27 AUGUST 2017 CURRENT AFFAIRS CONCEPTS - · PDF fileIndonesia, Singapore, Philippines,...
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AUGUST 2017 CURRENT AFFAIRS CONCEPTS - ANALYSIS
MPs FRET OVER TRADE DEFICIT with ASEAN
Context
MPs fret over trade deficit with ASEAN Parliamentary Panel urges that India
should seek better market access for its products and services; India has
suffered a Trade deficit in respect of 5 ASEAN members.
ASEAN
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises of
Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunel, Thailand, Cambodia
etc.,
India has suffered a trade deficit in respect of 5 ASEAN members –
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunel and cao PDR over 2015-16 and 2016-
17 with the biggest deficit emerging in trade with Indonesia, the Committee
has noted.
Indonesia
Indonesia has committed as tariff elimination on 50% of its items which has
resulted in biggest trade deficit from India amongst all ASEAN member
states.
The Ministry of Commerce apprised the Panel that the imports of essential
commodities – Coal, Petroleum and Edible Oils from ASEAN constitute a
significant % of India s imports and if India will have a better or positive
balance of trade position.
The import of essential commodities will continue with or without this
trade agreements for the better market access.
Fourth Larger Partner
ASEAN is India s 4th
largest trading partner with total trade.
The total exports was $31.07 billion and import was $40.63 billion to ASEAN
which made a balance of $9.56 Billion
Processed Food Imports
India has faced high import tariffs and barriers, leading to a sharp drop in
trade.
India s food processing sector had raised concerns about the near absence
of quality norms for import of cheap processed food products from ASEAN
Countries.
Way forward
It has also sought efforts to improve India s access to services trade in
ASEAN, with a focus on increasing the footprint of Indian Banks and
financial institutions in the region.
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GM CROPS
What is GM Crops?
Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs, GM Crops or Biotech crops) are plants
used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic
engineering methods, the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which
doesn t occur naturally in the species.
How it is done?
GM is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an
organism. To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells.
The cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop in to plants
The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA
Advantages of GM Crops
They are a technology that has already been going on for many years.
These crop is different from the traditional methods of Plant breeding, as it
transfer genes from one species to another.
They are mostly believed to be safe, the product goes under some tests for
safety.
They have improved quality and taste, as well as increased nutrients.
They help ease the environmental impact by human activities.
They help in reduction of world hunger
Disadvantages of GM crops
They are not entirely believed to be safe
They contribute to the increase occurrences of allergic reactions
They alter the way nature works
They require labelling
They only have little to no economic value as they take more time to
mature and more effort to grow compared to natural crops.
HABEAS CORPUS
Article-32 of the Indian Constitution gives Individuals to approach Supreme
Court directly for the violation of their Fundamental Rights.
Article-32:- Right to Constitutional Remedies.
There are 5 types of Writs enshrined in this Article.
1 of those writs is Habeas Corpus
Habeas Corpus
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It literally means to have the body of
The court can ask any person who has been detained or imprisoned to be
physically brought before the court.
The court then examine the reason of his arrest/detention and if there is no
legal justification, then he can be set free.
This writ can be used in following cases
1) When a person is arrested and not produced before the court/magistrate
within 24hours.
2) When a person is arrested without any violation of a law
3) When detention is done intentionally to harm the person.
4) When a person is arrested under the laws which are unconstitutional.
Habeas Corpus writ is called as Bulwark (defensive wall) of individual liberty
against arbitrary detention.
Generally Procedure filling the petition is that a person who s Right is
violated must file the Petition.
But Habeas Corpus offer the detained person or any other person on his
behalf can file the petition.
Habeas Corpus writ is applicable to preventive detention also.
This Writ can be issued against both Public/Government authorities as well
as individuals.
Keywords
Writs/Orders: A form of written command in the name of court.
Arbitrary Detention: A person who is arrested without any evidence
Preventive Detention: Imprisonment of person with the aim of preventing
them from committing further offences
LEGISLATIVE PRIVILEGES NEEDS RATIONAL INTERPRETATION
HISTORICAL
They originated in 1833 Charter Act
They are privileges of Council
In 1919, it provided for freedom of speech in house and immune from
prosecution on any publication.
