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<ul><li>A series of political innovations will not just help sustainable economics and new age digital brands foster in India but they will ensure a sustainable model of policymaking is possible.</li><li>Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be adopted to provide non-partisan data-centric governance recommendations for Parliamentary Standing Committees.</li><li>Political start-ups should make their constituents the people they serve rather than political industrial complexes that cater to a select coterie. </li></ul>Rains have taken the financial capital by storm only to remind us of the historic deluge in 2005, but our national capital is yet to convene for the monsoon session of Parliament. It is expected to begin from September 14 (in order for the Parliament to be in compliance with Article 85 of the Constitution, the Parliament needs to convene before 23 September for the monsoon session). The COVID-19 pandemic has made technology indispensable. From leveraging technology to drive businesses, this pandemic has guided us to use technology to sustain businesses. This shift towards an increased reliance towards tech-enabled business models is in sync with the digitisation push of the government. Policymaking go virtual or “phygital” A ‘Digital India’ is emerging that is creating records in uncharted territories. Though these digital feats are another feather in India’s decorated cap, these digital realities create their own rules as public policy is not clearly defined when it comes to technology, digital geographies and data privacy. With these dualities in sight I believe that a series of political innovations will not just help sustainable economics and new age digital brands foster in India but they will ensure a sustainable model of policymaking is possible – one that is sanitized, secure and accountable (even in the time between two elections). Technology can help manage constituencies better Between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official app to Aarogya Setu (the government’s COVID-19 tracker) to an app dedicated to farmers and many more such platforms, there is enough data on the citizens, which is at the government’s disposal. This becomes an empowering force that elected representatives (and other relevant institutions) can use to understand constituents’ needs and preferences, just the way businesses use data to understand the customers’ needs. Such digital solutions have the capacity to augment effective resource allocation, ensure compliance and use real-time constituency data to allocate need-based budgets. It has to be non-partisan Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be adopted to provide non-partisan data-centric governance recommendations for Parliamentary Standing Committees, voter turnouts percentages for political parties and other behavioural trends for the Members of Parliament. This will not only help in efficient impact assessment and analysing constituency data but it will also introduce digital checks to the flow of funds – thereby making public servants accountable to the people of Bharat. While the administration can use such information to target solutions, such technology should not be under the control of any single division of the Government in order to ensure that there is a maker-checker mechanism in place. This platform should be non-partisan, though rooted in our cultural ideals and the teaching of the constitution. Parliamentarians working from home can stay connected with their constituents With the pandemic forcing politicians to work from home, adoption of such tech-enabled governance measures can create alternative feedback mechanisms that will allow leaders to stay in touch with constituents. This, in turn, will not just assist new age voters to retain their faith in the democratic ideals of India (and will drive them to actively participate in nation-building), but will also lay the foundation stone for making policy-making “phygital”. Here's what policy-makers can learn from start-ups At a time when India needs clarity more than ever, I believe that policy-making must be rooted in (citizens) data and healthy competition. This competition can be ushered by the growth of political start-ups that can foster innovation. These political start-ups should make their constituents the people they serve rather than political industrial complexes that cater to a select coterie. You might be thinking that I am talking about the cropping up of a new set-up. Not necessarily. Political intrapreneurs within established political brands can spearhead this by cultivating a culture that is sowing the roots of tomorrow and is action oriented (not just driven by slogans, management skills and digital marketing). These political start-ups might be tempted to play the valuations game (in this case the art of corporate donations funding elections); but should refrain from doing so. A stronger collaboration between the Centre and the States along with capitalising on the vibrant innovative start-up ecosystem that is brewing in India can create sufficient political capital for the future. These political innovations will ensure that India can thrive in the digital economy and will help it to fortify itself from the bear market going forward. And along the way make sure its digital ecosystem is not just tech-enabled, but also accountable. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

There is enough data available to make policies effective and politics cleaner ⁠— and India's vibrant startups can help

