India
The Hindu’s editorial advocates ‘Free medicines as a mission’
This editorial in The Hindu, following up earlier ones on Universal Health Coverage through a tax-funded system, appeared in print and online editions today. The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Free medicines as a mission. Participate in the discussion on the article page with your own comments.
Spending for a healthy India – Tamil podcast on higher GDP expenditure for universal healthcare
The Hindu published an editorial titled Spending for a healthy India on March 9, 2012 highlighting the importance of tax-based universal healthcare by 2017. That should be the goal of the Twelfth Plan. The aim is to reduce out-of-pocket spending on healthcare that is pushing many Indians into poverty – simply because a massive health [...]
EXCLUSIVE : Ramky Enviro must set up toll-free garbage complaints line in Chennai
Setting up a grievance redressal-cum-monitoring cell to receive complaints relating to garbage is among the conditions in the legal agreement signed by the Corporation of Chennai and Ramky Enviro Engineers for collection, segregation, transportation and disposal of municipal waste in new zones IX, X and XIII. Although such a condition was included in the agreement [...]
The Grievances Redressal Bill, 2011 – India’s Parliament seeks suggestions, views from public
The Right of Citizens for Time-Bound Delivery of Good and Services and Redressal of Their Grievances Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 20, 2011, and referred to the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice by Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Member, Rajya Sabha for examination and [...]
Universal Health Coverage for India – Insurance, Medicines and human resources
The report of the High Level Experts Group (HLEG) instituted by the Planning Commission to provide Universal Health Coverage for India has many key features that need extensive debate. Disappointingly, such discussions are not taking place, at the level of political parties, Trade Unions, Civil Society organisations and even the media. The Hindu has been [...]
Life in the Himalaya, and how to save it
Book Review : Protection of Himalayan Biodiversity – International Environmental Law and a Regional Legal Framework. By Ananda Mohan Bhattarai, Sage Publications, B1/I-1, Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 044, India, 382 pp, Price not stated All geographical regions of the world have a role to play in the sustenance of humanity, but [...]
A decisive turn for India at Durban Climate Conference
A notable positive outcome of the Durban Climate Change Conference is the fixing of a second commitment period for rich countries to cut carbon emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, beyond the first that expires next year. The emerging economies led by India and China fought commendably to press the equity principle that underpins burden sharing [...]
At Chennai RTO West, learn about bottlenecking
I did not really find it difficult. I am a member of the Automobile Association of Southern India, which has a government-approved system of getting your RTO services done without having to seek out brokers and touts. Today, I spent some time at the Chennai RTO (West) serving large localities in the South West of [...]
State of Chennai food safety
This scene at the junction of Kodambakkam High Road and Jagannathan Road shows the concern of the Tamil Nadu Government towards public health, and even common sense. A row of footpath vendors serve lower cost meals to patrons from what are commonly known as ‘kaiyendhi bhavans’ – cart stalls that are stand-and-eat joints. The less [...]
Airtel shoots to the top with the worst complaints score
Today’s business press is full of stories on Bharti Airtel topping the charts on subscriber complaints. Apparently the maximum number of complaints on billing and tariff related issues pertain to Airtel. The story is there in the Business Standard online and in print. The story is there in the Economic Times here. Meanwhile, BusinessLine has a [...]
