DRDA faces axe

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

A question of control

Karnataka's new panchayati raj law has sparked a debate, with the Congress government saying it gives the people more power and opposition …

Earnest endeavours

West Bengal's women panchayat members have become the torchbearers of rural development programmes in the state

A travesty of justice

The new rehabilitation policy for project displaced persons is official jargon mongering

Artisans the untold story

Despair and devastation stare India's artisans in their face, as resource crunch, modern civilisation and government apathy combine in an …

Boss, the real beehive!

Rahul Gandhi’s idea of governance needs fresh focus. How about more autonomy to nearly 240,000 panchayats?

Employment schemes fail to ease rural poverty

The government's employment generation schemes, laudable though they may be, have yet to achieve their goals. Not involving intended …

Women panchayat presidents are no rubber-stamp leaders

Of the 12,619 Gram Panchayats in Tamil Nadu, one-third or nearly 4,200 panchayats are headed by women -- following the 73rd amendment to the …

Reclaiming retail democracy

A Gandhian economist ahead of his time

Kumarappa was a close associate of Gandhiji and a firm believer in the theory the village must be made the focus of economic planning. Aware of …

MALAR miracle

From literacy to economic independence

Only plans, no integration

Messiahs to rural folk

A few individuals are trying to bring about changes at the grassroots level through dedicated and sustained work

Stop being airtight

Community radio network is a must to ensure development

Leaving the farmer in his agony

The BJP government is set on introducing policies which will deepen the agrarian crisis instead of reviving the rural economy

Artisans the untold story

Despair and devastation stare India's artisans in their face, as resource crunch, modern civilisation and government apathy combine in an …

Let states decide

Is social sector revenue or capital expenditure?

How women seized NREGA

In defence of capitalism

Diluting MGNREGA does not make market sense

Smart farming

Two IITians explore ways to make farming profitable for Bihar farmers

How NREGA helped Panihari village

Bring back the social sector, but not interventionist planning

Building dreams for homeless

Government promises land to the homeless in its draft Homestead Bill, but where’s the land?

Lean, mean scheme

Budget to start process of reforming Central rural schemes, 45 years after first demand