30 October 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words:
1) In India, allocation of precious natural resources to public and private companies has generated controversy and judicial intervention thanks to issues such as corruption and opaqueness in allocation. Critically examine what measures the government has taken so far to address these issues and bring transparency in allocation of these resources.
2) Examine how electronic toll collection (ETC) centres work. Explain their importance in India.
3) The double-taxation avoidance agreements, which India has signed with many countries was in news recently. Examine how this treaty is beneficial to India and its citizens.
4) “In recent months, some of domestic compulsions have forced the Indian government to take tough stand at some of international fora and have pushed it to breach some of bilateral and multilateral treaties.” Examine if these steps taken by the Indian government are justified.
5) Recently the Indian government put a cap on the amount of food-grains to be procured from states and also offloaded stored grains in domestic and foreign markets. Explain the implications of these measures on the food sector and on the centre-state relations.
6) The USA has expressed apprehensions regarding the opening of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank by China and at the same time some analysts have suggested that the USA should join the bank instead of criticising it. Examine why.
7) Critically comment on the ethical and legal aspects associated with the treatment of undertrials by the authorities in India.
8) Do you agree with the view that the CAG should not sensationalise its findings and that it should not talk about notional losses while estimating loss to the state”s exchequer? Critically comment.
9) Examine how the recently announced changes to MGNREGA scheme fit with the objectives of labour reform measures that the government announced recently.
