THE NEWS IN
PROPORTION
17 February 2020
17 February 2020
CPI MOVEMENTS
Has the Modi government kept its promises on inflation?
Has the Modi government kept its promises on inflation?
S Venkatraman presents an interesting set of charts to capture the movement of the consumer price index and finds that the answer to this question may not be an easy one to arrive at.
ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS
It ain’t so difficult to green your home!The energy efficiency and environmental benefits accruing from green buildings and living spaces are widely known, but it is often inertia and misinformation that prevents the adoption of these alternatives. Chandrashekar Hariharan discusses a few easy steps that could foster greener urban infrastructure.
E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
When companies flout norms and regulators look awayA recent report from environmental research group Toxics Link exposes how multinationals are flagrantly violating the MoEF-notified rules on e-waste, even as the authorities empowered to enforce implementation remain passive. Richa Malhotra details the key findings.
INFLATION
Why your bag of vegetables costs more every week!It is certainly not because of mere demand-supply mismatch. Kannan Kasturi deconstructs the supply chain dynamics and credit linkages in the vegetable markets to show how these, coupled with government impotence, have led to uncontrolled, spiralling inflation.
TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
Have you overstepped the Sustainable Consumption Line?Humanity has collectively crossed the limits necessary for ecological sustainability. Ashish Kothari argues for a sustainable consumption line that would ensure individuals and communities do not partake of resources in a way that deprives others or endangers the environment further.
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
A raw deal for consumersThe Consumer Protection Act passed by the Indian government in 1986 defeats its own objectives in the way that it functions today; Sakuntala Narasimhan reveals how it sidelines consumer rights and protects the bigger multinationals operating in the emerging market.
CERC ORDER IN ADANI CASE
Corporate interests rise above allDespite privatisation in the power sector, consumer interests are professed to be safeguarded through competitive processes and independent regulatory authorities, but a recent order in favour of Adani Power Ltd. dents such assertions. Shripad Dharmadhikary analyses the implications.
GAME THEORY
Should bribe-givers be let off?Researchers conduct experiments to study Kaushik Basu's idea that only bribe-takers should be punished, and get insight that may help anti-corruption efforts. Tarun Jain reports.
RETAIL SECTOR
FDI: Just the facts, pleaseWhether foreign direct invesmtent in retail in India is good or bad should be judged by a reasoned debate based on facts, not hyperbole and exaggeration. Jacob John reports.
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Patients' rights on the riseAmidst a rising tide of reports of medical negligence in the media, the courts have stepped in to interpret laws in favour of patients, and to award large punitive damages. Shoma Chatterji reports.
HEALTH DRINK/CONSUMERS
From snow ball to coconut lassiThis Kochi's couple's one-year-old enterprise is perhaps the only serious attempt to market snow ball tender coconut so far. And in their response to irregularity of supply, they introduced the coconut lassi. Shree Padre has more.
ECONOMY/CONSUMERS
Tender coconut juice, instantly chilledMoments after a customer approaches this cart, the vendor pours tender coconut juice into a funnel-like part. Chilled juice comes out of a stainless steel tap below, filling a 250 ml glass, for Rs.10. Shree Padre reports about Fruit Hut Beverages, a Hyderabad-based firm that has launched the Coco Fresco brand.
KARNATAKA : ELECTRICITY REGULATION
Citizens input on power tariffsIn a few weeks, Karnataka will once again seek public input in setting electricity tariffs. While the era of state electricity boards has ended, public participation is important to counter pressures from the government, utility companies, and the commercial private sector on regulators, write Lina Krishnan, Gautam Menon and M V Ramana.
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Amitabha Basu
- Retired Scientist
- National Physical
- Laboratory
- India Together reader
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