MISSING INPUTS
CAG finds gaps in Arunachal education
While the infusion of SSA funds has helped the State make considerable progress on many counts, there is still much to be done, to ensure all the necessary inputs flow to the schools.
Education
December 2012 INFRASTRUCTURE
Public private prank
It is a sign of trouble when experienced players sit out and fly-by-night-type operators take control. In the case of public infrastructure, this is exactly what is happening.
October 2012

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Struggling to go beyond the basics
Sikkim leads the nation in per-student expenditure, but bureaucratic hurdles to progress are to be found here too.
Education
September 2012

EDUCATION BUDGETS
Funding at a snail's pace
All the increased budgets for education in the country may not amount to much, if the States don't move the money fast enough to the intended uses, which is not happening now. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.
Education
August 2012

FUEL PRICES
Oil subsidy is all gas
Far from subsidising the public, governments made the aam admi bear a substantial part of their expenditure on the production and sale of fuels.
Energy
December 2011

3G SPECTRUM
Static in the 3G signal
Private telcos see intra-circle roaming agreements as a way to provide pan-India 3G service. But TRAI, BSNL believe such deals are illegal.
October 2011

TRADING WATER
Back-pedaling the market mantra
The Chawla Committee backs away from recent efforts to create a market for water rights. Still, it doesn't go far enough in recognising the importance of citizens' involvement.
Water
July 2011

SARDAR SAROVAR
Cooking the dam books
In theory various rules govern the use of AIBP funds to execute projects. In practice, as the CAG reminds us, money is liberally diverted, and the States and the Centre both look away.
Narmada campaign
April 2011

PDS 'REFORMS'
Cash transfers and food insecurity
With the proposed switch from food rations to direct cash payments to the poor, the government may be trying to free itself from its commitment to supply each BPL family with a certain quantity of food.
Food security
March 2011

SHARING TAXES
More responsibilities, less funds
The States of India account for about 55 per cent of the combined expenditure of the Union and the States, but the Centre now collects two-thirds of the combined tax revenues.
September 2010

CURE WORSE THAN DISEASE
MGNREGA payments: bad to worse?
To check corruption, the Centre is routing funds through banks and POs. But this has resulted in delayed payments and loss of faith in the system.
Employment
July 2010

IPL CRICKET
How to feed your billionaires
Freebies for the IPL - at a time of savage food subsidy cuts for the poor - benefit four men who make the Forbes Billionaire List of 2010 and a few other, mere multi-millionaires.
P Sainath
April 2010

WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE
A canal of misery
The 260-km Sharda Sahayak canal took 32 years to complete, and cost almost 20 times the original estimate. It irrigates only half the area it was supposed to, and has created untold suffering along its path.
Uttar Pradesh
April 2010

STATE FINANCES
Untying the states
States are demanding a higher share of tax revenue from the Centre, citing the need for development funds as well as flexibility in spending money according to local priorities.
March 2010

THE BUDGET
Yet another pro-farmer budget!
Maybe the pro-farmer claim was a typing error. This is a budget crafted for, and perhaps by, the corporate farmer and agribusiness.
P Sainath | Agriculture
March 2010

DISASTER RELIEF
Everybody loves a good flood
Sloppy and biased surveys and paltry compensation have made flood victims in Koppal and Bellary districts run from pillar to post to get what is rightfully theirs.
Relief | Karnataka
December 2009

KARNATAKA'S VICTIMS
Devastated by floods, drowned by corruption
North Karnataka's flood victims feel that it was easier to run away from raging waters than deal now with a corrupt bureaucracy.
Relief | Karnataka
December 2009

STATE REFORMS
Bihar's bridges, way to a new work culture
The Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam, which was on the verge of being liquidated, has built over 330 bridges in three years.
Transport | Bihar
July 2009

FINANCING POWER PROJECTS
Public risk, private profit
The CERC is mandated with balancing the interests of power generation companies and their consumers. But it appears that its new regulations are heavily skewed against the latter.
Energy
March 2009

NARMADA BONDS
Reckless borrowing, unholy redemption
The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam moved again to redeem its bonds prematurely, despite indictments from the apex auditor and objections by SEBI.
Gujarat
February 2009

PUBLIC AUDIT
CAG: Caged tiger, much ado
From wanting CBI-like and CIC-like powers to not being able to push Ministries to learning lessons and more, India's top auditor has time and again rung the bells. Who is listening?
November 2008

SOPS FOR METROS
Give us a break, Mr Sreedharan
The Delhi Metro chief's warning that Hyderabad's model for its Metro could lead to a political scandal overlooks the subsidies his own organisation has received.
Delhi | Andhra Pradesh | Transport
October 2008

OPINION/DEFENCE PAY
Heed the silent protest
The defence services are unhappy with the sixth Central Pay Commission, and this cannot be in the best interests of the nation.
Guest columns | Security
October 2008

RECLAIMING HEALTH POLICY
Missing: A 'healthy' debate
If public health systems are failing on account of certain causes, the solution should lie in fixing them. However, the state seems to be looking for an escape route.
Public Health
August 2008

PUBLIC FINANCE
CAG indicts SEZ policy
Auditor finds a key objective of the SEZ policy has not only been defeated, but the policy had resulted in revenue losses of hundreds of crores of rupees.
June 2008

OPINION
Of loan waivers and tax waivers
A majority of Vidharbha's farmers do not gain from the farm loan waiver because they are too 'big.' But the IPL waiver goes to some of India's richest millionaires and billionaires.
P Sainath | Agriculture
May 2008