In 1935, members are protected from judiciary and they could make their
own privileges. In Constitution
Today , In our Constitution, we have privileges enjoyed by members are
1) Freedom of Speech, freedom from arrest
No member can be discriminated for expressing views
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No member can be arrested 40days before and after session of house and
during session also
Member can stop a person to publish any proceedings in house.
LEGISLATIVE PRIVILEGES
Context
There were many instances going on between Press and Legislative
Privileges in recent case of two Kannada journalists were sentenced to Jail
for 14years with 10,000 rupees fine by Karnataka Assembly because of
defamatory articles against L.A members. So there was need for
codification
KA High court told speaker of assembly to reconsider the arrest order and
asked to find a solution.
High Court could not give a fair judgment for this case because in Keshav
Singh case, Supreme Court did not define several points neither Parliament
or State legislatures have defined those points.
Codifications means Set of Systematic rules
Why Legislative Privileges
The constitution guaranteed for privileges for protecting freedom of speech
and expression in House
The legislature should use this power to punish for breach of these
privileges to protect independence of House
It means legislators have power to be judges to decide what their privileges
and what punishment should be awarded.
Article-105 pertains to powers, privileges of Parliament, members and
Committees and Article-194 protects the privileges
Problems with Privileges
The absence of codification gives House the freedom to decide when and
how breach of privilege occurs.
The question is whether legislature should be its own judge for its own
cause?
The journalists must have the freedom to write critical articles against all
elected representatives without any fear
The right to give and award sentence/punishment journalists is in hands of
Courts of Law (court) and KA legislative Assembly should not misuse its
power
There should be separation of powers. It is time to end discretionary
powers of politicians to become judges for their own mistakes/breaches
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1956 Parliament enacted protection of Publication Act to protect
Newspapers radio broadcasts but this has been repealed by Parliament.
Till now no law has been made by Parliament.
There was request from press commission for codification of privileges but
this has been reflected by the Parliament.
Way forward
Criticism is part of creative feedback
In democracy every elected representative are accountable to people
Article-105 and 194 are not absolute right
The legislature instead of working for protection of rights is now against
people and press
If Indians and press cannot criticize who will do?
The use of Parliamentary privileges arbitrarily is undemocratic and Supreme
Court needs to re-examine to prevent legislative dictatorship
SOCIAL MEDIA
Is it a promoter or inhibitor?
Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media platforms have been
misused on several occasions to spread hate campaign in the country.
There were instances like
- Muzaffarnagar riots-2013 occurred due to fake videos circulated in social
media which killed 62 people.
- Due to fake rumors spread in Social media created panic in North
Eastern region living in Bangalore.
- Therefore social media is misused to radicalize teenagers
Intelligence Bureau has informed that spread of Indian
Mujahedeen(terrorist groups) and uses social media to create communal
tensions were biggest threats to internal security
What actions has been taken?
IB also blocked 2 websites belonging to ISIS. Propaganda on how to make
bombs etc.,
SEBI has framed guidelines to check possible misuse of social media in
capital markets to protect investors.
IT rules, 2011 under Section-79 of IT Act states that users should not
display, update, transmit any information that is harmful and affect
minority groups in the country.
Advantages of Social Media
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Social media is trying to bridge gap between rural and urban areas in terms
of information.
A report published by IMRB international internet and industrial body
mobile association of India gave that 35% growth has occurred in rural India
with the use of information provided by social media
Facebook is increasing pay and benefits for workers and employees. Many
people are joining private companies.
People can express thoughts, beliefs etc., with social media as a platform to
unite people.
Small sector business can be done in social media.
Disadvantages
Social media is affecting mental health of teenagers
Photos on social media creates violence and results in teenagers involve in
criminal activities.
Threats from people against girls and criminal cases are increasing due to
social media.
Negative social interactions – Addiction of pornography, cyberbullying etc
are increasing.
Way forward
There is no need to impose censorship but social media must find a solution
to trace identities that spreading hatred, defame posts.
Social media is a power to police. They should use to communicate with
people
PM Narendra Modi who is avid user of social media has emphasized FB
headquarters that it has huge strengths and benefits which can help
government to take correct steps with people opinion on government
expressed in Facebook.
