🚨Exclusive: Modi govt shut down almost 200 district weather advisory units providing crucial services to farmers after @NITIAayog misrepresented their role & sought privatisation of services. Based on internal finance ministry documents #RTI

I first learnt about 'opportunity cost' in high school economics. Yet to see and learn how it's actually useful in policy given that literally everything is done in place of something else. Seems to work most effectively as last refuge of the last set of critics

Seems some of the critics of MNREGA have moved on from questioning its benefits (what else to do in the face of overwhelming evidence) to asking about opportunity cost. Easier to just admit ideological position against MNREGA, no?

If the economy is doing so great, why was there a need to cap MNREGA budgetary allocations and make it supply driven rather than demand driven? The reality is that there were far more people demanding MNREGA work (courtesy "great Indian economy") than budget allowed

What an awesome article. Some excerpts below: “Nagaland’s development trajectory is increasingly guided by centrally sponsored schemes (CSS). These schemes bring funds, but they also bring templates. Over time, it creates a subtle dependency: the state begins shaping its vision

Bangladesh should have learned from the examples of its neighbours about the risks of religious bigotry and majoritarian violence where people belonging to religious minorities can be lynched on flimsy allegations of violating majoritarian religious sensibilities.

@vinaysreeni @acorn @roadscholarz There are numerous ways to respond to @acorn on this. For starters, see

If employment of "tech" is the marker of productivity, useless startups in Bangalore that raise millions of dollars and burn through them just as easily without contributing anything of value to society are the most productive. What a sad definition of productivity

Also, before dismissing MNREGA work as "low-tech" and therefore low productivity, please define productivity and explain how exactly tech can help & not entail adverse impacts & not be high cost in areas like agroforestry or management of floodwaters or rainwater harvesting

Union govt has not engaged in debate on MNREGA appropriateness & it is not undertaking agricultural reforms. Also who exactly is saying it is the best thing & not questioning it? Strawman that also misses larger context. In West Bengal, MNREGA cuts have led to distress migration

Statement of the Interim Government DHAKA, December 19: The government urges all citizens of Bangladesh to resist all forms of mob violence committed by a few fringe elements. We strongly and unequivocally condemn all acts of violence, intimidation, arson, and destruction of

Karnataka has passed a historic law against social Boycott. Great initiative by the ruling party. For once the BJP also extended full support. Shows that social justice is increasingly becoming a bipartisan agenda. (Wondering if this law can be invoked to fight 'cancel culture)

The protest at Jantar Mantar against the repeal of #MGNREGA stands cancelled cause the Police was adamant in not giving permission. 2 days to repeal a historic Act protecting the rights of 26 cr workers. But the Police need 10 days notice to protest! #SaveMGNREGA #SaveDemocracy

https://t.co/5uDImO1kVA

"To dismantle [MNREGA] now would be a historic error. It would abandon a proven instrument for poverty alleviation, social justice, and care for the environment." Was reading list of MNREGA-approved work yesterday. Most meaningful public utility work https://t.co/EP2lHoBkuq

Germany approves $3.1bn Israel arms deal despite Gaza genocide https://t.co/J8Z2YGwCHS

Major economists from across the world support the MNREGA in India and oppose its effective dismantling by the Modi government in the new G-RAM-G Act https://t.co/j6fPhYxkIu

🚨#mgnrega is not a scheme, it is a legal right won through workers’ struggle. Any change to the Act cant be done behind closed doors. We demand transparency, public disclosure & democratic consultations with workers, worker’ organisations trade unions & states #NREGAUnderAttack

As someone who has closely followed a few parliamentary sessions, I can say they are one of the best examples of an undemocratic system. Follow parliament to know how to be undemocratic

No need to explain rationale behind amendments. No need to engage with Qs and protests by opposition members. No need for larger public consultations, much less one within parliamentary standing committee. And this for India's largest employment guarantee programme. 'Democracy'

People world over need to see this in front page headlines tomorrow. How the Modi government - via a partisan speaker of the house - steamrolls amendments to important laws amid strong protest. 'World's largest democracy'. Shameful