Indian Authorities Research Articles

Environmental Regulatory Authorities in India: An Analysis

Environmental regulatory authorities in India are post-constitutional development. It allowed for a nationally regulated and state-coordinated governance of environment. Federally speaking, while ‘right to decide’ belongs to the centre, states have authority to execute and act upon central decisions in a manner provided under such decisions. The present article analyses the major environmental enactments and structural and functional dimensions of different regulatory authorities both at the national and state levels. Methodologically, primary reliance has been made on acts and orders. The article argues that environmental governance at once is a matter of standardisation of rules and norms of conduct, regulation of policies and activities having considerable bearings on environmental protection and coordinating activities of state and non-state actors. The article concludes that environmental governance is extremely loaded in favour of the centre.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was created in the onrush of such agencies following the paradigm shift from Indian Socialism to business liberalism and globalisation in 1991. The study of its functioning shows it to be less than adequately autonomous and less than sufficiently overseen by the parliament and its committee system. As a regulatory mechanism for the information and communication technology sector, TRAI’s importance cannot ever be overstressed in the context of the gradual transformation of India’s industrial society into information and knowledge society. In a way, in the long trajectory of the transformation of the public sphere in the course of the transition from feudal oligarchy to bourgeois democracy, the telecom space can be seen as the new frontier to be explored and harnessed in expanding and deepening democracy. The existing structure of TRAI falls short on the parameters of transparency, efficiency, autonomy and accountability, calling for reforms.

A Study on Effect of Pollutants on Land and River Due to Discharge of Paper Packaging Factory Waste Water in Erode District by Using Gis

In our project mentioned and studied approximately the types of units involved inside the paper packaging manufacturing facility with exclusive tactics are concerned in it and the work done in these procedures. Acquire the wastewater and the sources of wastewater in exceptional procedures and also the effect of this waste count number on the ecosystem. Those industries discharge wastewater that is characterized with the aid of excessive chemical detail element demand, organic element demand, vitamins, and natural and inorganic contents. Such wastewaters, if discharged also has no longer correct treatment, seriously dirty receiving water our bodies and disrupts complete scheme. Moreover, the Indian authorities has imposed terribly strict regulations and rules for effluent discharge to save ecology. As a result, suitable remedies ways are required therefore on meet the effluent discharge standards

Financial Contagion and Globalization: Evidence from South Asian Countries

This study investigates the contagion and globalization between the South Asian (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) and five largest economies (US, UK, China, Japan and Germany) stock markets. Daily stock returns data from 1st July 1997 to 30th June 2015 consisting of total 4695 observation is analyzed. DCC GARCH is applied to calculate the conditional correlation coefficients to overcome the issue of heteroscedasticity. Null hypothesis of no globalization got rejected eleven times out of twenty while the hypothesis of no contagion got rejected six times. Further analysis of conditional correlation coefficients confirmed the impact of 9/11 attacks, Subprime mortgage crises and Europeans debt crises on the Indian market. Impact of 9/11 attacks also found on Pakistani and Sri Lankan stock exchanges, while Dhaka stock exchange remained independent of all shocks. In sum, the South Asian stock markets remained isolated from the global shocks except India. Isolation of South Asian stock markets from the global shocks is due to their lower integration with the global markets. This study provides some useful recommendations to the investors and policy makers. Results suggests that Indian stock exchange get contagion impact from the major economies, so authorities of India should have to take measure to decouple the market from the global shocks. The markets of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are not properly integrated with global financial system, so the authorities of these countries should have to take proper steps to liberalize the markets. This paper presents the first empirical study on financial contagion and globalization of South Asian countries.

Parliamentary Oversight of Independent Regulatory Authorities in India

Independent regulatory authorities have become an important component of the governance landscape in India and elsewhere. Some regulators have achieved useful outcomes in India. However, the creation of independent sectoral regulators in India has not been accompanied by critical reflection on their role, or attention to the political, legal and institutional contexts within which they operate. Lessons can be learnt from mature regulatory policy countries, such as the USA, the UK and Australia, that the regulatory environment needs to be constantly evaluated to make sure it is keeping pace with the changing technology, business environment and consumer needs and demands. Despite the number of bodies in India that are involved or responsible for regulatory reform, there is one function that seems to be missing and that is of a central oversight function. Most countries have an explicit whole of government regulatory policy and an oversight body, sometimes more than one, that is/are responsible for embedding some of the systemic tools across different parts of the government machinery.

