Government

Unification overwhelms the trifurcation of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Is it healthy for democracy?

In addition to the three-pillar framework suggested by the Fifteenth Finance Commission, we suggest four constituents, namely the finance commission, NITI Aayog, goods and services tax, and de facto decentralisation, which will help strengthen the “cooperative” element—a key factor for Indian federation to work effectively. Further, the article focuses on finance commissions empowering the local governments and, in particular, assesses the Fifteenth Finance Commission’s thrust to empower the local bodies.

The frequent promulgation of ordinances is detrimental for a constitutional democracy.

The law pertaining to direct-selling businesses prevailing in India is in dire need of transformation. A critical examination of the definitions (related to direct-selling), the primary cause of concern, followed by the inept Direct Selling Guidelines issued in 2016 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is undertaken here. Focusing on the regulatory aspect of this business model, a case is made for a specialised regulator for direct-selling entities.

Although there were some responses from the government and community sociocultural organisations to deal with an unforeseen crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, it brought enormous challenges in the everyday life of indigenous peoples of Tripura. In this article, the everyday challenges faced by the rural indigenous peoples of Tripura during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the immediate response by the government and community sociocultural organisations are unravelled.