The impact

Kerala's income growth rate has increased, among several other positive signs

A long haul

Decentralisation in Kerala is the work of a persistent civil society

Not being kept in loop: Odisha’s sarpanches on CM’s power decentralisation move

Several sarpanches who were given powers of district collectors alleged their administrative or financial roles were not spelt out clearly 

How tribal leadership in Chhattisgarh is helping people access rights

The civil society’s intervention in the tribal regions began in early 1980s on two issues-sustainable livelihood, particularly in forest …

Democracy's better half

Exclusive women's village councils are beginning to make a difference in India's rural areas. Are state governments ready to share power with them?

DRDA faces axe

District Rural Development Agency in conflict with Constitution; committee suggests its abolition

Born at 44

Odisha village gets pattas after nearly half a century. Land reform programmes get jumpstart

We plan to involve panchayats in monitoring pollution levels

Sheila Rani Chunkat has recently been appointed chairperson of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). She spoke to Binayak Das on how …

Sweet beris of Thar

Residents dig shallow wells to tap sweet water reserves

Sure cure: how to tackle India's undernutrition crisis in 10 steps

The finance ministry and the planning department can play an overarching role by ensuring health programmes get sufficient resources

Swachh Bharat cess: A few states may not agree on it

Except Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand, no other state has directly agreed to the central proposal

Rise of third sector

NGOs’ relationship with the government has been redefined over the years with changing social and political scenario

A debt-ridden state can offer little to its indebted farmers

Mourn

But it is better to take Andhra Pradesh as a challenge

Village Punukula's different

Managing yields without pesticides

Out on their own

Government delivery programmes provide little support to farmers

Churu says yes to hygiene

The district is all set to become the first in Rajasthan to completely stop open defecation. Will others follow?

Saving city lakes

To counter the rapid decline of its lakes, Karnataka is creating a new authority with powers to fine and imprison encroachers and polluters. Will …

Rural development schemes up for overhaul

Ministry of panchayati raj plans to develop model panchayats in different states through integrated development

Pawns in conservation

Maharashtra forest department’s conservation model puts Madia tribals in Naxals’ line of fire

Curse of limestone

Farmers from 12 Rajasthan villages refuse to part with fertile land for cement companies

Channels of change

Two villages in Uttar Pradesh have reversed the trend of migration by digging six kilometres of channels to bring water to drought-hit farms

Are Goa's village panchayats following high court orders on garbage disposal? State pollution board to enquire

Panchayats may face contempt proceedings

INEVITABLE TRAGEDY

SOPAN JOSHI travels through Andhra Pradesh, only to find that beyond the immediate crisis of state-wide farmers' suicide lies one decade of …

Shallow scheme

Drinking water project peppered with flaws