It depends on us that how much we utilize and how much we get trapped
into it.
ISSUE OF PAID NEWS
The election commission had disqualified M.P. Irrigation Minister Narottam
mishra and banned from constitutional elections for three years for
involving in paid news.
What is paid News?
Paid news refers to engagement of media outlets in publishing favorable
articles in exchange of payment.
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This is mostly done by Politicians, businessmen and celebrities to improve
Public image or political goals.
Paid news is illegality and unethical practice of media
In Mishra case he submitted false account of expenses.
But he served his term after invalid election. This delay in taking a decision
has resulted in mockery of law.
Constitutional Provisions:
Art 10 (A) empowers commission to disqualify a candidate if he failed to
meet his given poll expenses
Adverse impact of paid news
It is an electoral malpractice which encourages expenditure limits and give
false information to citizens
The media autonomy is misused for corrupt practices during elections
campaign
The paid information will hamper people judgment to decide correct
opinion.
The payment modes usually violates tax laws and election laws.
What should be done?
There should be regulator in field which should impose penalties on
malpractice press council of India should be restructured and reconstituted
to make strict, impartial decisions.
There is an urgent need for ban on practices such as private treaties done
by newspaper companies
Private treaties is practice where a newspaper enters into deals with private
firms
They promise advertising in exchange for equity in the company
Conclusion:
Paid news involves both ethical and professional issue which cannot be
solved by government alone. It is solved by society itself.
Misuse of social media should be discouraged.
The role of black money should be curtailed.
Political funding should be made transparent.
Strong regulatory body is needed.
Marriage registration is now compulsory
The law commission has recommended compulsory registration for all
marriages, amending registration of birth and death act 1969.
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Law commission headed by retired Supreme Court Judge submitted 270
report for making registration mandatory.
Time limit to register marriage should be within 30 days and penalty
imposed is rs.5 per day.
Amendment bill should provide that if Birth or death or Marriage is not
registered within specified time limit then the Registrar shall on payment of
a late fee, register death or Birth.
(a) Within one year with permission of 36 authorities
(b) Within 30 days
(c) After one year only after getting order of first class Magistrate
In India marriages are performed under personal laws and some
communities do not like interference.
So the law commission made it clear its proposal doesn t interfere with
personal laws or disturb rights.
It only calls for registration irrespective of religion.
In 2012, A bill was introduced in parliament to make registration
compulsory and amend registration of Births and Death act 1969.
The amendment bill was passed by Rajya Sabha but could not take by Lok
Sabha. In 2013, it lapsed on dissolution of 15th
Lok Sabha in 2014.
IMPACT OF THIS:
It would address the growing evils child marriages, polygamy, Human
trafficking.
Record of marriages will be available to everyone irrespective of religion,
region, and custom and prove a check on matrimonial frauds.
Law commission suggested linking with Aadhar number to prevent fraud
marriages.
Fraud marriages are done by mostly NRIs so it can be prevented.
The recommendations will not interfere Muslim Personal law as they
perform Nikah nama where registration is done.
This will benefit people in identifying void marriages.
Way forward
1. State government must ensure that there are enough registration offices in
districts
2. Registration must be simple and decentralized so that people can accessible
it without too much expense or inconvenience
3. The process should be transparent and corruption free
Conclusion
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Like many social legislations it also involves effective implementation
The amended law would enable better implementation of civil and criminal
laws
Safe marriage registered process could build a solid foundation of family
system. It enhances social relationship
Only a solid family system could produce and sustain requirement of strong
nation.
COLLEGIUM BASED SELECTION OF ECS – ENSURING BETTER NEUTRALITY
As per Article-342(2):- Election Commission consists of Chief Election
Commissioner(CEC) and other Election Commissioners(EC)
About 4 decades EC was single member body with chief election
commissioner as its head.
Constitution guarantees that appointments should be made of law enacted
by Parliament but President till now appointed on advice of cabinet and
inclined to ruling party.
In 2006, there was proposal for seven member collegium headed by PM for
selection of CEC and EC
Others proposed Collegium were Lok sabha Speaker, Law Minister, Leaders
of opposition in LS and RS and Supreme Court Judge nominated by Chief
Justice of India(CJI) and Deputy Chairman of RS
In 2009, there was 6 member collegium head – PM for selection
National Commission to review the Working of Constitution (NCRWC) has
submitted its report to Government.
