-Scroll.in At the heart of the problem is a discrepancy between two laws on rights for Adivasis to the bamboo growing on their traditional forestlands. Across the world, taxonomists have classified bamboo as a grass. But under Indian law, it was treated as a tree. This definition has long given state forest departments monopolistic control over the valuable natural resource. On November 23, the central government loosened this grip by amending the...
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Should Rajasthan's Open Prisons Be Replicated Across the Country? -Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar
-TheWire.in A new report has recommended extending the scheme to all women, aged and infirm undertrials, claiming that it has many social and economic benefits for both the state and the inmates. A study on open prisons and parole practices in Rajasthan suggests that the “successful system,” operational in the state since 1955, be emulated across the country. The study, initiated by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA) and Rajasthan high court...
More »India's food subsidy programme, future of farmers hang in the balance -Ishan Kukreti
-Down to Earth At the upcoming WTO meet, India has to negotiate a better deal to ease restrictions on giving food subsidies When the World Trade Organization (WTO) meets in Buenos Aires in Argentina next month, India would be arguing for something of immense importance for the country’s agrarian economy. At the Eleventh Session of the Ministerial Conference of WTO from December 10 to 13, India will try to prevent restrictions on...
More »Where Do Nepal and Bhutan Stand One Year After Demonetisation? -Devirupa Mitra
-TheWire.in While Nepal is still awaiting a way to return the banned notes, Bhutan has curbed the use of the new high-denomination notes. New Delhi: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would demonetise over 80% of its bank notes on November 8, 2016, two neighbouring nations were also taken by surprise. Nepal and Bhutan both have significant reserves and usage of Indian currency, with the latter giving it the status of...
More »Denial of MGNREGA entitlements continues in blatant violation of Supreme Court orders
-Press release from NREGA Sangharsh Morcha The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Swaraj Abhiyan in the Supreme Court on the severe drought conditions in the country had drawn the attention of the Court to the inadequate effort of the Central and state governments in implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), amongst other welfare programmes. In its last judgment on issues of MGNREGA workers on 13 May...
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