From Kautilya’s Arthashastra to Mughal policies and British non-intervention, India’s response to supply shocks has long been defined by the role of the state.
A liquid commodity derivatives market is essential for clear price signals. By retaining discretionary government control, the Bill blocks its development.
West Bengal invoked the Essential Commodities Act to impose restrictions on potato's storage, trade, and transport. It pits consumers in Kolkata against those in Guwahati, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar.
NCRB data shows that states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, UP and Tamil Nadu witnessed a massive jump in cases related to the Essential Commodities Act.
Prices of pulses have seen sustained inflation this year, hovering above the Rs 100/kg in the retail market. Govt move comes ahead of gradual unlocking, with the festival season just weeks away.
The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 may not be so detrimental to the farmers producing surpluses. It is the consumers who may have to worry.
The Standing Committee on Food, chaired by TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, recommended the government to implement the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.
The bill gives the Centre the power to designate certain commodities like food items, fertilisers and petroleum products as essential commmodities and regulate their production, supply, distribution, and trade.
Modi govt has made actual legal changes to implement its policy statements on agriculture reforms. It should now plug loopholes to realise their full potential.
IOC, BPCL, and HPCL have lost about Rs 20,000 crore due to the fuel price freeze. These losses will accumulate on balance sheets, raise borrowing costs, and circle back to the govt as contingent liabilities.
Report on impact of AI emergence—drawing upon depositions from several ministries—confirms that the developments come in the absence of AI laws or considerations over them.
It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.
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