It stated CEC and EC to be appointed by Panel consists of PM, leader of
opposition in Lok Sabha, Speaker and Deputy Chairman of RS and leader of
opposition in RS and EC and CEC should be removed as SC Judge.
SC has suggested Parliament to make a law for appointment but Parliament
did not.
Why independent EC is needed?
EC is important constitutional body
It plays instrumental role in conducting elections in courts.
To ensure transparency and credibility the process of selection of members
of EC should be fair, credible and transparent.
President is advised by executive body, this will create manipulation,
favoritism in selection process it will be ruling power interest which is
violative of Constitution
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Recently law commission has suggested that appointment will be made by
President after consultation with panel consisting of PM, leader of
Opposition and CJI.
MEDIA AND ITS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Ethics and Social responsibility are essential in growing globalization
Media is 4th
estate of democracy and it is controlled by private sector and
market forces
They effect the social change
They are mirror of the society
Karl Marx said nature is hostile to man and talked about man-nature
conflict(class struggle)
Today market is hostile and has more challenges
Running a TV channel or Newspapers is costly affair. It requires capital and
TRP rating to survive and runned by corporate houses became more profit
motive.
Previously, before Independence media was runned by political activists to
express ideologies
So sometimes media seems to have vested interest in crony capitalism and
nepotistic democracy media became like strong pressure group.
A NEW SCORE IN WASTE MANAGEMENT
Scientists from CSIR-NIIST have been able to turn waste into wealth
They produced ethanol from Cotton-Stalks
India produces 2 million tonnes of Cotton Stalk waste.
How they are used?
They stalks were first treated with acid, alkali and different enzymes to
breakdown polymers of stalk.
The acid removes hemi cellulose , it is a polymer of cell wall, alkali extracts
lignin, it is binding machine matrix in cellular.
This treatment expose cellulose and cellulose is further treated using
enzymes to convert into glucose.
Fermentation
To convert glucose into ethanol, fermentation is done with Yeast.
The Yeast – Saccharomyces cerevinae RRP-03N extracted from rotting wild
fruit from Kerala is used.
After this process, Bio-Ethanol (>99% purity) is produced.
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Uses of Bio-Ethanol
It is a renewable resource
It is more pure than other alcohol
This can be used as liquor for consuming.
It reduces pollution as it do not release CO2 emission
It reduces use of fossil fuels
It can be produced from waste , which is abundant.
It can also be produced from corn, sugarcane waste etc.,
Disadvantages
It is expensive
Ethanol, as biofuel is inefficient when compared to gasoline
It increase methane gases, harmful to Ozone layer.
Storage capacity should be available
Government initiatives
National Policy on Bio-fuels 2015 introduced by government to encourage
renewable energy resources as alternate fuels to supplement transport
fuels.
Way forward
The government should take necessary measures to prevent farmers
diverting their crops from food crops to cash crops for ethanol.
Better storage facilities should be provided.
INDIA, QATAR DISCUSS CITIZENS WELFARE
Context
Qatar assures safety of Indian citizens there.
Background
1) 6 lakh Indian nationals are working in Qatar
2) In June, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain had cut diplomatic ties and
closed all connectivity links with Qatar(believing that Qatar is supporting
terrorism)
India and Qatar
India is planning to invest in Hydrocarbon projects in Qatar
India asked their region countries to resolve the crisis(isolating Qatar)
Joint Action against money laundering and terrorist financing
Enhancing cooperation in Defence and Security
In yesterday s meeting cooperation in energy, trade and investment were
discussed.
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Indian Citizens in Qatar
There are about 6 lakh Indians working in Qatar
In 2015, an agreement is signed, in which Citizens of India on Qatar who are
convicted for crime can be sent to their home country to spend the
remaining prison period.
Participation of Indian companies in Qatar s Infrastructure development
including in FIFA 2022 world cup related infrastructure projects.
