How historical methods helped landless farmers earn a living

Farmers revive traditional retention ponds that drain water during floods and retain moisture in droughts

Water-stressed in India: Curious case of 2 neighbouring Telangana districts

The contrast in the districts’ JSA rankings was due to proper implementation of schemes

Irrigation sector gets boost in Union Budget

Apart from generous budgetary allocation, the government will utilise MGNREGS to increase the water harvesting potential of drought-affected …

Political economy of welfare

The BJP-led government's change of heart for big-ticket rural programmes says a lot about its dwindling political fortune

Rivulet resurrected in 45 days

Thousands of people working under NREGS bring a 38 km stream back from the dead in Uttar Pradesh

Protocol to protect RTI activists in the works

If a single panchayat-level activist can expose corruption worth Rs 25 lakh, then each needs protection for effective implementation of …

A million opportunities lost

The ruling alliance’s flagship rural employment programme took unprecedented strides in creating water conservation structures across the …

Big hikes in rural spending

Funds for MGNREGA maintained at Rs.33,000 crore, same as in 2012-13

Mr Prime Minister good news

The finance minister has said that the government is committed to double farmers' income in five years. Here are a few villages across the …

How tribal leadership in Chhattisgarh is helping people access rights

The civil society’s intervention in the tribal regions began in early 1980s on two issues-sustainable livelihood, particularly in forest …

No toilet at home? Can’t contest local body polls in Bihar, says Nitish

State government to make amendments to the existing Bihar Panchayati Raj Act

Foodgrains risk rot

No place to store seven million tonnes of procured foodgrains

Sure cure: how to tackle India's undernutrition crisis in 10 steps

The finance ministry and the planning department can play an overarching role by ensuring health programmes get sufficient resources

After a week in office, Modi government sets its agenda

The new government faces its first parliamentary session. Down To Earth puts together the agenda of the government in key sectors

‘My mentor Laurie Baker’

BENNY KURIAKOSE began his architecture career in 1984. He was one of the privileged few who worked under the tutelage of Laurie Baker which …

Union Budget 2021-22: Time to step up public investment in nutrition

Nutrition interventions, with an already faltering coverage, hit a blockade due to COVID-19 disruptions; the Union Budget is a critical …

COVID-19: Even skilled workers line up for MGNREGA in Kurukshetra

With economic recovery uncertain, those who would earlier avoid central job schemes are now ready to take up work

Usage of toilets in India is over 95 per cent, reveals new NSSO survey

This finding is, however, from a two-month rapid survey, considered too short by experts

Sunita's Bytes on Budget

Committee recommends restarting clinical trials in Madhya Pradesh

Says is in interest of people

COVID-19 second wave: Rural demand may be hit despite normal monsoon

Out-of-pocket expenses on health in rural areas may push millions into poverty, warn experts

NDA introduces changes in MGNREGA

Rural development ministry to make social audit compulsory; create more durable assets in blocks and districts, instead of villages

Will rural flagship schemes change under Modi?

Officials admit that MGNREGS and rural road development programmes suffered shortcomings in UPA regime

Labour exit

Labour shortage in agriculture forces Indian farmers to innovate to stay afloat

Uttar Pradesh to revive dry rivulets under MGNREGS

Revival of small river in Fatehpur district shows the way