April 6, 2024

Good morning. Every Saturday, we publish the results of polls from feature stories that were published the past week. We also give a brief overview of the topics that were discussed.

🗳️ POLL RESULTS – Week 169

🗓️ THE WEEK THAT WAS

Should governments set up fact-checking units?

Daily | 1 April 2024

A recent Supreme ruling ordered a stay on the Centre’s fact-checking unit (FCU). The government’s decision to have an FCU raised eyebrows. The Bombay High Court, too, will have its say. Until then, is a government having a body to fact-check information such a bad idea? Is it dangerous in any way, or can it be a useful tool for the masses? Read more on this here.

Will welfare populism be a winning tool for the 2024 elections?

Daily | 2 April 2024

Welfare schemes have become commonplace in our political landscape. They’re a dime a dozen as parties try to one-up each other in what they can offer the masses. Apart from their economic outcomes, can they be a winning electoral strategy? We discuss it here.

Should fintechs be allowed to self-regulate?

Daily | 3 April 2024

In a recently released draft framework, the Reserve Bank of India said fintech companies should create a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) for statutory and regulatory compliance. Can, or rather, should these companies be given this much leeway in regulation? We unpack this here.

Is a “living wage” feasible for India?

Daily | 4 April 2024

India is reportedly considering adopting a living wage instead of a minimum wage. The government has approached the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to help draw out a framework to see how living wages could be applied. Is it wise to replace the minimum wage? Would a living wage even be feasible? Find the debate here.

Is Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) a good approach to combat global warming?

Daily | 5 April 2024

Many approaches have been adopted to combat climate change. Most of them are conventional like reducing greenhouse emissions, switching to renewable energy, etc. However, some unconventional ones have also been discussed. One of them is called Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). It involves cooling the Earth rapidly by reflecting a portion of sunlight back into space. It might sound absurd and science fiction-y. However, some see it as a viable method. Would it be? More on this story here.