-Newsclick.in ‘In fact, this is a common practice adopted by majority of builders/developers which is basically an unfair trade practice,’ the NCDRC had said in its order. In a significant victory for home-buyers the Supreme Court dismissed a builder’s appeal on January 12 and upheld the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission’s (NCDRC) ruling in favour of a home-buyer. It had held that the builder’s demand for more money over the contractual sale,...

-TheIndiaForum.in The uniqueness of agriculture calls for continued & not less government intervention. Reform of Indian agriculture is needed, but this must be to enhance state capacities and strengthen regulatory oversight. What would be a “better government that is better”? Over the past 30-40 years, all over the world, the word “reform” has come to acquire a very specific MEAning. Summed up as the Washington Consensus, it proposes reducing the role of...

-The Hindu In the event of further judicial intervention, there are grounds and an opportunity for the government to revisit the laws With the Supreme Court of India staying the operation of the farm laws and setting up a committee of experts to negotiate with the government and the farmers, the agitation being carried on by the farmers is entering a new phase. The farmers’ unions have not reacted favourably to the...

-ThePrint.in Protesting farmers didn’t approach the court, neither did the Modi govt. And the SC put the constitutionality of the laws on the back burner. In rejecting the Supreme Court-appointed expert committee to mediate between farmers and the Narendra Modi government, the farmers’ organisations have not only wisely sidestepped a possible trap, but they have also reaffirmed a basic principle of democratic accountability and responsible governance. Let there be no confusion about it....

-Down to Earth The number of pandemic-induced new poor is forecast to rise to 143-163 million in 2021 The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which forced economies around the world to lock down last year, may have increased global poverty by 119 million-124 million, according to updated estimates by World Bank. This includes the 31 million people who would have moved out of poverty (MEAsured at the international poverty line of $1.90, or...