Historical Relations
Diplomatic ties between India and Qatar are established in 1973
Diplomatic ties
In 2016, PM Narendra Modi s visit to Qatar made economic ties, particularly
in Hydrocarbon sector
Military Relations
In 2008, an agreement was signed on maritime defence. Mutual exercise of
defence training and mutual visits.
In the same agreement, exchanging the information in order to suppress
threats raised by extremists/terrorists.
Keywords
Money Laundering: Money obtained by drug trafficking, terrorist funding,
illegal money
Hydrocarbon: Deposits under earth s surface such as Oil and Natural gas
MPs FRET OVER TRADE DEFICIT WITH ASEAN
Context
Parliamentary Standing Committee(PSC) on Commerce questioned
government for suggesting that country s increasing trade deficit with
ASEAN(Association of South East Asian Nations), 1967 – Nations is due to
imports of essential commodities (electronics, telecom instruments etc.,)
ASEAN – 10 Nation – Bloc (Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei,
Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam) – consists of MPs
appointed by Vice President or Speaker of Lok Sabha or both and its
functions are to scrutinize and control, to enquire, day to day business of
house.
Why trade deficit with ASEAN members?
1) India suffered a huge trade deficit in respect of 5 ASEAN members –
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Lao PDR over 2015-16 and 2016-
17, especially with Indonesia.
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2) Under the existing trade agreement, Indonesia committed on tariff
elimination on 50.1% of its items which is least in comparison to other
ASEAN member states, resulted in biggest trade deficit to India among all
members
3) Among the other top 10 commodities imported from ASEAN, consumer
electronics grew high in 2016-17(18.33%), electronic components (11.72%)
and telecom instruments (9.17%)
How to decrease the trade deficit?
1) Better market access
2) Quality norms
3) Reduce tariffs
Excluding essential commodities imports from ASEAN like Coal, Petroleum
and edible oils, India will have a better or positive balance of trade position
Concerns
1) Absence of Quality norms
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AUGUST 2017 CURRENT AFFAIRS CONCEPTS - ANALYSIS
Exports of agricultural products from India faced high import tariffs leading
to drop in trade
So Indian food processing sector concern about absence of quality norms
for import of cheap processed food products from ASEAN
2) Non-tariff barriers
Imposition of safeguards, non-tariff barriers by ASEAN on exports of India s
textiles and Pharmaceuticals
What need to be done to improve trade balance?
1) Better market access
India must improve market access for goods like leather goods and
pharmaceuticals
2) Quality norms
Quality norms on products to be imported from ASEAN as well as other
regions of world.
3) Reduction in tariffs
Reduction of tariffs in products like steel
4) Improve India s access to service trade in ASEAN, and increasing foot print
of Indian banks and financial institutions in the region.
SAFETY MEASURES in INDIAN RAILWAYS(AIR)
Dwaraka Express met with an accident and many people lost lives as
unapproved local works were going on tracks and driver could not see red
flags and could not stop train.
How do you feel this accident?
There are instructions not given by the local staff and shortcuts are
practiced.
The enquiry should go standard, maintenance, practice was going on or
negligence was practiced
Driver has to apply emergency brakes gradually so this might of this do not
happen.
Indian Railways
How can a system fail? Station manager was not aware of maintenance
work?
System is certainly under pressure
Safety has to be ensured
Train has to be delayed.
Investments on Indian railways was delayed.
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AUGUST 2017 CURRENT AFFAIRS CONCEPTS - ANALYSIS
Government has to take responsibility for management failure.
We did not invest in tracks but announced new trains.
Saturated tracks are there
So should we rationalize trains?
The present government is investing in new tracks rationalizing or reducing
trains is not way out trains have to be slowed down speed and time or
make investment.
We shouldn t suffer citizens for inconvenience.
Government setup Kakore committee, government gave 20,000 crore
rupees every year for railways.
Do we need manual or technology for railways?
Basic operational staff in short term has to be there.
Technology will work in the long run results.
Both has to be used till technology available, manual should be provided.
The last report Vivek Debroy recommended reforming railway board.
Why we have so many boards?
Today time of technology, the number of services can be commercial
working and accounting.
All technical services can be merged.
Financial Infusion will reduce accidents?
Yes, we can do with proper technology whether Budget is reaching properly
or not, it should not be delayed.
