News: 15th Finance commission recommended a health grant of 70,000 crore which is to be released over the next 5 years. Out of this nearly 8000 crore was released to urban and rural local bodies. This would be 2.3% of the total health expenditure. This has the potential of having a huge impact on health… Continue reading Small grant but a big opportunity for local bodies
Tag: the hindu
Narco-terrorism: Afghanistan, the rise of a narco-terrorist state
News: According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), opium production in Afghanistan has crossed 6,000 tonnes for the 5th consecutive year. It led to an increase in the production of opiates by 8%. What were the reasons behind the increase in opium production in Afghanistan? Source of income: Taliban is involved in promoting… Continue reading Narco-terrorism: Afghanistan, the rise of a narco-terrorist state
Protect, don’t pander: On suppression of free speech
News: Bangalore’s show of stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui has been cancelled owing to the fear that it would create law and order problems and disrupt peace and harmony. Police even arrested the local organizers and those selling tickets for the show which had nothing to do with the content of his performance . A similar… Continue reading Protect, don’t pander: On suppression of free speech
Omicron’s lesson: We’re not covid-safe until everyone is
News: The emergence of Omicron has evoked fresh demands for booster shots. Rich countries continue to stockpile and administer booster shots, while people in many low and low-middle income countries wait for their first jab. However, the emergence of new variants from low-vaccination-coverage regions essentially means that covid could be a never-ending battle. The only… Continue reading Omicron’s lesson: We’re not covid-safe until everyone is
India’s informal economy has not shrunk
News: SBI Research study claimed that there is greater formalisation of the economy According to a recent State Bank of India (SBI) Research report, the informal economy in India has been shrinking since 2018. The report claims that the share of the informal sector is just 15-20% in 2021 compared to 52.4% in 2018. According… Continue reading India’s informal economy has not shrunk
The many challenges before trade unions
News: Trade unions have intensified their agitation against the Codes in the wake of the government’s decision to repeal the farm laws. The labour code requires repeal for many reasons. However, as opposed to the success of farmers’ protests, the trade unions’ agitations failed in achieving their demands. What are the problems with the labour… Continue reading The many challenges before trade unions
