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 …
Urban India produces 120,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste each day. Businesses want to burn this garbage to produce electricity, using government subsidies. Environmentalists say this is not viable, given Indian conditions—they also fear toxic emissions from incineration. KUSHAL PAL SINGH YADAV analyses the costs and benefits of India’s waste …
A few years ago, Shaktipada Jena, a small farmer could dream of buying a home solar power system. He'd have to stretch his means to save between Rs 3,100 and Rs 4,800, the going rate. But now prices have gone through the roof and a solar unit is out of …
Praveen Bhargav The Western Ghats is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot. In the past, many large development projects including highways, railway lines, mega dams, nuclear plants and mines have intruded into this biodiversity treasure trove. Lack of knowledge and absence of effective watchdogs contributed to the ad-hoc manner in …
the Union department of information and technology (doit) recently proposed to provide up to 50 per cent subsidy to e-waste recycling units. But only units registered with the Union ministry of environment and forests (moef) will be eligible for the subsidy, said doit. Environmentalists are dismayed at the move. "Recycling …
This paper is based on a review of the effectiveness of solar home systems (SHS) in Africa in meeting users expectations on a service based analytical approach. Various projects have deployed SHS on the promise that they are cost-effective, can meet end-user demands, have ability to alleviate poverty, can save …
This report considers the implications of the Kyoto Protocol on competitiveness and addresses the WTO-compatibility of measures to offset competitive losses. From the outset the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have had to contend with perceived tension between effective action to slow climate change …
This document contains the Report of the working group on new and renewable energy for XITH five year plan (2007-12) . The 5 Programmes proposed for 11th plan are: (i) Grid-Interactive and Distributed Renewable Power; (ii) Renewable Energy for Rural Applications; (iii) Renewable Energy for Urban, Industrial & Commercial Applications; …
It's not routine for organic to get a bad press. But when quixotic officials turn it into an article of faith without doing the homework, the repercussions can be seriously debilitating. Take the case of the hill village of Papnaikothar in Ranikhet district. It was well known for the excellence …
The World Trade Organization (wto) was supposed to be the driver of free trade in a globalised economy. But this does not seem to be the case. Regional trade agreements (rtas) seem to be ruling the roost. Two hundred ninety rta s are now in force. rtas are popular among …
South Asia, home to a quarter of the world's population, is a major energy consumer. According to the us Energy Information Administration, the region's primary energy consumption increased by 58 per between 1991 and 2000, and is expected to increase by another 40 per cent in the next three decades. …
At a media-studded book release function, a leading editor was recounting a recent incident. He was travelling with a top Uttar Pradesh politician (who we will not name but call Mr A) in his brand new plane. The politician told him that the plane was a gift from a leading …
Twenty one developed countries spent almost US $250 billion on subsidies, while the other 128 countries spent only US $50 billion. The average ratio of subsidies to GDP is lower in developing countries. For a sample of 31 developing countries, the average ratio of subsidies to GDP was 0.6 per …
The first consultation of the National Commission on Farmers was on cotton, where we brought together the farmer and the user. Our aim was that everyone in the cotton sector should prosper. M S SwaminathanChairperson,National Commission on Farmers But today, maximum numbers of farmer suicides are in cotton. On the …
The World Trade Organization's (WTO's) mini-ministerial at Geneva on July 1, 2006, ended in a stalemate, with India pulling out of the trade talks. India's commerce minister Kamal Nath walked out of the meet a day before its scheduled conclusion. The negotiations turned sour when EU and the US asked …
the Indian power sector's high dependence on subsidies from state governments, especially in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Maharashtra, hinders its efficiency, says a recent Union power ministry report. Credit Rating Information Services of India Limited, a policy advisory company and icra Limited, an investment information and credit rating service, jointly …
lankan fuel crisis: Sri Lanka recently reached a settlement with the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation, to resolve a fuel crisis in the country. LIOC was unable to import any fuel from India unless the Lankan government paid at least Rs 1 billion …
In June this year, the government revoked a proposal for giving fertiliser subsidies to farmers instead of giving payouts to fertiliser manufacturers directly, which is the prevailing practice. The department of fertilisers, Union ministry of chemicals and fertilisers (mocf) had constituted a committee in 2000 under the chairmanship of economist …
The agriculture minister told parliament last week that 100,000 farmers had committed suicide from 1998 to 2003, a period for which his government had data. This means 45 farmers killed themselves each day across the country. There is now information that suicides may be on the increase. In the Vidarbha …
