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 …
Relief may be in sight for Nepal's landless people, as the government gets ready to launch its new land reform programme. Under this, the government will purchase tracts and resell them to landless people on an instalment basis. Buyers will be given 15 years to repay the amount at low …
gujarat is witnessing a trend that instantiates how socio-economic movements often don't reach their logical conclusions. Tracts earmarked for landless farmers under the bhoodan programme are being used to construct residential and commercial complexes in the state. The state government has initiated action against private builders for such misuse of …
The gains made by Kerala through the land reform measures of the 1950s may be undone if the attempts at changing the limit on landholding and introducing contract farming by multinational companies are allowed to succeed. Kerala often boasts of the most radical land reforms law in the country. The …
Winning vote banks through land redistribution is South African President Thabo Mbeki's new election strategy. Similar to Robert Mugabe's land acquisition drive in Zimbabwe, Mbeki is winding his victory path around the lands of white farmers. The changes to Mbeki's land restitution law will be implemented in February. The amendments …
Back in the 20th century, when India had villages, there were several popular films that showed villages in a contemporary light. Well, somewhat. While Indian cinema was urban from its very beginning, there were several films of immense popularity that were, in many ways, a statement of the presence of …
with Bihar's revenue minister Ramai Ram informing the legislative assembly on July 7 that the state government was actively considering an amendment to the Bhoodan Act, the battle for control of such tracts has intensified in Patna. At stake is more than 160,660 hectares (ha) of land, which is still …
smokescreen: Two persons were charred to death and 25 injured in a major fire at pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy's factory in Mohali, Punjab, on June 11. The blaze was preceded by blasts at the production centre. Though the plant uses highly inflammable chemicals, Punjab chief minister (CM) Amarinder Singh curiously exonerated …
Debate on the right rehabilitation policy for those displaced by dams has been on for years. Folklore has it that the only fair and proper compensation lies in rehabilitation on the land. How did this theory develop? Multipurpose river valley projects, like Bhakra, Hirakud and the Damodar Valley Corporation were …
In a significant decision, the Orissa High Court has banned all construction activity within a one-kilometre radius of Nandankanan, the wildlife sanctuary-turned zoo. The high court gave the judgement while responding to a public interest litigation which alleged that builders were not only offering plots around the park but had …
in a district where not toting a double-barrelled gun or revolver is considered a violation of the dress code, the word ‘fraud’ was redefined with astounding audacity. Without firing a single shot (quite uncommon in this trigger-happy territory), three junior officials of Bijnor defrauded the government of Rs 100 crore …
madhya Pradesh (mp) government has proposed an amendment in land distribution laws, which will override the authority of gram sabha over common property land. This decision comes at a time, when panchayat institutions are clamouring for more power from the Union government. The amendment calls for the redistribution of nistar …
JHARKHAND. FOR most, the word conjures up the happy image of a fledgling state finding its feet. But for the indigenous people of Saranda it has come to signify an unending struggle to save their way of life and habitat. Worse still, the authorities solely blame the tribal communities for …
With an aim to root out corruption, Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi has banned allocation of public land to individuals. Environmental groups have welcomed the ban but expressed scepticism about its effective implementation as that would affect a key channel of cash ahead of the forthcoming general elections. Earlier, in …
The festivities of January 1, 2002, signified the sealing of a pact between the Kerala government and the Adivasi Dalit Samara Samithi (agitation council) on October 16, 2001. The agreement guarantees allotment of one to five acres (around .5-2 hectares) of land to all landless tribal families in the state …
the Kerala High Court (hc) has directed the collector of Wayanad district to prevent extraction of timber from plantations in the region. The official has been told to ensure that various state departments do not abet the cutting and removal of trees from both forests and patta (title deed) land …
The uk recently launched a polemic attack against Zimbabwe over its plans to seize all "white' farms, saying that London had fulfilled its obligations as a former colonial power and was "dismayed' that previous aid for land reforms had not been used productively. Tony Lloyd, minister of state at the …
A new land reform law in the country aims to strike a balance between conservation and community development. The reforms seek to restore property taken from some 3.5 million South Africans during the apartheid era. Large areas of national park; as well as some farms and primate game reserves, will …
HARDLY have the Brazilian Indians absorbed the shock brought about by the change to the Decree 22/19, they are confronted by another decree which yet again threatens their ownership of land. Decree 1775 which regulates the demarcation of indigenous lands in Brazil, has found disfavour with the Council for the …
IT IS obvious that for the Brazilian government, people's rights do not matter. Why else would they - in spite of vociferous local protests and campaigns by several agencies in favour of the indigenous Indians - go ahead and bring about the change to the controversial Decree 22/91, which could …
THE Karastaka government has been Facing pressure from the industry since Long to open up land ceiling limits for agricultural lands. Principal add the deal are Sterling Tree Magnum(STM) and Anubhav Plantation in raising commercial timber like teak wood plantations. These concerns have been buying all over India but in …
