The government is returning to a 1970s mentality. This mentality used a presumptive distrust of citizens as an excuse for enhancing state power. It sought accountability, not through intelligently designed transparency norms, but greater discretionary power in state officials. And finally, it sought to curb citizens’ freedoms, not by directly assaulting them, but by embedding them in a structure of regulation that deters free expression. This mentality connects three recent sets...

The government's move to make tax evasion a criminal offence has drawn strong criticism from former policymakers and commentators, who say if such a move is implemented it will hurt economic activity, undo years of tax reforms and increase harassment. A panel headed by Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman Prakash Chandra, which held its first meeting on Thursday, will examine the proposal. The proposal appears to have been made because...

The Government proposal to make cash transfer in place of food grain to poor families has drawn mixed reactions. Raghuvir Nagar on the western outskirts of Delhi has of late turned into a turf for a war between two schools of thought. The war has not been limited to campaigns and debates and purportedly escalated to the level of allegations, even intimidation, so much so that the Government of the national...

-The Hindu   The High Level Committee appointed for tracing black money stashed away abroad and unearthing such ill-gotten wealth in the country, on Thursday decided to seek public comments on the issue. The committee, headed by Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman Prakash Chandra, held its first meeting and discussed laws that need to be amended to tackle the menace. It was set up by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee last...

Harvard and other major American universities are working through British hedge funds and European financial speculators to buy or lease vast areas of African farmland in deals, some of which may force many thousands of people off their land, according to a new study. Researchers say foreign investors are profiting from "land grabs" that often fail to deliver the promised benefits of jobs and economic development, and can lead to environmental...