-Tehelka Bureau Though well-meaning, the new Land Acquisition Act is far from being a perfect legislation. But the urgency to amend a law even before a real field test signals a larger agenda. By all counts, this was expected. Long before he became the BJP and subsequently the nation's chosen one, Narendra Modi had made it clear that his model of development gains from the ease of doing business. Then, days ahead...

-The Times of India Blog The presidential address to Parliament on June 9, 2014 had focussed nearly exclusively on projects and schemes, eschewing policy. Therefore, many had eagerly awaited the budget speech for a policy vision of the new government. Unfortunately, it too left observers guessing on whether the government would tackle tough reforms or rely principally on better implementation. Had this been the budget of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), arguably...

-Vikalp A remarkable feature of the first budget of the Modi government was that the numbers in it (see Table 1 for a summary) - of the revenues that are anticipated from different source, the expenditures allocated to different heads and the fiscal deficit which expresses the gap between the aggregates of these - were almost identical to those in the interim budget presented earlier in the year by the UPA...

-The Hindu State has sanctioned Rs. 43.75 lakh for Perambalur district Tamil Nadu: An intensive fodder development programme will be implemented in the district in irrigated and rainfed areas through a comprehensive programme. The government has sanctioned Rs. 43.75 lakh for this special scheme for 2014-15. Special agricultural implements with a focus on water harvesting strategy will be distributed among farmers and cultivators. Fodder with more protein content to enhance the weight of the livestock...

-The Indian Express India's expenditure on vaccines should count as sound investment in a healthy future. Plans by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introduce four new vaccines to India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) have been welcomed across the globe as one of the most significant leaps in India's public health policy in 30 years, and rightly so. These vaccines are currently available in India only on the private market, beyond the reach...