-Economic and Political Weekly There are basic methodological and conceptual problems with recent research that ends up arguing that private school education is more effective than public education. Such findings have obvious policy implications but it is critical that research that informs policy is based on a correct reading of facts, keeping the larger vision of education in mind. Recent research into the cost effectiveness of public education vis-à-vis private education concludes...

-The Telegraph New Delhi: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury today wrote to the chief election commissioner, protesting against what he called the poll panel's drive to link Aadhaar numbers with electoral cards and voicing fears that the data collected could be misused. In his letter, Yechury said the commission had "clarified" through a press communiqué that Aadhaar card details were "voluntary and not a compulsory requirement for being enrolled on the voters...

-Livemint.com WTO director general holds meetings with envoys from 7 major industrialized and developing countries Geneva: India has conveyed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) director general that commitments to reduce trade-distorting farm subsidies must be discussed before pursuing new ideas for reducing import tariffs on agriculture and industrial products for concluding the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) trade negotiations by year-end. Over the last 10 days, WTO director general Roberto Azev&ECIrc;do has...

-The Telegraph New Delhi: The law commission has opposed the concept of compulsory voting, saying it is "highly undesirable", and recommended that either the President or a governor - and not the Speaker - should dECIde whether to disqualify a lawmaker who switches sides. The recommendations are among a series of electoral reforms that the commission, headed by retired Delhi High Court Chief Justice A.P. Shah, has suggested in a report it...

-The Indian Express From barring independent candidates from contesting elections to making it mandatory for corporates to seek shareholders' approval at their annual general meetings before donating funds to political parties, the Law Commission of India is set to recommend sweeping electoral reforms in its 255th report which will be submitted to the government on Thursday. Sources in the commission told The Indian Express that the panel has also opposed compulsory voting....