Articles
Aug 05 2018
INLAND WATERWAYS
National waterways in need of a new course
INLAND WATERWAYS : National waterways in need of a new course

The Centre gears up to take national control of the Kosi and Gandak rivers in north Bihar and turn them into commercial waterways, leaving many important questions unanswered or ignored. Shripad Dharmadhikary and the Manthan team report on findings from a recent visit to the region.
Jul 28 2018
INDIAN RAILWAYS
Rail link to coal is becoming unsustainable
INDIAN RAILWAYS : Rail link to coal is becoming unsustainable
How much longer can coal transport continue to subsidise passenger fares? In a changing landscape for power production and transmission, Indian Railways and the Government will need to make new choices, says a new research report published by Brookings India.
Jul 24 2018
OPINION
The dichotomy in India’s rule of law
OPINION : The dichotomy in India’s rule of law
The rule of law guides our legislative, executive and judiciary and all other institutions yet our country is in chaos. Harish Narasappa analyses the role of reason in making the rule of law stronger and effective to bring order in the country.
Jul 18 2018
PRS LEGISLATIVE BRIEF
Monsoon Session 2018: What to expect
PRS LEGISLATIVE BRIEF : Monsoon Session 2018: What to expect
The Monsoon Session of Parliament began today and will continue till August 10, 2018. It is scheduled to have 18 sittings during this period. PRS Legislative Research outlines what is in store in the upcoming session.
Jul 10 2018
GOSIKHURD IRRIGATION PROJECT
Thirty-four years of irregularities and failures
GOSIKHURD IRRIGATION PROJECT : Thirty-four years of irregularities and failures

The recently released CAG audit report on Maharashtra has heavily criticized the time and cost overruns in Gosikhurd irrigation project in Vidarbha. Himanshu Upadhyaya analyses the report to list the shortcomings of the project.
Jul 07 2018
RURAL WOMEN
Unheard and unknown they lead
RURAL WOMEN : Unheard and unknown they lead

Issues that affect underprivileged women have not got enough attention in the mainstream feminist movements in India. Yet women from rural areas and from lower classes and castes have been leading struggles for their rights, says Navya P. K.
Jul 05 2018
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Incandescent bulbs continue to flicker
ENERGY EFFICIENCY : Incandescent bulbs continue to flicker
Recent research by the Prayas Energy Group shows that notwithstanding a big spike in demand for LEDs in recent years, more steps are needed to phase out incandescent bulbs.
Jul 03 2018
CRIME SURVEYS
The way we measure hate crimes is simply bogus
CRIME SURVEYS : The way we measure hate crimes is simply bogus
Safety and criminality in society must be assessed directly from the people themselves. The government is deluding itself and citizens by conflating law enforcement statistics with crime data, writes Tara Krishnaswamy.
Jul 01 2018
WATER CRISIS
What you can’t measure properly, you can’t manage properly
WATER CRISIS : What you can’t measure properly, you can’t manage properly
Shripad Dharmadhikary critiques the recently released NITI Aayog’s report on Composite Water Management Index.
Jun 24 2018
AGRARIAN DISTRESS
The missing ‘market’ for agriculture
AGRARIAN DISTRESS : The missing ‘market’ for agriculture
The first of a three part series on the crisis facing farmers today, by Kannan Kasturi.
May 24 2018
NUCLEAR POWER
What nuclear weapons have done to us
NUCLEAR POWER : What nuclear weapons have done to us
Pokhran-II happened on May 1998, Firdaus Ahmed writes if nuclear weapons have made us more secure in these last twenty years.
May 02 2018
URBAN RIVERS
Concrete riverfronts or ecological rejuvenation?
URBAN RIVERS : Concrete riverfronts or ecological rejuvenation?
A two-day dialogue on urban rivers held in Pune recently focused on the plight of urban rivers. Shripad Dharmadhikary reports and presents his views.
Apr 24 2018
CAG AUDIT IN ODISHA
Waiting for compliance patiently
CAG AUDIT IN ODISHA : Waiting for compliance patiently
Himanshu Upadhyaya examines a CAG audit report to point out the blatant non-compliance of environmental laws largely by the Forest officials.
Apr 08 2018
TEESTA STAGE III HEP
Violating laws, making losses, damaging environment
TEESTA STAGE III HEP : Violating laws, making losses, damaging environment
Teesta Urja’s penchant for getting into trouble and illegalities continues unabated. Soumik Dutta reports.
Apr 03 2018
BRIDE TRAFFICKING
The stories of Paros
BRIDE TRAFFICKING : The stories of Paros

Shoma A. Chatterji brings focus to the issue of bride trafficking, a lesser known but widely prevalent practice in parts of India, through movie Paro.
Mar 28 2018
MAHANADI WATER DISPUTE
Setback for optimal river basin planning
MAHANADI WATER DISPUTE : Setback for optimal river basin planning
Shripad Dharmadhikary explains why setting up a tribunal to resolve the Mahanadi Water Dispute will not help the people or the river.
Mar 17 2018
PASSIVE EUTHANASIA
Freedom to choose death
PASSIVE EUTHANASIA : Freedom to choose death

The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment has allowed passive euthanasia, thereby giving succour to terminally ill patients and their relatives, but is India culturally ready for this move? Ramesh Menon reports.
Mar 15 2018
ARMY POLITICS
Dissension in the top brass?
ARMY POLITICS : Dissension in the top brass?
Firdaus Ahmed reflects on the possibility that there is a budding pushback from the army commanders to their Chief’s increasing proximity with the ruling party at the Center.
Mar 06 2018
SHORT FILM
Questioning a sacred relationship
SHORT FILM : Questioning a sacred relationship
Shoma Chatterji reviews a beautiful short film Amma Meri that was screened recently in a film festival.
Feb 05 2018
SMART CITIES MISSION
What is a Smart City?
SMART CITIES MISSION : What is a Smart City?
Last month the government announced the list of 9 new Smart Cities, taking the total of Smart Cities to 99. Prachee Mishra of PRS legislative takes a look at the Smart Cities Mission and a few issues with it.