# RVMs

• Most opposition parties, agreed that improving voter turnout in elections was a collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
• Thereafter they displayed reservations against the election Commission’s proposal to introduce remote voting for domestic migrants.
• They insisted on more clarity regarding matters relating to legal and administrative processes as well logistical challenges in remote voting before moving to the technical aspect of watching functioning of the proposed Remote Voting machine.
• In the end, the purpose for which meeting was called remained unfulfilled.

# OPS

• The RBI on Monday red flagged the return to the old pension scheme (OPS) by some states as a major concern on the sub national fiscal horizon.
• RBI also called for higher capital expenditure in sectors such as health, education, infra and green energy.
• The annual saving in fiscal resources that this move entails is short lived.

# Import-export

• India’s exports fell over 12% to $34.5 billion in December 2022 while imports dipped 3% to $58.2 billion, resulting in a widening of trade deficit.
• Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told reporters the decline, fastest in two years, was due to global headwinds as several countries are in the midst of a slowdown as also due to the high base in December 2021, when exports of $39.3 billion were the third highest on record.
• Exports have slowed down in recent months after booming to a record $422 billion during the last financial year.

# Russia

• Imports from Russia have jumped five times to $32.9 billion during April to December.
• It made Russia the fourth largest trading partner.
• If the current pace of increase persists, Russia’s imports could hit $50 billion.