The country’s attention may be focused on an ever-increasing energy needs, but water is a much bigger issue, says a key policymaker in the government. “Water crisis is a more serious issue than energy crisis,” said Montek Singh Ahluwalia , deputy chairman of Planning Commission, at the World Economic Forum on Sunday. Speaking at a session on ‘How will India avert a Water Crisis?’ Mr Ahluwalia said that that the government...

Noted Gandhian and economist L C Jain passed away on Sunday afternoon at the age of 85 after a courageous battle against cancer. L C Jain — organizer, commentator, activist — was born in 1925, the child of India's first freedom movement. He spent more than six decades of his life as an impassioned crusader for what Gandhi called India's second freedom struggle. Jain was known as a fierce opponent of...

"Inclusiveness" may be the UPA's winning mantra, but a government survey reveals that just 18% households in rural India have access to basis amenities -- drinking water, sanitation and electricity. Urban areas enjoy these facilities in 68% households. While the UPA regained power on its "aam aadmi" plank, the NSSO survey highlights that a vast majority in rural India still lack basic civic amenities. Around 65% of rural households have no sanitation...

Well-known Gandhian and Magsaysay Award winner L.C. Jain passed away on Sunday following prolonged illness. He was 85. An economist, organiser, commentator and activist, Mr. Jain spent more than six decades of his life as an impassioned crusader for what Mahatma Gandhi called India's second freedom struggle — the fight against socio-economic oppression. Known as a fierce opponent of overwhelming state control and an ardent advocate for social action, his efforts to keep...

The NAC proposals for the food security bill are narrow and lack in vision. What is needed is a comprehensive bill with universalisation of PDS and a focus on child malnutrition.   There was much excitement when food security became one of the issues in the manifestos of most major political parties in the run up to the 2009 General Elections. With burgeoning food stocks, double-digit food inflation, stagnant malnutrition rates, declining...