<ul><li>India’s central public sector enterprises will exist only in ‘strategic sectors’ where the government role will be important.</li><li>The Narendra Modi government has decided to use the COVID-19 crisis to merge or privatise many of these and expose them to private competition. </li><li>There are 339 public sector enterprises in India.</li></ul>There are 339 public sector enterprises in India and often at the receiving end of the argument that the ‘government has no business being in business’. However, the Narendra Modi government has decided to use the COVID-19 crisis to merge or privatise many of these and expose them to private competition. India’s central public sector enterprises will exist only in ‘strategic sectors’ where the government role will be important. But there will be two different sets. Here’s how it will work. <ol><li>In one set, there will be at least one central public sector company which will compete with private players. </li><li>In the second set, there won’t be more than four public sector enterprises and private players will be allowed. </li></ol>“If there are sectors where there are too many government companies, they will be brought together in such a way that there won't be more than four. A detailed policy will soon be issued,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said but stopped short of mentioning what these sectors will be. <a href="https://dpe.gov.in/about-us/divisions/list-maharatna-navratna-and-miniratna-cpses">Here’s the list of total of all the central public sector enterprises in India.</a> These are the list of Maharatna PSUs in India <ul><li>Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)</li><li>National Thermal Power Corporation ( NTPC)</li><li>Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)</li><li>Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) </li><li>Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)</li><li>Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)</li><li>Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)</li><li>Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID)</li><li>Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)</li><li>Coal India Limited (CIL)</li></ul>As of March, 2019 the net worth of all CPSEs in India stood at ₹12.08 lakh crore. The government has already begun the process of privatisation of several public companies. Air India – the government-owned airline – has been on the block for a while now. Aside from this, there are also pending proposals to sell the central government stake in companies like BPCL, Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), and Container Corporation of India (Concor). It is not clear as of now whether the new reforms will affect these decisions. During the budget announcements in February 2020, the Indian government had set a target of gaining ₹2.1 lakh crore from disinvestments by FY21. This is even after in the previous financial year, the government had to revise its targets from ₹1.05 lakh crore to ₹65,000 crore. An <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/dipam-may-look-at-sale-of-smaller-cpses-to-meet-fy21-disinvestment-target/articleshow/75323885.cms">ET report</a> had quoted an official from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) who said that the government is looking at the “option of strategic sale of smaller CPSEs to their sector counterparts.” See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/top-100-universities-to-go-online-tv-channels-for-students-special-content-for-visually-and-hearing-impaired/articleshow/75785494.cms">100 universities to go online, TV channels for students, special content for visually and hearing impaired - India's big boost for education during Covid-19</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/india-puts-a-pause-on-new-bankruptcy-cases-for-a-year-and-other-changes-that-will-cap-the-rise-in-bad-loans/articleshow/75785508.cms">India puts a pause on new bankruptcy cases for a year ⁠— and other changes that will cap the rise in bad loans</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/india-to-increase-expenditure-on-health-will-set-up-public-health-labs-at-block-levels-in-all-districts/articleshow/75785483.cms">India to increase expenditure on health — will set up public health labs at block levels in all districts</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

India will reduce the number of central government companies⁠— some of them will get bigger and some will be sold to private players

<ul><li>Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced that the government will make amends to the Essential Commodities Act. </li><li>The FM said that through the amendments better price realisation will be made possible for farmers and cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato will be deregulated.</li><li>The act was brought into place in 1955 for the control of the production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce, in certain commodities. The act is applicable to the whole of India.</li></ul>Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today announced that the government will be making changes to the Essential Commodities Act. The FM said that through the amendments better price realisation will be made possible for farmers and cereals, edible oils, oilseeds, pulses, onions and potato will be deregulated. Stock limits will be imposed only under exceptional circumstances like national calamities, famine with a surge in prices. No such stock limit shall apply to processors or value chain participants, or to any exporter subject to export demand. What is the Essential Commodities Act that was initially implemented in 1955? The act was brought into place for the control of the production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce, in certain commodities. The act is applicable to the whole of India. Under the act, the government of India controls the price of essential commodities, and can also decide to increase or decrease the supply of the product in the market. It also gives the government to regulate through licences, permits or otherwise the storage, transport, distribution, disposal, acquisition, use or consumption of any essential commodity. Through this act, the government does not need any legislation or debate to increase prices of food products across the country. However, in recent years the Essential Commodities Act has come under a lot of debate. It has also been called ‘<a href="https://theprint.in/opinion/draconian-essential-commodities-act-needs-to-go-if-india-wants-to-raise-farm-incomes/183006/">draconian</a>’ by certain sections as it gives the government complete control. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/essential-commodities-act-to-deregulate-price-of-potatoes-onions-and-pulses/articleshow/75758676.cms">India proposes to deregulate prices of onions, potatoes, pulses and other essential food — prices won’t be capped and one can store as much as needed</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-live-updates-from-third-tranche-modi-20-lakh-crore-stimulus/articleshow/75756781.cms">These are the top takeaways from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's third installment from Modi's ₹20 lakh crore stimulus</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

