Public Policy – Page 3 – NICKELED AND DIMED

Columbia on Legalisation of Cocaine

This article aims at describing the proposed Colombian bill on legalisation of the infamous cocaine industry. It traces the history of drug trafficking and the effects of the proposed bill to the same.
Read more: Columbia on Legalisation of Cocaine
NOBEL PRIZE 2020 – BEYOND THE CRITICISMS

In this article, Siddharth G addresses the criticism of the Nobel Prize awarded this year to Dr Paul Milgrom and Dr. Robert Wilson for their work in auction theory. He also looks into how this microeconomic concept is used in macroeconomics and how auctions benefit the government.
Read more: NOBEL PRIZE 2020 – BEYOND THE CRITICISMS
River Interlinking: A Confluence of Ignorance, Ideological Misconception, and Irreparable Environmental Damage

River linking is based on the basic principle that surplus water in one basin can be diverted to water deficient drainage basins. While this may seem logically sound, this makes for bad science. Since the very inception of this project, several aspects of geology, hydrology, and ecology have not been taken seriously in either government…
Read more: River Interlinking: A Confluence of Ignorance, Ideological Misconception, and Irreparable Environmental Damage
The New Education Policy – Opportunities and Caveats

This article evaluates the recently announced education policy — the NEP. It discusses the necessity that drove the government into formulating such a document, the possibilities that entail upon its implementation, and the talk around its effectiveness in truly achieving what most of us have regarded with deep skepticism — better utilization of our people,…
Read more: The New Education Policy – Opportunities and Caveats
India’s National River Interlinking Projects – An Introduction (Part I)

This article is an introduction to the three part series focusing on India’s National River Linking Project. Vanshika Mittal traces the background and plan proposed by the government for this project.
Read more: India’s National River Interlinking Projects – An Introduction (Part I)
Broken Markets – Reflection from the labour landscape (Part II)

In this article, the author discusses the trend in budgetary allocations to schemes such as MNREGA to bring out the stark reality through the data analyzed in the July Issue of Infosphere.
Read more: Broken Markets – Reflection from the labour landscape (Part II)
Pandemic and slumped oil prices: context and impact on migrant workers

This article discusses how migrant workers in petrostates are impacted by fiscal policies in the light of pandemic and low oil prices.
Read more: Pandemic and slumped oil prices: context and impact on migrant workers
All Religions Are Equal, But Some are More Equal Than the Others.

The rise in religious ultra-nationalistic pretense democracies has kick-started a global trend. This article explores Erdogan’s decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a mosque from the larger lens of religious revivalism sweeping across populist ‘Pretense Democracies.’
Read more: All Religions Are Equal, But Some are More Equal Than the Others.
Immigration Politics: Consequences of policy changes on India’s outmigration to the US

Internal politics of America has been the driver of the Immigration Policy since the 1800s. Amisha Singh looks at the history of American Immigration Politics in light of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The article provides an overview of the impact of the changing policies on Indian Immigrants, who constitute up to 75%…
Read more: Immigration Politics: Consequences of policy changes on India’s outmigration to the US
Marching towards another crisis—Malnutrition

The MDM scheme was a relief to many children and was contributing positively to fight malnutrition; however, the pandemic has interrupted its functioning.The following article will discuss the state of the MDM scheme during the pandemic to understand the nutritional insecurity that is threatening the vulnerable children.
Read more: Marching towards another crisis—Malnutrition
Apathy, Strikes, and Gender Norms- A Look at the ASHA Program

Through this article, Adit Shankar, provides an overview of the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, focussing specifically on their remuneration structure and the gender dynamics surrounding their work, ending with a look at policy solutions. What emerges is a picture of utter neglect for arguably the most crucial grassroot-level…
Read more: Apathy, Strikes, and Gender Norms- A Look at the ASHA Program
Victims of Industrial Accidents: The Poor State of Relief Safeguards for Them

Our continuous reliance on civil society’s pressure in seeking justice exposes the systemic failure of the state in ensuring the protection of our blue-collared workers. Rishita Sankrit writes about the victims of industrial accidents and how monetary compensations are not enough.
Read more: Victims of Industrial Accidents: The Poor State of Relief Safeguards for Them