The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
• The embankments of Kamla Balan have been breached on several occasions. In 1963, when the river burst its embankments near Ramghat, it submerged villages such as Kharbar, Gangapur, Gunakarpur and Belhi. In 1964, the left bank on the Lakhnour block was breached near Daiya Kharbari. • In 1965, innumerable …
politicians: A means to generate funds for the party's coffers • Used the concept of shramdan (voluntary labour) to exploit the people • Awarded contracts to their relatives and party workers • Failed to maintain proper accounts contractors: Saw earthwork as an easy way to make a fast buck • …
In 1855, the British government decided to embank the Damodar river in order to prevent flooding. With the construction of watertight embankments on the Damodar, the flood control picture started getting "brighter'. William Willcocks, a British irrigation expert came to India in the 1920s. In a series of lectures, he …
Corruption is not confined to earthworks and flood control measures alone. It is all over and all embracing. Many politicians today face charges of corruption in Bihar. The names of a few are given below. In the wake of CBI investigations into the Rs 950-crore fodder scam, Laloo Prasad Yadav …
The entire state is today held in thrall by criminals and private armies. The river can erode values, not just soil. Corruption in the management of the environment can corrupt society. A case to note is the infamous Bhagalpur "blindings' in Bihar. In the early 1980s, the Bihar police blinded …
Why have flood-control measures failed? You must understand that the water comes from Nepal. We must stop it there. Embankments were constructed as a secondary measure. But the primary aim of the government has been to construct the Barahkshetra dam in Nepal, which will help control the water release. Why …
How and why did the rivers curse Bihar? It all began with a group of young politicians in the 1950s. To them goes the credit for pushing the idea of building embankments. This was done in the name of trying to tame the rivers of the state. In the 200 …
a government move to allow oil and gas exploration activities in the Kirthar National Park has sparked a major controversy in Pakistan. Situated 80 km north of Karachi in the southwest of Sindh province, the park was declared a wildlife sanctuary on October 28, 1972 and was eventually declared a …
development in G ujarat seems to be restricted to the industrial sector only. More than 18,000 villages in the state do not have basic facilities like roads or drinking water. In 1995-96 the Keshubhai Patel government unveiled the Gokul Gram Yojna. The project aimed to transform the face of rural …
the Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party ( bjp) coalition government in Punjab has decided to do away with a number of populist measures, including free water and power provided to farmers. Gifting money to girls belonging to a scheduled caste and or the Christian community at the time of their marriage …
a country's national income is taken as a measure of its level of development. Development planners, economists and politicians frequently use components of national income like the Gross Domestic Product ( gdp ), Gross National Product ( gnp ), Net National Product ( nnp ) and so on for many …
In his address to parliament, president K R Narayanan said that the new government's development strategy will rest on a 'triad': the government will provide a strong policy and regulatory leadership; the private sector will bring dynamism and efficiency to the economy in a competitive environment; and, local democratic institutions …
apart from the signboards directing the way to Son Chirya Sanctuary in Ghategaon, it is quite impossible to tell whether your destination has arrived. A railway line goes past the protected area, situated 60 km from the historic town of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. There is an irrigation dam, too, …
it is a constant battle for fresh air for the residents of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Everyday Nepal Radio airs a bulletin that declares the air quality of the city, which, most of the time, is critical. "After listening to the bulletin, I realised that air pollution is the …
Cheap fertiliser imports are hurting the domestic market in Pakistan. "If the prices stay at the current low levels on the one hand, and if the government continues to increase the price of gas, which is our raw material, then obviously the fertiliser industry will have a very serious problem …
not since 1942 has Orissa witnessed a cyclone of this magnitude. On October 18, a devastating cyclone ripped through one of the state's largest cities, Berhampur in Ganjam district, and adjoining districts leaving a trail of destruction. At the last count around 100 people, including many children, had died and …
"In framing a government to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this; you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself''.
Once again we have a new environment minister, T R Balu of the Dravida Munetra Kazagham ( dmk ). Nobody knows how deep is his understanding of what needs to be done in this field. As past experience has repeatedly shown, unless the politician-at-helm, namely, the minister, provides a vision, …
Foot and mouth disease has broken out in Livingstone and surrounding areas. HumphreyMwalemi, veterinary officer, Kalomo district, said his department has imposed a ban on the movement of livestock, meat and milk from Livingstone, Zimba and Kalomo. But some residents have complained that veterinary officers have teamed up with Zambia …