SURGE PRICING
Context
The Aam Aadmi Party government is preparing to come down heavily
against surge pricing by cab aggregations.
What is Surge Pricing
Demand Pricing or Surge Pricing or demand pricing or time based pricing is
a pricing strategy in which business set flexible prices for products or
service based on current market demands.
Types of Pricing:
a) Premium Pricing
Involves establishing a price higher than your competitors to achieve a
premium positioning.
Ex: Audi, Mercedes
b) Penetrative pricing
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AUGUST 2017 CURRENT AFFAIRS CONCEPTS - ANALYSIS
Capturing market share by entering the market with a low price as
compared to the competition.
Ex: Jio
c) Economy pricing
It involves a low cost approach in which prices are kept low to attract a
specific segment of the market that is highly price sensitive. Ex: D-Mart
d) Skimming Price
Used by companies that have a significant competitive advantage and
which can gain maximum advantage before other competitors offer similar
products or substitutes
e) Psychological Pricing
It is a type of pricing which can be translated into a small incentive that can
make a huge impact psychologically on customers. Ex: 999, 199
f) Neutral Strategy
It focusses on keeping the price at the same level for all four periods of the
product life cycle.
g) Captive Product Pricing
Focusses on captive products accompanying the core products. Ex: Ink for a
printer
h) Optional Product Pricing
Mainly observed in airline companies. Ex: Offering optional features along
with the seats like extra seat space. Etc.,
i) Bundling Pricing
Mainly used to get rid of excess stocks when two different products are
combined together and offered as a deal.
j) Promotional Pricing
Similar to Bundling Pricing but Bundling is of products alone to make the
customer to use the bundled product for the first time.
k) Geographical Pricing
It involves variations of prices depending on the location where the product
and service is being sold.
l) Demand Pricing
Businesses set flexible prices for products or services based on current
market demand. Ex: Air fares, Cabs
Factors affecting Pricing
a) Competitors
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Companies often match their competitor s price to establish and maintain
loyal customers.
b) Customers
Companies must determine how price sensitive customers are
They have to analyse how much buyers are willing to pay for the product.
c) Price Elasticity
People sensitivity to price changes.
d) The Economy and Government Laws and Regulations
Factors is an economic environment include interest rates and
unemployment levels.
In International markets, currency exchange rates also affects pricing.
Pricing decisions are also affected by federal and state regulations.
e) Product Costs
The costs of the product – its input – including the amount spent on
product development, testing and packaging.
f) Pricing objectives
- Profit Maximization
In the short run, a firm can earn more profit by charging high price.
However, during long run, a firm reduces price per unit to earn high
profits through increased sales.
- Obtaining Market share leadership
For an increasing market share, a firm reduces price per unit.
- Surviving in a competitive market
If a firm is not able to survive in the competitive market, it may resort to
free offer, discount or try to liquidate its stock even at best obtainable
price
- Attaining Product Quality Leadership
Firm charges higher prices to cover high quality and high cost
Is Surge Pricing Good or Exploitation?
It is exploitation
1) No limit to multiplier. Ex: 1.5, 7 times
2) Fake shortage:
Possibility of creating a fake shortage of taxis to raise the prices
3) Not the definition of service:
Service industry should be based on first come first serve . There
should be balance between increase in pricing and first come first serve
4) Doubtful customers
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Sometimes prices go down immediately after booking a cab which
creates doubt in minds of customers that they may be created.
5) Not clear
No clear formula for deciding the multiplier.
It is good
1) Encouraging Service providers
Surge pricing will encourage cab drivers and taxis to operate during odd
times and fulfill the needs of customers.
2) Boost to Economy
This helps the nation s economy as the driver earns more
3) Just an extension of already existing
The concept is old as informally rickshaws and autos used to charge
more during night time.
4) Better service
Waiting times has reduced due to surge pricing.
5) Increase in Base fare
If Surge Pricing is banned – taxis would find it difficult to have low fares
in the long run and result in increase of Base fare/ normal fare. It will
lead to more expenditure for all the customers.
Conclusion
Private cabs and taxis are very important in solving transportation issues for
customers. But Surge pricing is creating dissatisfaction and driving
customers away from services. Therefore, it should be properly marketed
and regulated.