Collaborators! Aftermath of Wartime Support for the INA among Indians in China

This article discusses the plight of the Indian community in China after the World War II. During the World War II, a sizeable number of Indian immigrants in China had been mobilised under the banner of the Indian National Army (INA), which was fighting for freedom from British colonial rule in alliance with Japan. This article seeks to understand the complex problems faced by the Indians in China in the aftermath of the War both because of the general dislocation they had suffered on account of war and occupation, and also because of their active or passive participation in a movement seen as ‘collaborationist’. It looks at how, for the British, Chinese and even Indian authorities, the issue of their status as ‘collaborators’ coloured the humanitarian issue of providing relief to a severely afflicted community. It also attempts to show how the wartime political activities of Indians in China not only had immediate consequences for them but also in some cases had an afterlife, which lasted for quite a few years after the War.

Responding to 4G telecom pricing war: ignore, accommodate or retaliate

Subject area Marketing, Pricing, Strategic marketing. Study level/applicability The case is developed for an MBA-level program. Case overview In May 2017, the telecom industry in India witnessed an intense price war over 4G (fourth generation) data prices. Gopal Vittal, CEO of Bharti Airtel was exploring various options on how best to respond to the situation. He had to take a final call regarding Bharti Airtel’s marketing team’s counter move to tackle this price war by Jio – should Bharti Airtel ignore it, accommodate it or retaliate with even lower prices? Bharti Airtel strongly believed that Jio pricing structure had violated “fair pricing” norms, and its pricing was anti-competitive. It had filed a case with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to restrain Jio from further giving “free” promotional offers and penalize it for it. Could the legal recourse by Bharti Airtel dampen Jio’s consistent subscriber growth rate? Expected learning outcomes The case provides the students with an insight into how the competition focused on pricing happens in the telecom industry. The pricing war affects the profit margin of all competing companies. It changes the customer reference point for evaluating the competing products and services. The students would also learn practical applications of positive-sum pricing, pricing war, fair pricing and legal aspects of pricing. This case provides the students with an opportunity to understand the pricing war and how to respond to it in a particular situation; understand positive-sum pricing and negative-sum pricing in telecom industry context; understand legal aspects of pricing; and how to leverage data for gaining newer customer insights. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 8: Marketing.

Institutional Design of Select Competition Authorities in South Asia: Identifying Challenges and Opportunities

The development of a robust competition regime that ensures effective implementation of competition policy principles and promotes creation of a healthy competition culture depends on several factors. Primarily, it demands ‘optimally designed’ institutions. The South Asian block depicts a wide array of challenges and opportunities in this regard, and we attempt to offer an in-depth analysis into the designs of competition authorities in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. From this, an important stage-specific ‘framework of challenges and opportunities’ emerges and is presented to sensitize emerging jurisdictions about the general nature of obstacles and help identify possible focus areas for design optimisation.

Single Economic Entity Doctrine in India

Does the Competition Act 2002 contemplate exclusion of Single Economic Entity Doctrine? Single Economic Entity doctrine entails that a single economic unit acts as one in a marketplace, regardless of its corporate form. Therefore, it ought to be treated as a single unit for antitrust law and policy (for instance, a parent company and its subsidiaries cannot collude with each other). The American and EU jurisdictions have evolved sophisticated tests to assess whether the corporate bodies together form one economic entity or not. The doctrine and the tests are applied by Indian competition authorities as well. However, the Indian Competition Act defines ‘enterprise’ as a firm or person acting in a market either directly or indirectly through its units, divisions or subsidiaries. In a recent case before Competition Appellate Tribunal, it was submitted that since the definition of ‘enterprise’ is provided for in the law, so long as the elements of the definition (which do not include direction and control test as required by single economic entity doctrine) are satisfied, it means that there is only one economic unit, and it ought to be treated as one. This paper examines the veracity of this submission and the implications that would entail if such a submission were to be accepted.

Investigating stationarity in tourist arrivals to India using panel KPSS with sharp drifts and smooth breaks

ABSTRACTIn the study, we applied panel-based stationary test that incorporates sharp as well as smooth breaks to investigate the non-stationarity of long-run tourists’ arrivals to India from major tourists’ source countries for the period 1981–2012. Results from the overall panel data provided significant evidence to support the stationarity hypothesis. However, when tourist arrivals from major source countries are considered, results indicate that tourist arrivals in India from the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Nepal were non-stationary, suggesting that tourists from these countries are all affected by economic conditions with the greatest extent. The results of the study have important policy implication for the tourist authority of India as well as business sectors in the hospitality industry for understanding and predicting market condition.

