CONTENTS

The Economy: Premature Claims-Assam. Hatty Deal-Budget: Defining the Deficit- Federal Transfers: Less for the States- Politics Obscurantist Wave-Industry: Caving In?Securities Scam: Diversionary TacticsHuman Rights: Pleasing Aid-Givers 420 Statistics 424 In the Capital Market 425 Companies 426 Calcutta Diary -AM 429 Commentary Rupee-Rouble Agreement: Was It a Sell-Out? -Sunil Kanwar 431 Consumer Protection Act and Medical Profession -Arun Bal 432 Maharashtra: Universities Sill-A Backward Step -J V Deshpande 436 Hindutva's Hidden Agenda: Why Women Fear Religious Fundamentalism -Veena Poonacha 438 Thailand: Free Markets, Aids and Child Prostitution