Expect budget to be rural-centric, focus on delivery to beneficiaries

PM Modi has already launched a major water conservation campaign, put the focus of his second tenure on revival of the agrarian economy

Poverty eradication - Why do we always fail?

The government plans to bring one crore households out of poverty by 2019. Such targets are announced each year, but why don’t they work?

Back to toilet school

On August 15, the government announced it had achieved the target of building toilets in all schools in India. But are these toilets functional?

On the right track: railway to develop facilities for physically challenged passengers

Budget identifies employment avenue for physically challenged

Voiceless representatives

With market taking charge, MPs can do precious little to shape the Budget

Budget 2015: Uphold child rights for the ‘right’ future

At least 10 per cent of Union budget for children if they are to get proper education, nutrition and protection

Demand Nirbhaya—fearless—cities

Catalysing safe design for public spaces should be among the top priorities to make cities safe for women, children and elderly

Experts disappointed with budgetary allocation to renewables

There has been a 46.8 per cent decrease in gross budgetary support for renewable energy ministry, they say

बजट और हर घर जल मिशन, कितना दूर कितना पास

शहरों के 2.86 करोड़ घरों तक सुरक्षित पानी पहुंचाने के लिए इस बार के बजट में शहरी जल जीवन मिशन लांच किया गया है

Union Budget 2020-2021: Suggests closure of carbon-intensive coal power plants

But mere suggestion may not work for these repeat offenders

Budget 2020-21: Govt likely to set up a national ‘plantation corporation’

Experts express concern; say move against Constitution’s federal structure

Budget 2020-21: Local level adaptation may be focus vis-à-vis climate change

Funds might be allocated to Panchayati Raj ministry, IMD, other institutions to minimise impact of extreme weather

Budget 2017 Analysis with Sunita Narain

Centre for Science and Environment and Down to Earth analysed the 2017 Budget by Arun Jaitley. The major takeaway is that there is very little …

Delhi budget’s emphasis on reducing air pollution welcome: CSE

But the budget not including personal vehicle taxation as a measure to address explosive increase in cars and two-wheeler numbers is disappointing,…

Harsh Vardhan seeks tax of Rs 3.5 per stick on cigarettes, bidis

Earlier increase in tax ineffective in deterring smokers as it focused on length of cigarettes and led to production of shorter length cigarettes,…

Diesel cars dearer; cycles cheaper

Delhi allocates a fourth of its budget for improving transport

Budget 2013: 10 per cent surcharge on the super rich is justified and needed

But this needs to be accompanied by measures to improve compliance and wealth tax collection

Who gets how much

Budget outlay for different ministries and departments

Railway budget proposes a slew of measures for modernisation

Cost will be met through borrowings and debt service fund

Andhra Pradesh plans separate budget for agriculture and allied sectors

It would include a Rs 100-crore pilot project to introduce solar pump sets

It’s pouring money and schemes in agriculture

No dearth of funds for agri credit and new institutions

Forget Union budget, track state budgets now

Social sector spending by UPA regime

The UPA government in its 10 years in power increased spending in social welfare sectors but not on agriculture, the backbone of rural economy

Economic Survey low on health; public health infrastructure may take a backseat

The Survey reiterates the government’s commitment to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Budget 2017-18 expectations: ensure food security, minimise rural distress

This year’s budget must focus on preventing farmer suicides, strengthening crop insurance scheme and guaranteeing rural employment