The Political Cost-Effectiveness of Private Vessel Protection: The Italian Case

Italy has traditionally been wary of private providers of security. Still, private military and security companies (PMSCs) have recently started to play an important role in protecting Italian merchant vessels, eventually replacing the military vessel protection detachment units (VPDs) provided by the Italian Navy. Drawing on neoclassical realism, the increasing involvement of PMSCs in protecting Italian merchant ships is presented as an attempt to reduce the political costs associated with the use of military personnel abroad, epitomised by the arrest of two Italian Navy fusiliers by Indian authorities in February 2012.

Transplant Buccaneers: P.K. Sen and India's First Heart Transplant, February 1968.

On 17 February 1968, Bombay surgeon Prafulla Kumar Sen transplanted a human heart, becoming the fourth surgeon in the world to attempt the feat. Even though the patient survived just three hours, the feat won Sen worldwide acclaim. The ability of Sen's team to join the ranks of the world's surgical pioneers raises interesting questions. How was Sen able to transplant so quickly? He had to train a team of collaborators, import or reverse engineer technologies and techniques that had been developed largely in the United States, and begin conversations with Indian political authorities about the contested concept of brain death. The effort that this required raises questions of why. Sen, who worked at a city hospital in Bombay that could not provide basic care for all its citizens, sought a technology that epitomized high-risk high-cost, health care. To accomplish his feat, Sen navigated Cold War tensions and opportunities, situating his interests into those of his hospital, municipal authorities, Indian nationalism, Soviet and American authorities, the Rockefeller Foundation, and others. The many contexts and interests that made Sen's work possible created opportunities for many different judgments about the success or failure of medical innovation.

“To Study the financial position of steel authority of India Limited by using ratio analysis technique”

The Steel Authority of India Ltd. is one of the seven Maharatana companies and the leading steel producer in India. It has its plants and sub-units situated all across the country with major presence in the eastern and central regions of the country. The company is eminently the largest producer of iron ore and it has the second largest mines network in the country. This research study is based on secondary data. Ratio analysis technique was used by considering last five years annual reports. The purpose of this research paper was to find out the financial condition of the company, compare the historical performance and current financial condition of the company. The methodology adopted for the study was Ratio analysis and cash flow statement of the company. The trend of these ratios over time is studied to check whether they are improving or deteriorating. Usually, a high inventory (stock) turnover indicates efficient management of inventory because more frequently the stocks are sold, the lesser amount of money is required to finance the inventory. The goal is to have a working capital ratio higher than zero. A negative working capital ratio means a company, if it had to pay off all its creditors today, could not do so. The Company paid interim dividend @ 17.5% of the paid-up equity share capital during the year. Company can increase their current assets or try to reduce current liabilities like loan up to 1 year. Company can utilize its raw materials effectively and efficiently.

A Reckoning of Inland Waterways Transport System in India

Transportation as a mode of mobility came into existence with the inception of human beings. With the onset of civilization, socio-economic development gathered pace and transportation became a crucial factor in its tread. Transportation system in India comprises of railways, roads, civil aviation and inland waterways. In comparison to the first three modes of transportation, the fourth mode of transportation, that is, inland waterways is relatively less developed and used. Despite having a long length of navigable waterways in the country they are not enough used for mobility purposes. In the organized sector, the Government of India has declared certain inland waterways as national waterways. There were five statutory national waterways till the year 2016 when their number was increased to 111 by the National Waterways Act. The Inland Waterways Authority of India has been regularly performing developmental works on the national waterways but overall the pace of development of inland waterways transport system is not much brisk due to many practical challenges and difficulties. These difficulties and challenges can only be handled with a far-sighted approach as well as diligent, righteous and collaborative working of all stakeholders.

Influence of wheat, maida and millets on diabetes mellitus

Sir, We have read your nice editorial “Transition from Prediabetes to Diabetes is Preventable” in the recent issue of your journal.[1] Balanced diet will help in slowing the blood glucose rise as suggested in your editorial. White flour (refined wheat flour) is used in preparation of the most fast food products. Fast food consumption is increasing globally as well as in India. Many people consume commercially prepared foods.[2,3] Alloxan is present in refined flour (maida), and this can increase the onset of diabetes mellitus as it destroys insulin‑producing β‑cells of the pancreas.[4] Several maida‑processing units in the country are using alloxan. Alloxan has been banned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the Delhi‑based central body, that has the final say on what additives are permissible in food. Recently, some wheat sources have been noted to lack type 1 diabetes‑linked epitopes and these may reduce the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus.[5] Intake of millets as a part of diet may also help in reducing the prevalence of diabetes mellitus.[6]

Analysis of maiden modal shift in coal transportation supply chain using SAP-LAP technique

This paper presents a case study in a SAP-LAP format in respect of a maiden modal shift logistic project in India. The purpose of this paper is to show how a modal shift from railways to inland water transportation led to improvement in supply chain qualitatively and quantitatively (cost wise). SAP-LAP framework has been applied and major actors instrumental in the modal shift are briefly taken up. It is a real-life project initiated and piloted by the Government of India through Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). This paper helps to understand the project for implementing IWT by modelling its enablers using interpretive structural modelling (ISM) technique and analysing various issues using SAP-LAP framework in order to improve the economics of supply chain. Structured modelling has helped in understanding the critical enablers. Based upon the inputs from experts, major actors suggested a different set of incentives. A concessional user charge for the use of fairway and cargo assurances as opposed to cash subsidy approach was the game changer. It provides a good model for the improvement of economics of supply chain.

