Union budget 2022-23: Big cut in fertilisers subsidy to worry farmers

Urea subsidy cut 17%; allocation for NPK subsidy reduced 35% 

Budget 2021-22: How sustainable is push for nylon?

The Union government’s push to bring nylon production on a par with that of polyester may not have a good bearing on the environment and …

Union Budget 2020-21: Duty on solar panel, EV imports; relief to green energy cos

Tax benefits aimed at incentivising domestic manufacturing   

Union Budget 2019-20: Focus shifts to SBM phase 2, women’s role in it

The mission will now aim to turn waste into energy and better solid waste management in rural areas

Economic Survey 2018-19: Increasing access to charging points key to boost electric vehicle sales

Only 0.06 per cent of the total cars in India are electric, while China has two per cent and Norway has 39 per cent

Union Budget 2023: Foundation for sustainable farming is missing in India

Ambitious initiatives for farmers are promising but transition to sustainable agriculture requires healthy soil and inputs

Union Budget 2022-23: More funds for children‘s education but what is the priority?

Education budget for children seems to have missed an opportunity to reverse the negative impact of pandemic on children

Union Budget 2022-23 key pointers: One window green clearances

The SEZ Act will be replaced with a new one and with more state participation. 

PM-KISAN: Agriculture ministry tells Parliament Rs 23,727 crore yet to be used

 Rs 2,326.88 crore of Rs 139,370.15 crore was disbursed to those ineligible for the scheme; Rs 231.76 crore has been recovered

Budget 2020-21: Climate Change must be mainstreamed

But there is much potential for big-ticket schemes focusing on low-tech solutions suited to India

Budget 2023-24: Here are the budgetary allocation trends for key ministries

Budgetary allocation was curtailed or reported marginal increase across key ministries and social schemes  

Economic Survey 2022-23: Special mention of women Self-Help Groups; will it translate to largesse

While commercial banks waive off loans to stay healthy, the women-led world’s largest microfinance operation thrives on near 100% repayment,…

Union Budget 2022-23: Allocation for agricultural education and research reduced

Expenditure on agricultural education, animal science, crop science and management of natural resources reduced in the budget

Union Budget 2020-21 spares little for climate mitigation

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterates old announcements, cuts budget for National Adaptation Fund  

Ahead of Budget, activists demand allocation of Rs 2.72 lakh crore for MGNREGS in 2023-24

Considered inflation, pending worker wages and high demand, say NREGA Sangharsh Mocha and People’s Action for Employment Guarantee

Budget 2023-24: Marks of a circular economy

Budget 2023-24 provides clear shifts in programme direction that need to be applauded. The real test will be our ability to operationalise those …

Union Budget 2022-23: Just 70 weeks left for India@75 targets, will Modi deliver the ‘New India’

From the promised $4 trillion economy to employment for women to doubling of farmers’ income to poverty eradication this year, most of the …

Fifteenth Finance Commission: Over Rs. 4.36 lakh crore for local governments

Local governments will get special health grants  

Union Budget 2021-22 earmarks Rs 3 lakh crore to power sector recovery

Fund to be released based on financial performance, viability demonstration by distribution companies

Why Union Budget 2022-23 is not good in environmental terms

By slashing allocation for environmental organisations, regulatory boards and introducing infrastructure development schemes, the Centre has sent …

No elixir for rural India: Union Budget 2023-24 has very little to offer the rural population; here’s why

The last full budget before the incumbent party seeks re-election in May 2024 should have targeted India’s suffering rural folk to enable …

Union Budget 2021-22: Do states have much to cheer for?

The recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission are unlikely to make much of a difference to cash-strapped states 

Union Budget 2020-21 promises Rs 4,400 cr for clean air; how, where and how soon?

Fiscal promise for clean air action without a blueprint for spending; even after a year of NCAP, output & outcome indicators not available in …

Drying up of MGNREGA allocation will shrink the rural economy further

The focus of MGNREGA has, over time, shifted from employment creation to asset creation 

Clean energy, renewables, stubble burning: What the Union Budget 2021-22 missed

The budget lost the opportunity to address rural sector, where the Ujjwala Scheme will be extended to only one crore additional beneficiaries