-The Economic Times New discoveries of natural resources in several African countries - including Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique - raise an important question: will these windfalls be a blessing that brings prosperity and hope, or a political and economic curse, as has been the case in so many countries? On average, resource-rich countries have done even more poorly than countries without resources. They have grown more slowly, and with greater inequality...

-The Hindu “I seek the indulgence of the House… 3. …I want to assure Hon’ble Members that as the Minister in charge [for a part of the time covered by the report], I take full responsibility for the decisions of the Ministry. I wish to say that any allegations of impropriety are without basis and unsupported by the facts. 10. The observations of the CAG are clearly disputable. 11. The policy of allocation of...

-Frontline Health activists say the health chapter of the Twelfth Plan document exaggerates the role of the private sector in providing health care. The draft chapter on health for the Twelfth Five Year Plan document not only is grossly inadequate in its approach but exaggerates to unrealistic levels the role of the private sector in providing health care. It invokes the concept of universal health care (UHC), but, critics say, it...

-The Times of India The threat of cancellation looms large over Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone's 1,840-hectare enclave in Gujarat for alleged violation of Centre's norms, including unauthorized construction over a plot that was not vacant. While a show-cause notice was issued a couple of months ago, and permission "suspended", the commerce and industry department is expected to issue the final orders over the next few days. Sources said commerce secretary...

-PTI Odisha and Jharkhand today resolved to end illegal mining activities in their border areas by adopting information technology-based solutions. "We have discussed several issues including inter-state movement of minerals. We have decided to adopt IT solutions to overcome the illegal mining activities in the border areas," Odisha's home secretary U N Behera told reporters here. Jharkhand Home Secretary J G Tubid said "We are looking into all aspects of the illegal mining...