-The Hindu Business Line While data from CMIE and EPFO present a contrasting picture, jobs in the unorganised sector continue to be difficult to assess Employment data in India have always been controversial as the concept per se is quite nebulous. While corporate data on employment is foolproof as the headcount is known and revealed in annual reports, the same cannot be said about the non-corporate sector. Often, data on employment exchanges...

-The Hindu Business Line Suggests CBDT to create a foolproof IT system, internal control mechanism The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pointed out significant errors in the assessment of over 350 cases related to corporate tax. It also advised the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to put in place a foolproof IT system and internal control mechanism to avoid such recurrences. In a report tabled in Parliament, the apex...

-The Hindu Dire need for awareness and education regarding the superstition, says study conducted in Odisha Health concerns continue to be a major underlying reason behind witchcraft related violence in Odisha while there is a dire need for awareness and education among the people regarding superstition, says a study that analysed 102 incidents of violence. The study ‘Witch-Hunting in Odisha’ conducted by State Commission for Women, Odisha and Action Aid Association, a non-government...

-Down to Earth Economic losses associated with lost productivity can reach up to $1.6 trillion annually if warming exceeds an additional 2°C relative to the present Rising heat and humidity due to global warming has prompted major loss in labour hours across the globe. India is one of the worst affected countries, according to a new study led by Duke University researchers. As heat and humidity levels rise because of climate change, options...

-Down to Earth Most of the victims were targeted for “causing health issues or crop failure” Witch-hunts are still highly prevalent in 12 of Odisha’s 30 districts — especially Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Malkangiri, Gajapati and Ganjam — a new report has claimed. Most victims of such superstitious practices were targeted for “causing health issues or crop failure”. Around 27 per cent cases were triggered by health issues in children, 43.5 per cent by...