The variations in COVID-19 infections and deaths reported in Indian states as of 31 March 2021 have been analysed. While the proportion of people living in densely populated areas, per capita net state domestic product, and proportion of aged people explained the variations in COVID-19 infections, in the case of deaths, an additional contributing factor was identified in per capita public health infrastructure. The curious situation of income increasing COVID-19 transmissions and deaths could probably be explained by the considerable proportion of people in some high-income states living in congested slums under extreme poverty with poor access to basic infrastructure, and the high mobility and exposure of some of these states to domestic and international travel footprint, and large migrant population, all resulting in increased risks.
The variations in COVID-19 infections and deaths reported in Indian states as of 31 March 2021 have been analysed. While the proportion of people living in densely populated areas, per capita net state domestic product, and proportion of aged people explained the variations in COVID-19 infections, in the case of deaths, an additional contributing factor was identified in per capita public health infrastructure. The curious situation of income increasing COVID-19 transmissions and deaths could probably be explained by the considerable proportion of people in some high-income states living in congested slums under extreme poverty with poor access to basic infrastructure, and the high mobility and exposure of some of these states to domestic and international travel footprint, and large migrant population, all resulting in increased risks.
The experiences and challenges in health service delivery, faced by the newly created cadre known as mid-level healthcare providers or community health officers, are explored through an empirical study conducted in selected health and wellness centres of West Jaintia Hills district. Findings show that while the CHOs are motivated to work given the opportunity available in the public health system, they also encounter many challenges in terms of increased work burden, poor training, and other systemic problems confronting the public health systems in Meghalaya.
The experiences and challenges in health service delivery, faced by the newly created cadre known as mid-level healthcare providers or community health officers, are explored through an empirical study conducted in selected health and wellness centres of West Jaintia Hills district. Findings show that while the CHOs are motivated to work given the opportunity available in the public health system, they also encounter many challenges in terms of increased work burden, poor training, and other systemic problems confronting the public health systems in Meghalaya.
The delimitation exercise in Assam has not only redrawn the boundaries of the constituencies but also political fault lines of the state. Hailed by a section as a step to safeguard the rights of indigenous communities and critiqued by another for ensuring skewed representation, the act may have multipronged impact on the state politics ahead of elections.
In financial year 2022–23, more than 5 crore workers were deleted from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act database—a 247% increase compared to the previous FY. Using a worker-centric framework, this rise is investigated in context of the complexity of recent Aadhaar-based interventions and the manner of their rollout. Worker deletion and resolution practices on the ground are also analysed. These techno-solutionist policies are not consistent with democratic norms and increase workers’ distress.
In financial year 2022–23, more than 5 crore workers were deleted from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act database—a 247% increase compared to the previous FY. Using a worker-centric framework, this rise is investigated in context of the complexity of recent Aadhaar-based interventions and the manner of their rollout. Worker deletion and resolution practices on the ground are also analysed. These techno-solutionist policies are not consistent with democratic norms and increase workers’ distress.
Ostensibly to decolonise and modernise India’s criminal justice system, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (which attempts to replace the Indian Penal Code) has been criticised for retaining much of the colonial language and approach that the IPC did. One of those areas is in relation to the law governing abortions in India, but the bill still presents an opportunity to modernise it.
There has been a public debate on the quality of offi cial statistics being produced by the Indian statistical system. The debate was initiated by persons holding high positions in the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and claimed that the existing survey mechanisms were archaic and not adapted for rapid changes, and thus grossly underestimated India’s progress. It also made an assessment that India’s offi cial statistics are excellent on the administrative side and mediocre on censuses and surveys. This article examines the basis on which the above statements were made and proves its fallacy.
Foreign direct investments tend to gravitate to nations with good governance. The quality of governance is largely affected by institutional factors such as control of corruption, government effectiveness, political stability, regulatory quality, rule of law, voice and accountability. This study contributes to the existing literature on foreign direct investments by testing the impact of six parameters of institutional quality on investment inflows into India.
Foreign direct investments tend to gravitate to nations with good governance. The quality of governance is largely affected by institutional factors such as control of corruption, government effectiveness, political stability, regulatory quality, rule of law, voice and accountability. This study contributes to the existing literature on foreign direct investments by testing the impact of six parameters of institutional quality on investment inflows into India.
Foreign direct investments tend to gravitate to nations with good governance. The quality of governance is largely affected by institutional factors such as control of corruption, government effectiveness, political stability, regulatory quality, rule of law, voice and accountability. This study contributes to the existing literature on foreign direct investments by testing the impact of six parameters of institutional quality on investment inflows into India.
