This report summarizes the findings of a review aimed at understanding emerging approaches to energy subsidy reform, discerning trends, and identifying major strands of thinking and research in the field, as reflected in major policy and academic journals relevant to the subject. The review was initiated in early 2020 as …
THIS could be the first major disinvestment the government may undertake after winning the trust vote. According to government sources, it plans to dilute its stake in the two public sector fertiliser companies: Hindustan Fertiliser Corp (HFC) and Fertiliser Corporation of India (FCIL). The companies have been sick for a …
In Malawi, the fifth poorest country in the world, the government introduced a voucher programme for small scale farmers, providing them access to subsidised fertilizer and seed. The country suddenly saw bumper harvests in both 2006 and 2007. Are fertilizer subsidies the way out of poverty for small scale farmers …
Since the Bengal Famine of 1943, the nation has been clamouring for self-sufficiency in foodgrain production. The Swaraj Government has been promising to achieve this goal but has failed so far. In fact it has been pursuing policies which militate against this objective, such as the policy of
Wind energy continues to be the dominant source of renewable power in India. About 8000 MW of wind power capacity has been installed in the country so far. As against this, the share of solar power is abysmally low mainly due to its high initial capital cost and thus, a …
Many nations have proposed targets for renewable energy production that can only be described as ambitious, given the current levels and the short time frames involved. Proposals in the United States aim to increase renewable electricity production to 15 percent by 2020, a significant amount, given that hydropower capacity is …
Cotton, textiles, and apparel are critical agricultural and industrial sectors in India. This study provides descriptions of these sectors and examines the key developments emerging domestically and internationally that affect the challenges and opportunities the sectors face. More than four million farm households produce cotton in India, and about one-quarter …
One shortage in the solar-panel business gives way to another FOR 40 years or so, the price of solar panels fell steadily as volumes grew and technology improved. But in 2004 Germany enormously increased subsidies for solar power, prompting a surge in demand. The supply of pure silicon, the main …
The Chaturvedi Committee recommendations on how to reform various aspects of the petroleum sector has turned out to be extremely divisive. Three experts debate the coherence and effectiveness of the entire report. I S S U E S Is the proposed special oil tax on domestic producers justified? Should petroleum …
REDUCING THE SUBSIDY BURDEN Sudheer Pal Singh / New Delhi August 26, 2008, 0:52 IST Companies which use diesel to run their backup generators say they would shift to alternative fuels if the government decides to adopt dual pricing, where these firms would be charged higher and retail customers would …
Suggestions Refinery gate price to be fixed on average of global petro product prices Fuel quality to set retail price; transparency on profit/taxes charged Segmentation of diesel according to use Monthly hike in petrol, diesel and LPG prices; retain targeted subsidies Windfall tax on over $75 pb of oil from …
Prashant K Sahu / New Delhi August 22, 2008, 4:36 IST Decision on additional Rs 2 lakh debt at 7% rate shortly. After the Rs 66,600-crore farm debt waiver and relief scheme, more relief is on the way to farmers hit by rising prices of fertilisers and other inputs. The …
The government has decided to release Rs 22,000-crore subsidy in cash to the fertiliser industry this fiscal, apart from the budgetary allocation of Rs 32,000 crore, chemicals and fertiliser minister Ram Vilas Paswan said here today. "Total fertiliser subsidy is estimated to be Rs 1.19 lakh crore in 2008-09 while …
A gross imbalance in the World Trade Organisation proposals in agriculture and industry explains why the latest attempt in July to achieve a breakthrough in the Doha round collapsed. The US demand that developing countries institute a stringent special safeguard mechanism in agriculture that would make it different for developing …
Progressive Maharashtra has rushed to install wind energy plants. But, ask nidhi jamwal and shikha lakhanpal, reporting from Mumbai and Dhule, why so little electricity is actually generated? Is there an other purpose to private interest in wind? Of greater note
The 11th plan has set what industry considers a modest target of 10,000 mw capacity addition in five years. Everyone agrees that much more is possible. But for this to happen, big time, the business of wind must be into energy generation and not just encashing credits because of investment …