-Economic and Political Weekly   The runaway growth in states of subsidised solar pumps, which provide quality energy at near-zero marginal cost, can pose a bigger threat of groundwater over-exploitation than free power has done so far. The best way to meet this threat is by paying farmers to "grow" solar power as a remunerative cash crop. Doing so can reduce pressure on aquifers, cut the subsidy burden on electricity companies, reduce...

-The Hindu Business Line There has to be a reasonable compromise between the two In seeking to industrialise in a hurry, the government is pushing for changes in land acquisition and environment laws that are politically shortsighted and economically flawed. The proposed changes in the Right to Fair Compensation in the Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act involve diluting the consent clause in the case of PPP projects to 50 per cent...

-The Hindu A recent report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicate that there has been a significant rise in the number of registered cases of crimes against women and children in Delhi/NCR. Sample this: the number of rape cases has seen a spurt from 706 in 2012 to more than double at 1,636 last year, while cases of assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty have spiked...

-The Indian Express Sixty-four years after caste untouchability was abolished by the Constitution, more than a fourth of Indians say they continue to practise it in some form in their homes, the biggest ever survey of its kind has revealed. Those who admit to practising untouchability belong to virtually every religious and caste group, including Muslims, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Going by respondents' admissions, untouchability is the most widespread among Brahmins, followed...

-The Hindu Kollam (Kerala): A scheme implemented by the district panchayat for the welfare and health care of pregnant Adivasi women and infants is turning out to be a model for other districts, district panchayat president S. Jayamohan has said. Since the implementation of the scheme no infant mortality had been reported in the Adivasi belts of the district. Terming it ‘Kollam model,' Mr. Jayamohan said that providing nutritious food would be...