The Belt and Road Initiative was all over the news a couple of years back. It seemed to be the only game in town. It was touted to be the instrument that will propel China to superpower status. However as time passed, the concept got into problems in the execution phase. The term debt trap is now almost synonymous with the BRI. In any case the principle of debt trapping came to light through BRI deals going sour. Naturally, the Chinese have caught flak due to their usurious financial deals. Amidst all this the corona struck and paralysed progress on BRI projects for a variety of reasons. Today, BRI hardly finds mention in a newspaper in any significant manner. Most of the projects are languishing despite all the propaganda of its success by China. Some are cancelled, many are scaled down and many countries want to renegotiate terms with China. In this episode, Aadi and I discuss various aspects pertaining to the BRI.
As per reports the government is set to finalise the ‘Agnipath’ nee ‘Tour of Duty’ recruitment scheme, under which youth can enlist in the Army for three /five years and be known as ‘Agnivirs’. It is being envisaged that 25% of them would serve for three years and 25% for five years, the remaining 50% would serve for the full term till they reach the retirement age. This major reform is expected to significantly reduce the age profile of the Armed forces. This reform will also result in significant reduction of pensions. It will curb the ballooning salary and pension bills that are adversely impacting military modernization. Under this arrangement, after completing 3 or 5 years of service, the Army will help the soldier/officer to be recruited in other services. The soldiers would be given a pay-out along with priority in recruitment to certain government jobs, including the central armed police forces. An effort is also on to nudge corporate India into hiring such ...
Interesting discussion Sir, gives me idea to ruminate on how useful have been our own mega industrial projects for the local people, especially in the tribal belt.
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