Losers again

Proposed amendments to the forest Act will further weaken the position of forest dwellers

Rules of e-dump

Shifting ground

Turmoil in academia

On May 13 when the term of the body of governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI) expires, it seems there would be no one at the helm of medical education in the country. The Union health ministry is still undecided on who should take charge of MCI.

UN reviews road safety plan

ON APRIL 19 when the plenary of the UN General Assembly met in Washington to discuss road safety, the message was loud and clear: countries must act fast to save at least five million lives and prevent 50 million serious injuries during this decade.

Who’s afraid of auctioning coal?

THE Union ministries of coal and mines seem to have geared into action after a draft report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on allotment of coal blocks without auction was leaked to the media.

‘Tribal philosophy can’t be ignored beyond a point’

Your views on the tribal way of life. Interviewee:  Sanjay Basu Mullik

The civil spring

It is a spring India’s civil society will remember for a long time. A series of government and judicial pronouncements this February has created a flutter among non- government organisations (NGOs) and activists working on key governance issues.

Court questions sealing relief law

UNCERTAINTY prevails over the law the government has been using to legalise illegal constructions in Delhi. In December 2011, the Supreme Court had taken cognizance of the law and asked the government to explain how it adheres to the Masterplan for Delhi, 2021. The hearing scheduled for March 13 did not take place. The new date has not been scheduled yet.

Voiceless representatives

IN his Budget speech this year, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee forecast a bright future for the Indian economy, announcing fiscal 2012-13 to be a year for revival. At the same time, he ensured that the “pro-market” Budget took one more step towards limiting Parliament’s role in crucial economic decision-making.