What is the Essential Commodities Act – the 65-year old act that FM Nirmala Sitharaman said will now be amended

<ul><li>Uddhav Thackeray will take oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra with support from Sharad Pawar's NCP and the Indian National Congress.</li><li>The three parties differ in their ideologies and therefore have decided to arrive at a 'common minimum programme'.</li><li>Given the state's rural distress, financial aid for farmers cannot be ruled out.</li></ul>A month long political drama has come to an end paving the way for Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This is a historic moment for the Thackeray family, which has been politically significant in the state for decades but never had a member on the hot seat. Thackeray has got to this point with support from Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and the Indian National Congress. All three parties differ in their ideologies and therefore have decided to arrive at a 'common minimum programme' in a bid to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party out of power. Given the state's rural distress, financial aid for farmers cannot be ruled out. "There has been significant political discourse around farm stress in last few weeks. Farm loan waiver can potentially could be the first order of the business of the new government," a Macquarie research report said. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 <div type="image" title="Nagpur: NCP President Sharad Pawar interacts with farmers during a visit to Khap..." msid="72272944" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;NCP President Sharad Pawar interacts with farmers during a visit to Khapa village to inspect damaged crops, in Nagpur district of Maharashtra.Photo) (&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>





























 This has implication for the state's financial health. An estimated ₹50,000 crore farm loan waiver, spread over 2 years, will push the state's fiscal deficit beyond 3%. Fiscal deficit is the amount of money a government spends over and above its earnings and it's advised by law that any government (state or central) should keep the excess spending to less than 3% over its earnings. Maharashtra's budget deficit is already at a four-year high, which means the government has been spending a lot more than it earns. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 While the farm crisis in the state does warrant immediate attention, a farm loan will increase the deficit and reduce the money available for growth projects like building infrastructure. In the last three years, Mumbai has seen an explosion of infrastructure projects which are in various stages of completion. Roads have been dug up across the city causing traffic snarls but people have been hopeful that the temporary pain will make way for easier commute in the future. For instance, 274 kilometres (km) of metro-rail network is under construction. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 <div type="image" title="Mumbai: A view of a construction site of a metro train parking shed at Aarey Col..." msid="72272112" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A view of a construction site of a metro train parking shed at Aarey Colony, Mumbai. The Supreme Court on Monday restrained authorities from cutting any more trees in Mumbai&amp;#39;s Aarey colony for a Metro car shed before further hearing on Oct. 21.Photo)(&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>























































 In the particular case of the metro rail shed construction in the Aarey colony (a rare green cover in the mega city), the incoming coalition will be tested on its will to reverse the decision. The previous government had bulldozed opposition from the citizens to the cutting of about 2,0000 trees for the construction of the shed, while all opposition parties paid nothing more than lip-service to the cause. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
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 Aside from the metro rail construction in the capital city, there are also other marquee projects like the upcoming airport in Navi Mumbai, the high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur as well as Mumbai and Ahmedabad (in the neighbouring state of Gujarat) that will be in focus. As rivals of BJP, the parties in the incoming coalition have time and again criticised these ambitious projects heralded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the top NCP leadership, the three parties have decided that the money which is to be given by the state government for the Bullet Train will be diverted to the farmer welfare scheme as it is part of the common minimum programme they have agreed on, the IANS reported on Tuesday. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 <div type="image" title="Bullet train" msid="72272606" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The upcoming airport in Navi Mumbai, the high-speed rail corridor between Mumbai and Nagpur as well as Mumbai and Ahmedabad (in the neighbouring state of Gujarat) will be in focus as rivals of BJP, the parties in the incoming coalition, have time and again criticised these ambitious projects heralded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







































