Indian State from a Public Sector Perspective

DUE to the Indian bourgeoisie's incapacity and reluctance to invest in capital-intensive industries, the newly independent Indian state was compelled to assume a productive role, which led to the establishment of the public sector. During its welfare stage until 1991, it acted as the producer and provider of various essential goods, social services, and infrastructure.

Crying Need for Universal Pension in India

India has low pension coverage and the pension system is unable to fulfill its purpose. A non-contributory basic pension can guarantee a regular income in old age to all residents of the country, regardless of earning or occupation. A state convention organised by the Kerala unit of the All India Insurance Pensioners Association (AIIPA) at EMS Town Hall, Ernakulam, demanded introduction of non-contributory basic pension that will guarantee a regular income in old age to all residents.Prof.

Neoliberal Guidelines to Burden Urban People

THE union government issued two sets of guidelines on June 19 to all state governments, asking them to implement urban reforms. In order to ensure the implementation of these reforms, a carrot of monetary incentive is dangled before them. This initiative reflects the BJP-led central government's push towards the aggressive implementation of neoliberal reforms.Before delving into the current guidelines, it is important to recap the previous directives issued by the central government during the COVID lockdown.

Uniformity versus Equal Rights

SOCIAL reform movements for women’s rights have historically fought the uniformity of male privilege and each step forward has been in a specific socio-economic and political context. Admittedly in India, in the 75th year of our independence, the legal framework for women’s rights, though certainly vastly improved, is still ridden with discriminations, biases and cultural prejudice. There is little doubt that much needs to be done.

US-India Military Deals in PM’s US Visit

TWO major headline-grabbing defence equipment deals, the focus of this article, were signed during the PM’s recent State visit to the US.The US is to sell 31 unmanned armed Reaper MQ-9B drones to India, 15 for the navy and eight each for the army and air force. The drones, long sought by India, would provide a new and substantial intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability and, when necessary, the ability to strike at targets on land and on or under the sea-surface.

Smart Electricity Metering Project: A Deceptive Theft

THE Indian power sector has undergone a complex and challenging journey of anti-people, anti-national reforms in recent decades. . The Electricity Act of 2003 was introduced with the aim of reducing government intervention in the regulation of the electricity business, opening doors for potential privatisation.

Remembering Daniel Ellsberg

DANIEL Ellsberg, an inspiration to the Vietnam generation of the 60s and 70s for his leaking of the Pentagon papers, died at 92 of pancreatic cancer. He refused medicines as he knew that, at best, it would extend his life only by a few months, preferring to die with his family and friends.

Foodgrain Production Rising, But Procurement, PDS in Doldrums

It seems the government is moving toward diluting the subsidised foodgrain distribution.

Centre Imposes Economic Sanction on Kerala

THE central government's decision to reduce the annual public borrowing of the state government is an assault on the state's public finances. According to the prevailing FRBM Act, state governments have the right to borrow up to 3 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from the market. Additionally, due to the state's compliance with certain electricity sector conditions imposed by the central government, the state is entitled to an additional borrowing of 0.5 per cent of the GSDP.

Let Them Eat Fortified Rice...

THE 75th year of independence heard the announcement, from the ramparts of Red Fort, that poor Indian people were to be given rice fortified with iron and vitamins through the public distribution system (PDS), the school midday meals scheme and other government programmes. The ostensible reason for this declaration made in 2021, was the reduction of malnutrition and anaemia in the population out there.

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