisor make case for rate cut

Arvind Subramanian, RBI advisor make case for rate cut

Rediff.com18 Jun 2015

RBI recently cut repo by 0.25 percentage point, taking the rate to 7.25 per cent in three reductions since January.

How drones can give wings to farmers

How drones can give wings to farmers

Rediff.com13 Nov 2022

So far, the drones that were considered important for the agriculture sector were nature-made winged-insects - a key component of the bee-based natural pollination cycle. The new-age drone is a whirring machine with rotors that can help farmers plan and grow and manage their crops. For the farm sector in India, which has had low levels of mechanisation, the impact of drones can be tremendous. The use of drones can help it leapfrog to modernisation in the same way that mobile phones helped India overcome its traditional lack of connectivity.

NEP Opens Doors For Foreign Universities

NEP Opens Doors For Foreign Universities

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

'We are receiving a steady stream of interest from well-established foreign universities.'

Why the US has sanctioned Putin's daughters

Why the US has sanctioned Putin's daughters

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

Asked why the United States was targeting Putin's daughters, a senior Biden administration official said the US thought they could be in control of some of their father's assets.

'Modi will remain in the background in UP'

'Modi will remain in the background in UP'

Rediff.com23 Dec 2021

'The BJP would like to capitalise on Yogi's tough image on criminals, law and order situation, and hands-on CM.' 'Modi will be an additional advantage, but it is primarily a contest between Yogi and Akhilesh.'

Govt blocks access to BBC documentary on Modi

Govt blocks access to BBC documentary on Modi

Rediff.com21 Jan 2023

The Centre has issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the BBC documentary 'India: The Modi Question', sources said.

High drama during parliamentary panel meet on vaccines

High drama during parliamentary panel meet on vaccines

Rediff.com23 Jun 2021

When several opposition MPs expressed their desire to ask questions about the Centre's vaccination policy such as increasing the gap between two doses, the BJP MPs strongly opposed it and few of them even demanded postponement of the meeting and walked out, the sources said.

Inflation warrior Urjit Patel at the helm of RBI

Inflation warrior Urjit Patel at the helm of RBI

Rediff.com5 Sep 2016

The first task before him is to get used to the idea of working with the Monetary Policy Committee

The Pension Challenge Confronting India

The Pension Challenge Confronting India

Rediff.com18 Apr 2022

When we look at the pension expenditure of the states, so far, there has been no gain from the NPS reform. Pension expenses as a share of total state revenue expenditure rose from 4% in 1991-1992 to 10% at the time of the NPS reform, and have risen further to about 12%, observes Ajay Shah.

Is Governor Ravi Serving Hindutva Electoral Cause Well?

Is Governor Ravi Serving Hindutva Electoral Cause Well?

Rediff.com4 Jul 2023

While Governor Ravi's speeches have put the local BJP supporters on the defensive in matters of religion and social justice, his add-on 'attack on the constitutional scheme' in the 'Senthil Balaji case', has been condemned squarely by many legal experts and editorial writers across the country, thus adding weight to CM Stalin's position -- at least until the courts come up with their binding views, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.