Migration in India: A shift in agenda

Migration is an adaptation strategy for communities vulnerable to climate change impacts. Governments should plan for such demographic shifts

COVID-19: ‘Only a third of migrant workers getting relief measures’

At least 50 mln short-term circular migrants left out of any government identification process, according to IHD estimates

Rural distress: Demand for MGNREGA work sees spike again

This points to rural distress despite absence of COVID-19 restrictions on economic activities for past few months   

India’s migrant construction workers: An analysis of their welfare framework

There are prominent shortcomings in implementation, especially registration of workers and and collection and distribution of Cess

From quarters to kothis: A migrant couple’s journey to nowhere

Safety nets of millions of migrant workers came apart as COVID-19 lockdown came into force

Every hour, 21 people evicted from their homes in India amid pandemic: Report

Over 13,000 people were evicted during the peak of the 2nd COVID-19 wave  

As told to Parliament (March 8, 2021): Minister denies tribal peoples are protesting in Kevadia Colony near Statue of Unity

All that was discussed in the House through the day

Drying up of MGNREGA allocation will shrink the rural economy further

The focus of MGNREGA has, over time, shifted from employment creation to asset creation 

COVID-19: Odisha plans to prevent community transmission with weekend shutdowns at 11 districts

Doctors term the decision as illogical, say government should identify containment zones instead 

COVID-19: Sitharaman’s second tranche of economic stimulus fails to enthuse

Experts question announcements made for street vendors, small and marginal farmers and migrant workers

COVID-19: How will political economy of formal-informal sector play out

While the cost of lockdown was borne by population ignored by bureaucracy, benefits were incurred by a small influential group 

Reporter’s diary amid COVID-19: Reaching home

Down To Earth’s Vivek Mishra has walked from Delhi to Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh to capture the plight of workers returning home after …

COVID-19 has made the invisible visible

Migrants make economies tick and now with their return there are many questions about the future of work, of …

Increase minimum wage by Rs 199, cut calorie intake by 300, suggests expert panel

Suggestions include different national minimum wages across different geographical regions in the country to suit local requirement

Salt rush

Every year, marginal farmers from across the country travel to Mumbai's saltpans to earn some extra money

Will MGNREGA help again? Rs 1,387 crore pending in wages

Migrant workers are returning to their home states again as COVID-19 pandemic lashes out brutally at several urban centres 

Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (June 6-12, 2020)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

The untouchables: COVID-19 lockdown and the migrants

Social-distancing on the one hand and slipping back to age-old social discrimination on the other hand can break backs 

3 years of pandemic: I am still dealing with the havoc COVID wreaked on my health

Down To Earth reporter recounts his harrowing experience of dealing with post-COVID illnesses

Multiple crises: the cost of wasted time

Much like COVID-19, when WHO procrastinated, FAO too is “considering”when to declare the locust upsurge as a plague

Punjab extends time for brick kiln conversion to September

Those operating kilns with older technology still have to pay a fine depending upon the capacity of kiln under the polluter pay principle

COVID-19: Bihar profiles returned migrant workers for skills

The industry department has profiled skills of more than 80,000 migrant workers so far

Monsoon 2023: Long dry spells in August lead to crop failure in western Odisha

Workers expected to migrate early this time, brokers start approaching people to work in brick kilns

COVID-19: One nation, one ration card turns spotlight on 2017 govt report

The Union govt report had asked states to remove provisions that restricted migrants in accessing PDS benefits

What does Union Budget 2021-22 mean for students, farmers, migrants, health workers? Not much

What was expected in a time of crisis were bold decisions. But finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman decided to play it safe