-TheNewsMinute.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s advocacy of Zero Budget Natural Farming comes after the controversial farm laws were repealed. But further critical examination is crucial. In a televised address to the nation on the morning of November 19th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought forgiveness from farmers and the entire nation “with all sincerity of purpose and from the bottom of my heart” for aggressively and undemocratically promoting three controversial farm laws. He...

-Down to Earth From floodplain identification to flood hazard map to availability of rain gauges, CAG report points out shortcomings in Kerala’s flood response Could poor response on part of the Kerala government have caused the massive floods of 2018 in the state? A recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pointed at severe lapses on the part of the government in planning, capacity building, flood forecasting and dam...

-The Hindu The onus is on the government to ensure that there is a robust system of public data production and use When evidence-based policymaking becomes the cornerstone of good governance, it is difficult to overstate the importance of reliable and timely public data. Such data have a direct bearing on the state’s capability to design and implement programmes effectively. Among the emerging economies, India is credited to have a relatively robust...

-Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) and Child Rights and You (CRY) The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the lives of vulnerable children towards deep uncertainty resulting from household financial setbacks and school closures. Children who have lost parents or guardians too stare at a bleak present and future. Addressing concerns of their protection necessitates child-sensitive policy measures supported by adequate budgetary allocations. This policy brief maps the crises they have been...

-PTI/ The New Indian Express Three people were killed and hundreds were marooned as torrential rains lashed Bareilly and Pilibhit districts over two days, officials said. LUCKNOW: BJP MP Varun Gandhi, whose Pilibhit constituency has been hit by heavy rains, on Thursday attacked the Uttar Pradesh government, saying if the common man is left to fend for himself, what does governance mean. Three people were killed and hundreds were marooned as torrential rains...