Policy

Best of BS Opinion: A sobering set of data reveals India's infirmities

From low workers' wages to suspect GDP to scary rankings for pilot training schools to self-serving protectionism, today's pieces paint a sobering picture of what ails India economy and policy

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini launches State Environment Plan 2025-26

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday launched the State Environment Plan (SEP) 202526, calling it a significant milestone in the state's journey towards sustainable development and environmental protection. Unveiled at an event in Panchkula, the SEP aims to position Haryana as a frontrunner in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at both national and international levels. The plan provides a comprehensive analysis of the state's environmental landscape, covering critical sectors including agriculture, waste management, transport, industry, air and noise pollution, and biodiversity. The SEP has been jointly developed by the Haryana State Pollution Control Board, the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD), and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). At the event, Saini also released a high-impact report titled "A Dual Strategy Sprint Towards Sustainability: Non-CO2 Pathways for Haryana." The report calls for a twin-track approach that ..

Amit Shah unveils policy to set up one cooperative unit in every village

The policy aimed to strengthen grassroots cooperative units and ensure inclusive growth, especially among villages, farmers, women, Dalits, and tribal communities

US bans flu shots with thimerosal in RFK Jr led vaccine policy shift

About 5 per cent of flu shots given in the US in the last flu season were multi-dose vials that contained the preservative, which was largely phased out decades ago

Chhattisgarh passes Jan Vishwas Bill, boosts ease of doing business

The Bill aims to decriminalise minor technical violations by citizens and business owners. Offences committed under newly introduced Bill will attract monetary penalties, instead of criminal charges

The art of meetings: Cabinet secretary offers progressive suggestions

By encouraging a structured approach to interactions with non-officials, the aim, no doubt, is to make the bureaucracy more proactive and responsive to the needs of the people

Only 1 in 4 US adults say Trump's policies helped them: AP-NORC poll

Only about one-quarter of US adults say that President Donald Trump's policies have helped them since he took office, according to a new poll that finds underwhelming marks for him on key issues, including the economy, immigration, government spending and health care. In fact, the Republican president fails to earn majority approval on any of the issues included in the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. He's even slipped slightly since earlier this year on immigration, which has consistently been a strength for him in his second term. And while a majority of Americans do see Trump as at least somewhat capable of getting things done following the passage of his sprawling budget bill, fewer believe he understands the problems facing people like them. Most don't see positive impact from Trump's policies Roughly half of US adults report that Trump's policies have done more to hurt them since his second term began six months ago, the survey found. Ab

Government proposes to open TRP market, invites public feedback by Aug 1

In a bid to encourage competition, the government has proposed to remove entry barriers for companies keen to foray in the sector of television viewership measurement ecosystem. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed amendments to the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies-2014 to ensure that the TRP system reflects the diverse and evolving media consumption habits of viewers across the country. The proposed changes include the deletion of key clauses 1.5 and 1.7 that earlier restricted cross-holdings between rating agencies and broadcasters, advertisers, or advertising agencies. The Ministry has invited feedback on the draft amendments by August 1 from viewers, broadcasters, advertisers or concerned citizens. The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is the only agency providing TV ratings, but it does not track connected TV device viewership, despite it being a major trend. Currently, India has approximately 230 million television households.

China's central bank vows faster policy response to economic conditions

The world's No.2 economy has faced pressure this year due to U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on Chinese products and persistent deflationary pressure at home

Govt sets up committee to frame broad contours of manufacturing mission

The government has set up an inter-ministerial committee to frame the broad contours of the proposed national manufacturing mission, announced in the Budget in February, an official said. The committee, established under the chairmanship of Niti Aayog CEO B V R Subrahmanyam, is holding a series of stakeholder consultations. On February 1, the government announced the setting up of the mission to further promote the Make in India initiative. The mission's mandate will include five focus areas: ease and cost of doing business; future-ready workforce for in-demand jobs; a vibrant and dynamic MSME sector; availability of technology; and quality products. It will also cover small, medium and large industries. "Stakeholders' consultations are on, including with states and domestic industry. The committee will look at the framework of the mission," the official added. The country's manufacturing accounts for about 16-17 per cent of the GDP, and the government is looking to increase the .

To turn crisis into opportunity, India needs a reform playbook reboot

India must revisit how reforms are designed, executed and shared between the Centre and states, if it wants to seize the global moment and boost long-term economic growth

A Ministry of Finance for 21st century: Restructuring for future challenges

Finance ministries worldwide drive economic reforms. It's time to restructure India's to meet the challenges of tomorrow

Govt to scale up remote village innovations to create equal opportunities

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said innovations originating in remote villages will be scaled up to create equal opportunities and resources and asserted grassroots innovators are being acknowledged for the first time in India under the Narendra Modi government. The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology was addressing the silver jubilee celebration of the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous institute under Department of Science and Technology of the Centre. "Prime Minister Modi's commitment to 'Virasat Bhi aur Vikas Bhi' integrates India's exclusive traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology," said Singh, who also released a postal stamp, a magazine titled 'Innovation frontline' and a coffee table book on the occasion. "Innovations originating in remote villages will be scaled up, ensuring equal opportunities and resources as available in urban areas," an official release quoted Singh as saying. He applauded India's transformation from

Trump 2.0: Fate of climate policy amid shifting global priorities

The developing world may suffer a double whammy. Advanced nations, such as EU and UK, would be squeezing them by applying stringent sustainability measures having trans-border implications

MP announces drone policy, incentives to become manufacturing hub

Capital subsidy of up to 40 per cent (maximum Rs 30 crore) will be provided to entrepreneurs setting up drone-manufacturing units in the state

Need policy framework to help states fund parametric insurance: Surbhi Goel

Parametric (or index-based) insurance is a type of coverage that focuses on the likelihood or probability of a loss-causing event occurring, rather than indemnifying the actual losses sustained

FISME recommends govt measures to address impact of protectionist policies

During a meeting with Chief Economic Advisor V Nageswaran, FISME representatives outlined several key recommendations to address these pressing issues

Modified policy to revive ageing oilfields expected to be out in 2025

Policy may stop sliding production at older fields pumping out the majority of domestic oil

New Rajasthan policy targets Rs 1.5 trillion goods exports by 2029

The goods exports stood at over Rs 83,704 crore as of FY24. The move will promote initiatives to elevate product quality and facilitate certification of exported goods

More funds sought for MGNREGA if budget falls short: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Civil society says claims of timely release, funds increase misleading; threaten protest from December 6