 The good news is that the Navi Mumbai airport and the Trans-harbour sea link may not get stalled, according to Macquarie, but the pace of approvals may slowdown delaying the projects. The international financial services firm believes that the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress combine will be more favourable to the builders in the state and that will be music to the ears for the state's real estate sector that has been in shambles for a while now. It is important that Maharashtra's economy keeps moving at a fast pace because it is the largest contributor to India's GDP (gross domestic product). And already, Maharashtra's contribution to India's GDP is at a multi-year low at 14%. That's a significant setback for the state that is home to the country's financial capital. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/article/maharashtra-state-assembly-elections-2019-debate-veer-savarkar-or-jobs/articleshow/71644079.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">These are the issues the opposition could have capitalised on but didn’t</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Here's what to expect from the new government in Maharashtra

As many as 360 infrastructure projects, each worth Rs 150 crore or more, have shown cost overruns to the tune of over Rs 3.88 lakh crore owing to delays and other reasons, a report said. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation monitors infrastructure projects worth Rs 150 crore and above. Of these 1,608 projects, 360 reported cost overruns and 550 time escalation. "Total original cost of implementation of the 1608 projects was Rs 19,17,796.07 crore and their anticipated completion cost is likely to be Rs 23,05,860.33 crore, which reflects overall cost overruns of Rs 3,88,064.26 crore (20.23% of original cost)," the ministry's latest report for June 2019 said. According to the report, expenditure incurred on these projects till June 2019 stood at Rs 9,35,021.39 crore, which is 40.55 per cent of the anticipated cost of the projects. However, it said the number of delayed projects decreases to 474 if delay is calculated on the basis of latest schedule of completion. Further, it said that for 644 projects neither the year of commissioning nor the tentative gestation period has been reported. Out of 550 delayed projects, 182 projects have overall delay in the range of 1 to 12 months, 119 projects 13 to 24 months, 133 projects reflect delay in the range of 25 to 60 months and 116 projects show delay of 61 months and above. The average time overrun in these 550 delayed projects is 39.24 months. The brief reasons for time overruns, as reported by various project implementing agencies, are delays in land acquisition, forest clearance and supply of equipment. Besides, there are other reasons like fund constraints, geological surprises, geo-mining conditions, slow progress in civil works, shortage of labour, inadequate mobilisation by the contractor, Maoist problems, court cases, contractual issues, ROU/ROW (right of use/right of way) problems, law and order situation, among others, the report said. It also observed that project agencies are not reporting revised cost estimates and commissioning schedules for many projects, which suggests that time/cost overrun figures are under-reported.<meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

360 infra projects in India show cost overruns of ₹3.88 trillion

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday said lynching is a "western construct" and should not be used in the Indian context to defame the country.Addressing the Vijayadashmi function of the RSS at Reshimbagh ground in Maharashtra's Nagpur city, he said the word 'lynching' does not originate from Indian ethos but comes from a separate religious text, and such terms should not be imposed on Indians. He also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the government's move to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, but said some vested interests do not want the country to be strong and vibrant. Voicing his displeasure over several incidents of mob violence in the country, he said, "Lynching is not the word from Indian ethos, its origin is from a story in a separate religious text. We Indians trust in brotherhood. Don't impose such terms on Indians." "Lynching itself is a western construct and one shouldn't use it in the Indian context to defame the country," he said. Bhagwat urged citizens to create harmony, and that everyone should live within confines of law. "Swayamsevaks are brought up with that sanskar," he said. He said in the past few years, there has been transformation in "direction of thought process of Bharat". "There are many people in the world and in Bharat as well, who don't want this. A developed Bharat creates fear in the minds of vested interests...such forces will also not want Bharat to be strong and vibrant," the RSS chief said. Even well-meaning policies, statements from persons in government and administration were being misused to benefit nefarious designs by vested interests, he rued. "We must be alert in identifying these plots and counter them on intellectual and social levels," he said. Bhagwat said the world was eager to know if the 2019 elections in such a huge country will be conducted smoothly. "Democracy in India is not something imported from any country, but a practice which has been prevalent here since centuries," Bhagwat said. He said India's borders were now safer than ever, and more focus was needed on coastal security. "The number of guards and check-posts on land borders and surveillance along the maritime border, especially on islands, have to be increased," he said. On concerns over the economic sector, he said the slowing down of world economy has left its impact everywhere. "The government has taken initiatives to tide over the situation in the last one-and-a-half months. Our society is entrepreneurial and will overcome these challenges," he added. In the morning, Bhagwat performed 'shastra puja' at the Sangh's annual Vijayadashmi event here. HCL founder Shiv Nadar was the chief guest for this year's event. Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Gen V K Singh (retd) and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were among those present at the event. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

