Corporate Business and the Financing of Political Parties: An Umbilical Chord
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Corporate Business and the Financing of Political Parties: An Umbilical Chord

Corporate business financing of politics in India goes back decades. The court ruling on the electoral bonds scheme is not going to end this business-politics nexus. We can only hope that the nexus can be nudged in the direction of greater transparency so that voters can make more informed choices.

Interim Budget 2024: Continuing Modi’s Apathy Towards the Vulnerable
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Interim Budget 2024: Continuing Modi’s Apathy Towards the Vulnerable

The Union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, introduces us to four pillars for whom the 2024–25 interim budget is designed: the poor, women, youth and farmers. However, the budgetary allocations do not reflect this commitment. Comments on the Interim Budget by several authors.

An Open Letter to the President of India
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An Open Letter to the President of India

“In February 2023, the government granted a lease to Vedanta to carry out bauxite mining in our hills, without taking our opinion or consent. We hope that you will take measures to put an end to this mindless process of mining and deforestation”, write the people of these villages of Odisha.

The Carnival Games are Back!
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The Carnival Games are Back!

Carnival games are rigged in favour of their owners. It seems ostensibly easy to win. But it isn’t. So was the Hindenburg expose on Adani. The evidence they poured out, and the zeal with which the Supreme Court took it up, convinced all that Adani’s dream run was over. But on its first anniversary, he is almost back on the top.

The Reality of India’s GDP, Incomes, Consumption, Private Investment – 2 Articles
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The Reality of India’s GDP, Incomes, Consumption, Private Investment – 2 Articles

‘Ignore the Spin, Incomes, Consumption and Private Investment Have Stagnated’: The FM’s budget speech reiterated Modi govt’s achievements over the past decade; facts have never come in the way of Modi’s penchant for weaving self-congratulatory narratives. Also: ‘The K is Indian GDP’s Reality: Why Deny?’

How the Union Govt Is Slowly but Surely Blurring India’s Federal Structure
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How the Union Govt Is Slowly but Surely Blurring India’s Federal Structure

Responsibilities of the state governments are being slowly overtaken by the Centre, keen as it is to take credit for all welfare programmes. Meanwhile, state coffers are not getting the assistance they need from the Union government.

In the Name of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Looting the Poor, Benefiting the Rich – 5 Articles
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In the Name of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Looting the Poor, Benefiting the Rich – 5 Articles

‘Dharmic SEZ and “Hindu Renaissance”: Ram Rajya for the Rich’; ‘Temple Construction Meant Small Business Owners in Ayodhya Lost Money – and Hope’; ‘Survival at Stake: Meat, Liquor Ban Hits Livelihoods of Thousands in Ayodhya’; ‘Ayodhya: All Eyes Skyward at Grand Temple; Shopkeepers Left With Rubble Below’; ‘When Death Came Knocking on a Family in Ayodhya’.

Tamil Nadu and Kerala Villagers Take On Adani Ports – 2 Articles
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Tamil Nadu and Kerala Villagers Take On Adani Ports – 2 Articles

‘Adani Ports: The Tamil Nadu Villagers Taking on a Billionaire’s Port Plan’: Thousands of villagers in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu are fighting a proposal to expand a port owned by billionaire Gautam Adani. Also: ‘From a Kerala Port, a Citizens’ Report Provides Proof of “Destructive Development”’.