CIRCULARITY
Inclusive circularity: Waste-free, and just too

Encouraging the use of products for as long as possible does more than optimizing the use of natural resources. It can support sustainable innovation and  efficiency, and do so without diminishing the profitability of businesses.

#Energy #Waste #Economy
REGULATORY HEARINGS
Hearing in progress, click to join
REGULATORY HEARINGS : Hearing in progress, click to join

Electricity regulators have been effective in instituting online facilities to conduct hearings remotely. With more steps, virtual processes could improve participation in normal times too.

#Energy #Justice System #Laws
ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS
It ain’t so difficult to green your home!
ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS : It ain’t so difficult to green your home!

The environmental benefits accruing from green buildings and living spaces are widely known, but it is often inertia that prevents the adoption of these alternatives. Chandrashekar Hariharan discusses a few easy steps that could foster greener urban infrastructure.

#Energy #Urban Environment #Environment
E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
When companies flout norms and regulators look away

A recent report from environmental research group Toxics Link exposes how multinationals are flagrantly violating the MoEF-notified rules on e-waste, even as the authorities empowered to enforce implementation remain passive. Richa Malhotra details the key findings.

#Environmental Regulation #Waste #Environment
INFLATION
Why your bag of vegetables costs more every week!
It is certainly not because of mere demand-supply mismatch. Kannan Kasturi deconstructs the supply chain dynamics and credit linkages in the vegetable markets to show how these, coupled with government impotence, have led to uncontrolled, spiralling inflation.
#Agriculture Policy #Economy
TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
Have you overstepped the Sustainable Consumption Line?
Humanity has collectively crossed the limits necessary for ecological sustainability. Ashish Kothari argues for a sustainable consumption line that would ensure individuals and communities do not partake of resources in a way that deprives others or endangers the environment further.
#Climate #Environment #Ecommentary
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
A raw deal for consumers
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT : A raw deal for consumers
The Consumer Protection Act passed by the Indian government in 1986 defeats its own objectives in the way that it functions today; Sakuntala Narasimhan reveals how it sidelines consumer rights and protects the bigger multinationals operating in the emerging market.
#Laws
CERC ORDER IN ADANI CASE
Corporate interests rise above all
CERC ORDER IN ADANI CASE : Corporate interests rise above all
Despite privatisation in the power sector, consumer interests are professed to be safeguarded through competitive processes and independent regulatory authorities, but a recent order in favour of Adani Power Ltd. dents such assertions. Shripad Dharmadhikary analyses the implications.
#Economy #Government #GUJARAT
GAME THEORY
Should bribe-givers be let off?
Researchers conduct experiments to study Kaushik Basu's idea that only bribe-takers should be punished, and get insight that may help anti-corruption efforts. Tarun Jain reports.
#Public Funds #Government
RETAIL SECTOR
FDI: Just the facts, please
RETAIL SECTOR : FDI: Just the facts, please
Whether foreign direct invesmtent in retail in India is good or bad should be judged by a reasoned debate based on facts, not hyperbole and exaggeration. Jacob John reports.
#Trade #Economy
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
Patients' rights on the rise
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE : Patients' rights on the rise
Amidst a rising tide of reports of medical negligence in the media, the courts have stepped in to interpret laws in favour of patients, and to award large punitive damages. Shoma Chatterji reports.
#Health
HEALTH DRINK/CONSUMERS
From snow ball to coconut lassi
HEALTH DRINK/CONSUMERS : From snow ball to coconut lassi
This Kochi's couple's one-year-old enterprise is perhaps the only serious attempt to market snow ball tender coconut so far. And in their response to irregularity of supply, they introduced the coconut lassi. Shree Padre has more.
#Livelihoods #Economy #KERALA
ECONOMY/CONSUMERS
Tender coconut juice, instantly chilled
Moments after a customer approaches this cart, the vendor pours tender coconut juice into a funnel-like part. Chilled juice comes out of a stainless steel tap below, filling a 250 ml glass, for Rs.10. Shree Padre reports about Fruit Hut Beverages, a Hyderabad-based firm that has launched the Coco Fresco brand.
#Economy #ANDHRA PRADESH
KARNATAKA : ELECTRICITY REGULATION
Citizens input on power tariffs
KARNATAKA : ELECTRICITY REGULATION : Citizens input on power tariffs
In a few weeks, Karnataka will once again seek public input in setting electricity tariffs. While the era of state electricity boards has ended, public participation is important to counter pressures from the government, utility companies, and the commercial private sector on regulators, write Lina Krishnan, Gautam Menon and M V Ramana.
#Energy #Economy #KARNATAKA
MEASURING WATER SUPPLY
Water meters help consumers, suppliers
MEASURING WATER SUPPLY : Water meters help consumers, suppliers
With a properly metered water bill, consumers have a much better chance of being heard than otherwise. Yes, there are justified concerns about rights and equity when we talk of water, but metering is not anti-poor. In fact, used well, it can address their demands powerfully, says S Vishwanath.
#Water #Environment #KARNATAKA