RSS' Mohan Bhagawat calls lynching a 'Western construct' and shouldn't be used to defame India

<ul><li>The Indian environment ministry issued a letter to states and union territories informing them that there is no imminent ban on single-use plastics. </li><li>It also clarified that the ban would not affect multi-layered packaging, normally used for food and beverages. </li><li>The document shared by ministry outlines action points to achieve the goal of eliminating single-use plastic by 2022. </li></ul>Companies in India were anxious about the government implementing a nation-wide ban on plastic but it seems there are no plans to announce any such restrictions — for now. The environment ministry issued a document to states and union territories (UTs) clarifying that there is no ban on single-use plastics but that the country is still planning on eliminating their use by 2022, according to <a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/plastic-curbs-to-spare-multi-layered-packaging/cid/1709407">The Telegraph</a>, "There is now a need to take it (the awareness) to a new level and ensure that by 2022, we eliminate single-use plastic from our society," stated Environment Secretary Chandra Kishore Mishra in the letter. The ministry outlines that states need to implement legislative interventions and behavioural changes to wean people away from consuming <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/In-some-countries-people-face-jail-time-for-using-plastic-bags-Here-are-all-the-places-that-have-banned-plastic-bags-and-straws-so-far-/articleshow/68712914.cms">single-use plastics</a>. Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi’s call to action during India’s 73rd <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/topic/Independence-day">Independence Day</a> had businesses in India worried about the potential economic impact. If such a ban were to be implemented, it would affect <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/here-are-all-the-things-you-wont-be-able-to-use-after-india-bans-single-use-plastics/articleshow/71375802.cms">everyday items</a> like plastic cups and plastic plates at food stalls, packaging on biscuits and sodas, and small bottles. Food and beverages are safe The environment ministry also clarified that any planned guidelines to curb the consumption of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=single+use+plastic&amp;sortorder=score&amp;curpg=1">single-use plastic</a>s will not apply to multi-layered plastic packaging, which is commonly used to package products like food and beverages. During the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indian-pm-endorses-iit-camera-to-catch-inattentive-mps-in-parliament/articleshow/71376832.cms">Singapore-India Hackathon</a> at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) on 30 September 2019, Modi clarified that he was exclusively campaigning against single-use plastic and not a plastic-free india. "Some people, by mistake, are talking about plastic-free India. I have not said this. I have said that single-use plastic, which comes to use only once, causes a lot of problems," explained Modi. The environment ministry pointed out that only <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/which-states-in-india-have-banned-plastic/articleshow/70218756.cms">five states</a> — Maharashtra, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh — currently have legislation in place to regulate plastic waste. It has asked other states to plan on introduce restrictions on plastic use to curate a list of products that they plan to on restricting. It also clarified that there may not be a requirement to ban plastic bottles, like the ones used for packaging water and sodas, and that the focus should be on making sure the bottles are recyclable and can be reprocessed. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/article/amazon-flipkart-and-bigbasket-are-racing-to-eliminate-single-use-plastic-from-their-supply-chain/articleshow/71402437.cms">Big Basket ahead of e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart in eliminating single use plastics</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/here-are-all-the-things-you-wont-be-able-to-use-after-india-bans-single-use-plastics/articleshow/71375802.cms">Here are all the things you won't be able to use after India bans single-use plastics</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/mount-everest-will-turn-into-a-plastic-free-zone-by-2020-as-nepal-bans-it/articleshow/70780916.cms">Mount Everest will turn into a plastic-free zone by 2020 as Nepal bans it</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

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There is enough data available to make policies effective and politics cleaner ⁠— and India's vibrant startups can help

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Here's what to expect from the new government in Maharashtra

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360 infra projects in India show cost overruns of ₹3.88 trillion

RSS' Mohan Bhagawat calls lynching a 'Western construct' and shouldn't be used to defame India

India won’t be banning plastic — for now

Prabhjote Gill