-Newsclick.in In his letter to Modi, former civil servant EAS Sarma has also sought provisions for CAG audit and disclosure of details of donors and amounts contributed to the public charitable trust. New Delhi: Former Secretary to the Government of India, EAS Sarma, while appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intent, has called for ensuring “utmost transparency and public accountability” in the operation of the PM CARES Fund, set up as a public...

-The Hindu How the public health versus economic health trade-off can be resolved during this pandemic As it fights COVID-19 with its meagre healthcare resources, India has chosen to BRIng the economy to a near halt with no clear idea of how many lives can be saved in this manner. What is going to be the cost of this decision? The 21-day lockdown will reduce the gross value added (GVA) during this...

-TheWire.in In the 19th century, fierce opposition from Indians to epidemic control measures forced BRItish officials to reach out to community leaders for help. This could help India tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many terrains where public health and religion cross paths, but epidemics are certainly the most bumpy. Contemporary examples include the large gatherings of people at several religious sites in India, including the Nizamuddin markaz and an Akkalkot temple,...

-TheWire.in Our relentless pursuit of economic growth poses serious risks not just to the environment but also to public health. The COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a public health crisis, but it BRIngs along with it an economic crisis that is no less devastating. The public health crisis and the economic crisis are closely interrelated, especially in a country like India. India’s healthcare system lacks the resources to withstand the potential...

-Mongabay.com * India’s ongoing lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus is threatening the agriculture sector as it overlaps with the time of harvest. * The lockdown has derailed harvest preparation and lack of agricultural labour to help in harvest and restrictions on transportation of produce despite being given waivers as essential services. * Farmer leaders and agriculture experts criticised the relief package announced by the government to aid farmers impacted by the...