I had written this post in 2009 when Telengana first became a major political issue. I am re-posting it since major decisions about the creation of Telengana are underway. Minor edits and updates have been made and are provided in italics. In my earlier post on the issue of Telengana's statehood, I tried to provide... Continue Reading →
Is the Food Security Ordinance a game-changer for India’s poor?
Citing the disruptions in Parliament, the UPA government decided to promulgate the National Food Security Ordinance on July 5. Under Article 123 of the Constitution, the President can promulgate an Ordinance when Parliament is not in session and there is need for ‘immediate action’. It is possible that the government has crossed a line of... Continue Reading →
Dams and disasters in the Himalayas
This post was first published as an op-ed by Mint on July 9, 2013. The original article can be accessed here. Relief operations in disaster-ravaged Uttarakhand have ended and the time seems ripe to take account of the institutional frailties that have contributed to the ongoing human disaster in the state. Chief minister Vijay... Continue Reading →
Disaster management: How prepared are we?
The flash floods and landslides caused by sudden heavy rains in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh on June 15 have resulted in heavy casualty and loss of property. The death toll is likely to be about 1000 while over 20,000 people still need to be evacuated. Currently, rescue operations are being carried out by several agencies... Continue Reading →
What ails India’s public health delivery system
Recently, the Cabinet approved the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s new programme, the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), which seeks to focus on the public health needs of the urban poor. NUHM is the new scheme under the government’s overarching National Health Mission (NHM) programme. The existing National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is the... Continue Reading →
Are we water-secure or water-starved? – National Water Policy
By Esha Singh Alagh Recent news reports suggest that Cherrapunji, once the wettest place on earth is now water starved in the summer season. While the population of India constitutes around 17% of the entire world’s population, its water resources comprise of only 4% of world’s renewable water resources.Accepting the importance of protecting our water resources... Continue Reading →
How good is the data for monitoring government schemes?
Recently, a news item brought to attention a crucial but not often discussed matter on the quality of data collected at various levels of the government. It quoted a report from the Planning Commission’s think tank, Institute of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR) which found that the data on the government’s many flagship schemes was either... Continue Reading →
Kashmir II: The last Month
In my last blog post, I had summarised the main events in Jammu and Kashmir's past history to try and give a context to the post I am writing today. I encapsulate the main events which have taken place within Jammu and Kashmir within the last month or so. In doing this, I have also... Continue Reading →
Kashmir as it stands today – I
The recent violence in Kashmir has dealt a great deal of damage to the gains made there in recent years. In this and the next blog post (will be up soon), I encapsulate a summary of the main events concerning Kashmir, and also an attempt at making a timeline of recent events there. Main events... Continue Reading →
Local Government IV: India’s municipal bodies
Municipal Corporations Municipal corporations are formed in large urban areas, and usually have one head appointed by the government who is the ‘Commissioner’. The other head of the municipal corporation is the Mayor, who is elected either directly by the people, or indirectly from among the elected members of the municipal corporation.[i] Though the Mayor... Continue Reading →
Local Government III: States – Culprits or bystanders?
The Constitution gives the state governments the power to make laws on all matters relating to the local government, the composition and powers of municipal bodies, and other local bodies for the purpose of self-government.[i] All states therefore have legislations setting out in detail the powers and functions of municipal bodies, and other local bodies.... Continue Reading →
Local Government II: Central government and local bodies
The central government does not have a direct role to play in the functioning of municipal bodies. It however releases funds to state governments annually for urban development. These funds are released based on the recommendations of the Central Finance Commission’s report. The central government also has a role in municipal administration by promoting urban... Continue Reading →
Erstwhile ‘State’ of Joy
After having spent five years as a student in Kolkata (West Bengal), I revisited the city after a year earlier this month. The difference in perspective as a student and now as an employed professional prompted me to look at the state, and its governance anew. Given below are some facts and figures I found... Continue Reading →
Should MPs have the job of developing their local area?
Since 1993, Members of Parliament have been given a certain amount of money they can use to recommend works of a developmental nature in their constituency. The scheme is known as the MP Local Area Development Scheme, or MPLADS. This scheme has become the subject matter of a crucial debate recently. Initially, all MPs were... Continue Reading →
State building in India – I
The re-organisation of states in India may not simply be a question of giving voice to the aspirations of neglected groups within a specific region of the country. It is also a question of whether such a group will be able to form capable institutions of administration to reap the benefits of statehood. This is... Continue Reading →
