• Panchayats are free to choose their development priorities, allot funds and set time-limits for programme implementation, generate internal resources, collect taxes and impose fines. •

The Third World feels that the move by the industrialised countries to link ADB's lending policies to social objectives may hamper growth in Asia

The international convention on desertification is plagued by differences of opinion on financial resources and funding mechanisms

North vs South differences of opinion and the donor countries' control over funds has impeded the phasing out of ozone depleting substances in the developing countries

The finance minister has placed his bets on growth through rapid technological development, but critics say he should proceed with caution

HIT BY a severe recession, Japanese companies are reducing spending on research and development (R&D) and many firms are scaling down low-priority or long-term projects in favour of those that offer

A PLAN to reward UK farmers switching to organic methods has been criticised for not recognising those already practising organic farming. Under the five-year scheme, the government will pay British

INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund statistics show military spending in the world, excluding the countries of the former Soviet Union, fell from 3.9 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) in 1986

To boost the stagnant demand for solar heating devices, the Union ministry of nonconventional energy sources (MNES), along with the ministry for urban development, has chalked out a scheme to make