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Access to Justice - A Long Way to Go

June 14, 2018

( Asadullah )

John Rawls, an American moral and political philosopher in the liberal tradition, defines Justice as basic fairness in multidimensional interactions between humans and their institutions. The purpose of such varied interactions, he states is to balance democracy with striving for security. (John Rawls, 2003). Access to justice is a fundamental aspect of democracy, and it constitutes the most basic rights of the people.

India Must Focus on Quality Education as a Solution to Sexual Violence

May 26, 2018

(The Wire; Asadullah )

The recent wave of sexual violence reported from across the country – against women in general and little girls in particular – is not only disturbing but also thought-provoking. The response of the civil society, media and government towards these deplorable instances has largely been ad hoc and reactionary, both in terms of form and substance.

India Experiments With Opacity With its Own Onshore Financial Centre

May 22, 2018

(The Wire; Neeti Biyani and Sakshi Rai )

Income and wealth inequality in India is deepening. The current regime, despite its promises to tackle black money, has chosen a contradictory course of action which has bolstered financial secrecy in the country, further widening already existing structural inequalities.

For Asia's Sustainable Development, Regional Governments Must Take Taxation Seriously

May 15, 2018

(The Diplomat; Neeti Biyani )

For most part, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – the global 2030 development agenda – are oriented towards securing human rights for populations across the world. While the world stands at a crossroads and faces challenges each more threatening than the last, the SDGs are a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet, and to ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

India’s Striving To Strengthen Its Tax Policy But It’s Still Costing Us Dearly. Here’s Why

May 15, 2018

(Youth Ki Awaaz; Neeti Biyani )

The progressive realisation of human rights and availability of public services such as education, health, nutrition, drinking water and sanitation, etc. depend on how effectively national governments mobilize resources in the country. An integral part of this is national tax policy.

Use Women’s Fund Wisely

May 4, 2018

(The Pioneer; Kanika Kaul )

A little over five years ago, the Nirbhaya case shook the nation’s conscience and brought people to the streets in protest against the high incidence of violence against women in the country. The Government, under pressure, took swift measures to address the issue. It passed the Criminal Law (Amendment Act), 2013 (Nirbhaya Act) to bring amendments to laws on sexual offenses.

Is Netherlands Becoming the New 'Mauritius Route’ for FDI Flows Into India?

April 20, 2018

(The Wire; Suraj Jaiswal )

With capital becoming globalised, international investors look for the minutest of opportunities across the world to improve return on their funds. Such endeavours, many a time, fall into the grey zone where the difference between legal and illegal becomes very thin. Two such grey zone cases refer to ‘treaty shopping’ and ‘round tripping’.

Two Recent Taxation Changes Will Likely Boost Investment, So Why Are They Sparking Criticism?

February 21, 2018

(The Wire; Suraj Jaiswal )

While the recent Union Budget announced a number of changes related to taxation policies – like a change in corporate tax rate, a standard deduction of Rs 40,000 for the salaried class, changes in surcharge – one of its most noteworthy aspects is a departure from the past policy stance on two areas of taxation. One, an increase in customs duties for a number of products, and two, the reintroduction of long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax.

Will School Education Be A Priority For The Maharashtra Govt In The Upcoming State Budget?

February 17, 2018

(Youth Ki Awaaz; Protiva Kundu and Anuja. S. )

In India, historically and constitutionally, the fiscal spaces for states have been very limited because of their limited resource-generating capacity. However, Maharashtra is an exception. It is the wealthiest state in terms of its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The growth rate of Maharashtra was 9.4% in 2016-17 – 2% more than the nation’s growth rate.

Doubling farmers’ income: Is Budget 2018 in the right direction?

February 13, 2018

(Governance Now; Nilachala Acharya )

Farmers need higher returns for their produce to experience increased farm income. The government has continuously promised farmers at least 50 percent higher returns than the cost of their produce. In the backdrop of these assurances, it is pertinent to see what the Union Budget 2018-19 offers to the sector for ensuring a secured income, if not doubling it by 2022 in line with its promises.

How transparent is our budget?

February 12, 2018

(Governance Now; Nilachala Acharya and Simonti Chakraborty )

The ideas of ‘good governance’ and ‘budget transparency’ are intricately related where one practice often influences the other. Over the past few years, the importance of transparency in governance has been amply stressed upon and budgets, in this context, are looked upon as primary tools that can be used to hold the government accountable. In view of this, it is pertinent to see where India stands in so far as budget transparency is concerned.

#Budget2018 rural sector funds ka funda

February 9, 2018

(Newslaundry ; Inayat Sabhikhi )

In June last year, a small-scale awareness activity and camp in two blocks of Jharkhand saw hundreds of people showing up at the block office to register their names for pensions and MGNREGA work. On submitting their applications to the block administration, they were communicated the broken refrain of “abhi funds nahin hain” (there is no money available right now).