-Down to Earth The latest figures suggest that Manipur spends more OOPE in both rural and urban areas, whereas Gujarat spends less among states and Dadra and Nagar Haveli among Union territories There has been a substantial increase in out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) in various states and Union territories of India despite various maternal schemes having been implemented by the Union and state governments, according to the National Family Health Survey-5. Dependency...

-TheWire.in Only a serious overhaul can remedy the fundamental shortcomings in our constitution. It is now clear that India, the world’s largest democracy, is being run by an oligarchy, a form of government where the real power lies with just a few individuals and families. This became tragically evident from the recent saga of India’s agricultural reforms. Three farm laws were enacted by a coterie in the Centre without even recognising that...

-The Hindu Use of contraceptives on the rise, rural-urban gap narrowing, finds analysis of NFHS-5 The latest data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) provides evidence of an uptake in the use of modern contraceptives in rural and urban areas, an improvement in family planning demands being met, and a decline in the average number of children borne by a woman, and prove that the country’s population is stabilising and fears...

-CaravanMagazine.in In May 2020, 10 central trade unions jointly wrote twice to Guy Ryder, the director general of the International Labour Organisation, drawing attention to the plight of migrant workers during the COVID-19 crisis as well as the government’s dilution and suspension of labour laws. In May, several states—including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat—introduced sweeping changes in labour laws such as increasing the working hours from eight to 12. The...

-The Hindu Discontent over the new farm laws is a result of sidestepping debate and discussion in Parliament The ongoing farmers’ agitation epitomises the need to have detailed discussions and consultations while making law and policy. The process of building consensus and addressing concerns may be time-consuming, but it leads to greater acceptance of policy objectives. While such work has to be done at multiple levels, Parliament is perhaps the most important...