Deemed university row exposes flaws in monitoring system
Recent row over deemed universities has exposed the inability of the government to put in place an effective monitoring mechanism to review the performance of these institutions.

The Indian Higher Education system is crumbling. In an effort to increase access to higher education shortsighted measures like giving dodgy institutions the status of deemed university were adopted by the UGC. Until we establish good quality higher education institutions we will be doomed to be the “workshop” of this globalised world! The education system that just creates a pool of workers for body shopping has a very short shelf life. Sooner or later this constraint will jeopardize our dreams of becoming a global superpower. The regulatory system has failed us indeed!

CCI gathering data on NSE’s predatory intent
The squabble between new stock exchange MCX-SX and NSE, has reached the domain of the competition regulator, with MCX-SX lodging a compliant with the watchdog.

It will be interesting to see how the CCI deals with this complaint. The process is more important as well. This is a first case where there is a sectoral regulator SEBI in place that regulates the activity of these exchanges. Though, the matter of predatory pricing lies squarely in the domain of the Commission, the Competition Act stipulates that CCI must work along with sector-specific regulators. The way ahead is for the two regulators to work in consultation with each other in a cooperative manner.
On the substantive issue under consideration the CCI will have to make a much nuanced judgment, as predatory pricing is very hard to prove. Abuse of Dominance is possible in this case.

Government to start 3G auction on February 25
The government has decided to go ahead with the auction of three slots of third generation (3G) spectrum for all 22 telecom circles on February 25.

From the very beginning revenue maximization has been the objective of theses auctions. While we have been supporting this agenda as spectrum is a public resource and the public should get the true value of the spectrum, there are many technical issues that the auction has not addressed.
ITU has identified 2x60 MHz of spectrum at 2.1 GHz to 3G services using W-CDMA. 2x10 MHz or 2x15 MHz assignment per operator is required for effective deployment of 3G services - with one set of 5 MHz carriers used for macro-cells, another for micro-cells and a third for in-building coverage. Only with this increased assignment is it possible to deal effectively with the traffic hotspots of the kind which airports and shopping malls generate! Thus while 2x5 MHz may be a starting point, it is important to identify and reserve additional spectrum for 3G to ensure effective deployment of 3G in India.
Moreover, the loss to the consumer due to the delay in these auctions is not measurable, as we write this we hear the auctions have been postponed further to August 2010!

Govt to pass Right to Food Act for inclusive growth: FM
Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that the government will pass the Right to Food law to promote inclusive growth.

Insulin overpricing: regulator says its hands are tied
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has said that it could not take any action against some producers for selling human insulin above the regulator-set prices because the Karnataka High Court has restrained any action.

DoT may prohibit M&As among 3G players
If these rules come to play post 3G auction, then an existing telecom players who win 3G licences, will not be able to merge with any other telecom operator.

India Inc may soon be trading energy-saving certificates
The Government is readying the blueprint for a new market-based mechanism that will use energy saving certifications to spur efficiency improvements across large, energy-intensive industries.

Panel seeks strict regulation of rating agencies
A committee appointed by financial regulators has recommended an overhaul of regulatory norms governing credit rating agencies (CRAs).

Green Tribunal in the offing
The Government proposes to set up a National Green Tribunal, a special court to settle environmental cases.

More funds for social sector
Despite rising fiscal deficit, the government will make social sector spending the centrepiece of Budget 2010-11. To pay for this, more disinvestment of state-run enterprises would become necessary.

Government to sell stakes in 60 PSUs
Finance ministry is in talks with other ministries for selling stakes in around 60 PSUs in coming years, including miner Hindustan Copper Ltd.

National Knowledge network gets Cabinet nod
The government has approved a scheme, which aims at bridging the rural-urban divide and also accorded an in-principle approval for the establishment of the National Knowledge Network.

Rajasthan amends APMC Act to start private e market
Rajasthan has amended its Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act to allow private sub e market to operate in all the 125 mandis of the state.

Oil & gas regulator slaps notice on Centre, PSUs on fuel pricing
The oil & gas sector regulator has sent notices to the government and state-run oil companies for selling petrol and diesel below the cost following the directions of an appellate tribunal.

Undercutting cloud over highway project bidding
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) may face a problem of plenty when the final bids come from private companies for the 60 projects it intends to kick off.

Rural job generation to get PPP push
After the infrastructure sector, the public-private partnership (PPP) model will be extended to rural job generation as well.