INDIA
Rural COVID-19 warriors up in arms; fixed wage less than Rs 100 a day
An army of overworked and underpaid women is the backbone of the fight against the pandemic in rural areas. These unsung heroes are not given protective gear and paid a pittance
INDIA
Big lesson from Covid is that India must abandon the US healthcare model: Jean Dreze
Jean Dreze, the Belgian-born hunger economics expert, on the devastation of Covid, what plagues MNREGA, central government’s relief measures, stimulus packages, vaccination drive and more.
INDIA
Free goodies for the well-off in southern states amid calls for universal PDS
Economists say that welfare schemes, particularly in the time of the pandemic, should be expanded so that needy people can get the benefit even if they are unable to access the central schemes
INDIA
COVID-19 impact – delayed payments, less work pushes up MNREGA needs; raise total spends up to Rs 1.3 lakh crore, say activists
As the infection spreads to India's interior, livelihood loss is a double-edged sword: migrant workers losing jobs in cities are returning to their homes and need alternate sources of earning; campaigners demand tripling wages
BUSINESS
Budget 2021: Healthcare may finally get its due thanks to COVID-19
India has long been languishing at the bottom of the health-spending pecking order. The pandemic might significantly change the scene.
BUSINESS
Budget 2021: MNREGA is vital but needs more govt attention
Budget 2021: The government was forced to not just continue with MNREGA, but also increase the budgetary allocation under it in the pandemic year. The scheme is now counting on the upcoming budget for more money.
BUSINESS
Lockdown review: Parliamentary panel calls for overhaul of laws to safeguard rights of vulnerable sections
Home Affairs panel says the sudden lockdown resulted in unprecedented hardships for the vulnerable sections of the population, noting that migrant labourers, factory workers, daily wage earners were the worst affected.”
BUSINESS
India’s POSHAN efforts fall short in fight against malnutrition
The National Family Health Survey-5 report shows that in the 22 states and UTs covered under phase I, a majority reported an increase in malnutrition parameters such as stunting and wasting of children, anaemia in children and in women between 15-49 years of age.
ECONOMY
Why taking a train could soon become an expensive affair
Indian Railways’ passenger fares have always been heavily subsidised. And while passenger revenue has been hit with Covid crippling operations, even freight fares, which offset the lower passenger fares, have been reduced.
BUSINESS
IRSDC MD Lohia defends 'user fee' for stations, says infrastructure can only be developed if passengers pay
The railways has turned to private players to redevelop stations and wants to bid out at least 50 stations by March 2021. How will the plan work out and what about the user charge that is facing opposition? IRSDC MD and CEO Sanjeev Kumar Lohia answers these questions and more
BUSINESS
Indian Railways: 14% newly commissioned diesel locos failed within 100 days, not enough LHB coaches manufactured, says CAG
Defective material in loco manufacturing, bad workmanship main reasons. CAG also pulls up Railways on LHB coaches. A committee had recommended a switchover to the manufacture of these coaches by 2012. However, it came into effect only from April 1, 2018.
BUSINESS
Why the CAG found Indian Railways' finances in a sorry state
The CAG peeked through Indian Railways’ window and found it was dressing up numbers. Including advance freight earnings has done little to tackle the national transporter’s continuing pain. Internal resource generation has dwindled and dependence on borrowings is rising
BUSINESS
Private trains: Now, a single bidder can win all 12 train clusters
When the initial norms for private train operations were laid out in July, Indian Railways had specified that a single bidder cannot win more than three clusters. Two months down the line, the cap on the number of clusters has been eased, in what may be an indication of a tepid response to the auction.
BUSINESS
With only 2% of passenger trains running, Indian Railways’ July earnings down to a tenth of last year
Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav expects a passenger earnings shortfall of up to Rs 40,000 crore in FY21; transporter shifts focus to freight loading to bridge the deficit.
ECONOMY
Indian Railways' Private Trains Project: Why a regulator is critical before companies come forward to operate trains
Uppermost in the minds of many potential bidders is getting the Indian Railways to establish a resolution mechanism for resolving future disputes on fares, service standards and other operational parameters, when it offers some of the trains to private operators.
BUSINESS
Why it will be a challenge for private trains to operate in India
Private trains in India: Revenue-sharing clause, sheer level of investment required, competition from airlines could prove to be stumbling blocks
