Synopsis: Adjusted for land holding, the Punjab farmer is doing poorly, and the culprit is paddy. By shifting from rice to maize and diversifying to fruits and vegetables, farmers in Punjab and Haryana can earn more, while practicing sustainable farming. What are key findings of the latest Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of agri households? As… Continue reading How Punjab can shine again with nutritional security and climate-friendly agriculture

Synopsis: The RCTs that have swept economics and won Nobel recognition remain rather unreliable in comparison with clinical trials. We should be sceptical about the policy conclusions of randomized control trials used in economics and social sciences. Introduction Randomized Clinical Trials have revolutionized medicine and led to many life-saving treatments, drugs and vaccines. But, we… Continue reading The perils of natural experiments and randomized controlled trials

Synopsis: Governments must focus on lowering prices and reducing regulatory constraints rather than focusing on ease of doing business. Introduction Recently, the IMF’s executive board expressed confidence in the leadership of Kristalina Georgieva in the Doing Business survey controversy that raised doubts over the integrity of Ease of the Doing Business (EoDB) rankings. What are… Continue reading Cost of Doing Business

Synopsis: The proposal to introduce a Deshbhakti curriculum for patriotism needs to be carefully analyzed. Introduction Recently New Delhi government announced a proposal to introduce a curriculum for patriotism for school children. The suggestion is definitely welcome as loyalty towards the nation is important for the survival of any nation. But in the current age… Continue reading Our children don’t need a ‘deshbhakti’ curriculum

Synopsis: With political will, Kerala and Tamil Nadu can overcome hurdles to renew the Parambikulam Aliyar Project agreement. What is Parambikulam Aliyar Project? It provides for the diversion of 30.5 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) annually from Kerala to Tamil Nadu. This major project with an outlay of ₹138 crore was completed in 1972.… Continue reading Clearing the air on water: On Parambikulam Aliyar Project

Synopsis: Three-fourths of India’s top regulators are retired government officers. This trend must change. Introduction Regulatory bodies are government bodies set up to supervise different sectors of the economy. While most of the regulatory bodies are working independently, there are some that still operating as an extension of the government, like the Regulator for civil… Continue reading Regulatory capture of a different kind