Is there a case for continuing with planning and persisting with practices that on the face of it seem to be irrelevant? This article draws attention to the need to define the role of planning and the Planning Commission in the economy post-liberalisation with greater clarity and to reform the institutions that are supposed to support the planning process to make them relevant and effective. With control over investment in the private sector beyond the purview of the Planning Commission, development planning can at best be indicative.

The food consumption pattern in India is diversifying towards high value commodities. The decline in per capita consumption of cereals, in particular, coarse cereals, has worsened the nutritional status of the rural poor. On the basis of National Sample Survey data on dietary patterns and consumer expenditure, this article examines empirical evidence on the nature and extent of long-term changes in consumption patterns and nutritional status of various socio-economic groups at the household level in rural and urban India.

Little is publicly known about the efficiency and economics of heavy water production at the Department of Atomic Energy’s facilities. We estimate the cost of producing heavy water at the Manuguru plant by analysing the available budget figures and assuming reasonable values for other factors that affect the cost and whose values are not publicly available. Our results suggest that the production costs significantly exceed the price charged under even extremely favourable and unrealistic assumptions.

The recent attempt by the ministry of environment and forests to arrive at a definition of

Supply-led water deprivation prevails in major cities in India. The per capita water availability in these cities is nowhere near the standards laid down by the World Health Organisation or the Bureau of Indian Standards (1993), and it is also far lower than that in other large cities in the world. The availability of water in Indian cities varies with socio-economic groups and areas.

The private sector has become an important supplier of varietal technology in agriculture. This has given rise to concerns about competition in the seed market.

Besides facilitating overall economic growth, finance can help individuals smooth their income, insure themselves against risks and broaden investment opportunities. Empirical evidence shows that inclusive financial systems significantly raise growth, alleviate poverty and expand economic opportunity. This paper lays out several principles that should be kept in mind when designing such systems, supported by a case study of ICICI Bank.

A new generation is now suffering the aftermath of the Bhopal gas

Within the framework of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, that consolidated the provisions of the Water Act of 1974 and the Air Act of 1981, India established pollution control boards to prevent, control and abate environmental pollution.

Based on primary source material, this paper unravels the undermining of development of vital transport infrastructure in Orissa, namely, Paradeep port and a proposed railway line for exploiting the rich mineral resources of the state