Judicial Activism in Regulating ‘Human Rights Violations’ by Police Authorities in India

The human right violations in police’s actions (or inaction) are in the headlines, quite often in India. The fundamental freedoms guaranteedunder the Indian Constitution are often ignored during the course of such police actions, which the Judiciary in India has tried to regulate in many cases. The Supreme Court of India has laid down norms for many areas including custodial death, inhuman treatment in prisons, continued detentions in the prison after the completion of a term of imprisonment, fake encounters, unwarranted breach of the right to privacy of individuals and registering of fraudulent cases. Despite the continued efforts of the Indian Judiciary, the incidents of human right violations by the police have not abated due to two main reasons: a) the strong political influence of the police and b) theignorance of the public, who still fear the police more than anyone else. This paper addresses the topic at hand in three parts. In the first part, the paper analyses the trendsetting judicial verdicts against the violation of human rights by police in India, especially in light of the Constitutional provisions. The second part addresses the problems that are still faced despite the judicial activism in the field and elaborates on the reasons for the continuation of problems. The final part of the paper addresses thesteps that can be taken for strengthening the police reforms to prevent human right violations. It also looks into the need for necessary responses from other stakeholders in the field.

Profit Split Method: Is It Becoming the Most Appropriate “Alternate” Method?

In this article, the authors highlight the increasing move by the Indian tax authorities towards adoption of the profit split method of allocating profits of multinational enterprises which undertake operations in India, particularly in relation to marketing intangibles, permanent establishments and contract research and development centres. The article canvasses recent Income Tax Appellate Tribunal decisions and highlights the need for multinational enterprises to protect themselves from the tax authority’s newfound thirst for the profit split method by carrying out detailed functional analyses, which are comprehensively documented.

Transparency and effective e-Governance: a case of telecentres in the Indian State of Karnataka

PurposeIt is the responsibility of any government to ensure efficient, transparent and reliable services to the common man through telecentres. The purpose of this study is to take into account the influence of people and process on transparency that leads to effective e-governance.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved collecting data through questionnaire method from 400 citizens who visited the telecentres. Data were analysed by conducting chi-square test and independent sample t-test, and it was found that there exists significant influence of location on transparency.FindingsThe current study reiterates the fact from literature that transparency in transactions enables effective e-governance. Beneficiaries perceive that people and processes have influence on transparency.Research limitations/implicationsThe research adds up to the literature in establishing that there exist differentials among the rural and urban population with respect to transparency. Results could be skewed, as there could be an impact of population density across urban and rural areas.Practical implicationsThis study brings out a framework and an action plan for the government to implement and ensure transparency in processes leading to effective e-governance.Social implicationsThe action plan ensures transparency in service delivery leading to effective e-governance. Increased transparency empowers citizens with increased trustworthiness towards services delivered through telecentres.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils the need for an action plan to assure citizens to use deliveries through telecentres with better transparency. The aspect of transparency is not being studied in the present context of service delivery by the government authorities in India. Moreover, the influence of transparency on e-governance is also under-explored.

Procedural Aspects of Compulsory Licensing Under TRIPS: Report No. II of Webinar Series on Reinterpreting TRIPS in the Life Sciences

In 2013, Indian authorities granted a compulsory license to NATCO Pharmaceuticals for a patented pharmaceutical product sold by Bayer. This decision raised several complex issues regarding the grant a CL and their consistency with the principles and objectives of TRIPS. Furthermore, in January 2017 an amendment to the TRIPS agreement entered into force, allowing compulsory licensors to export their generic pharmaceuticals to least developed countries (LDC), further recalibrating the intersection between the patent institution and public interest. On this background, the webinar presentations and discussion addressed the framework and context for CL provided by the TRIPS convention. Both the specific requirements enshrined in TRIPS art 31 and the broader objectives and principles enshrined in TRIPS, e.g. transfer and dissemination of technology (art 7), protection of public health (art 8) and technology neutrality (art 27) where included in the discussion.