India Together : Consumers

CIRCULARITY

Inclusive circularity: Waste-free, and just too

CIRCULARITY : Inclusive circularity: Waste-free, and just too

Encouraging the use of products for as long as possible does more than optimizing the use of natural resources. It can support sustainable innovation and efficiency, and do so without diminishing the profitability of businesses.

#Energy #Waste #Economy

Jan 2023

REGULATORY HEARINGS

Hearing in progress, click to join

REGULATORY HEARINGS : Hearing in progress, click to join

Electricity regulators have been effective in instituting online facilities to conduct hearings remotely. With more steps, virtual processes could improve participation in normal times too.

#Energy #Justice System #Laws

Feb 2021

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS

It ain’t so difficult to green your home!

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS : It ain’t so difficult to green your home!

The environmental benefits accruing from green buildings and living spaces are widely known, but it is often inertia that prevents the adoption of these alternatives. Chandrashekar Hariharan discusses a few easy steps that could foster greener urban infrastructure.

#Energy #Urban Environment #Environment

Sep 2014

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT

When companies flout norms and regulators look away

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT : When companies flout norms and regulators look away

A recent report from environmental research group Toxics Link exposes how multinationals are flagrantly violating the MoEF-notified rules on e-waste, even as the authorities empowered to enforce implementation remain passive. Richa Malhotra details the key findings.

#Environmental Regulation #Waste #Environment

Jul 2014

INFLATION

Why your bag of vegetables costs more every week!

INFLATION : Why your bag of vegetables costs more every week!

It is certainly not because of mere demand-supply mismatch. Kannan Kasturi deconstructs the supply chain dynamics and credit linkages in the vegetable markets to show how these, coupled with government impotence, have led to uncontrolled, spiralling inflation.

#Agriculture Policy #Economy

Dec 2013

TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

Have you overstepped the Sustainable Consumption Line?

TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY : Have you overstepped the Sustainable Consumption Line?

Humanity has collectively crossed the limits necessary for ecological sustainability. Ashish Kothari argues for a sustainable consumption line that would ensure individuals and communities do not partake of resources in a way that deprives others or endangers the environment further.

#Climate #Environment #Ecommentary

Oct 2013

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

A raw deal for consumers

CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT : A raw deal for consumers

The Consumer Protection Act passed by the Indian government in 1986 defeats its own objectives in the way that it functions today; Sakuntala Narasimhan reveals how it sidelines consumer rights and protects the bigger multinationals operating in the emerging market.

#Laws

Jun 2013

CERC ORDER IN ADANI CASE

Corporate interests rise above all

CERC ORDER IN ADANI CASE : Corporate interests rise above all

Despite privatisation in the power sector, consumer interests are professed to be safeguarded through competitive processes and independent regulatory authorities, but a recent order in favour of Adani Power Ltd. dents such assertions. Shripad Dharmadhikary analyses the implications.

#Economy #Government #GUJARAT

May 2013

GAME THEORY

Should bribe-givers be let off?

GAME THEORY : Should bribe-givers be let off?

Researchers conduct experiments to study Kaushik Basu's idea that only bribe-takers should be punished, and get insight that may help anti-corruption efforts. Tarun Jain reports.

#Public Funds #Government

Dec 2012

RETAIL SECTOR

FDI: Just the facts, please

RETAIL SECTOR : FDI: Just the facts, please

Whether foreign direct invesmtent in retail in India is good or bad should be judged by a reasoned debate based on facts, not hyperbole and exaggeration. Jacob John reports.

#Trade #Economy

Nov 2012

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE

Patients' rights on the rise

MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE : Patients' rights on the rise

Amidst a rising tide of reports of medical negligence in the media, the courts have stepped in to interpret laws in favour of patients, and to award large punitive damages. Shoma Chatterji reports.

#Health

Apr 2011

HEALTH DRINK/CONSUMERS

From snow ball to coconut lassi

HEALTH DRINK/CONSUMERS : From snow ball to coconut lassi

This Kochi's couple's one-year-old enterprise is perhaps the only serious attempt to market snow ball tender coconut so far. And in their response to irregularity of supply, they introduced the coconut lassi. Shree Padre has more.

#Livelihoods #Economy #KERALA

Jan 2009

ECONOMY/CONSUMERS

Tender coconut juice, instantly chilled

ECONOMY/CONSUMERS : Tender coconut juice, instantly chilled

Moments after a customer approaches this cart, the vendor pours tender coconut juice into a funnel-like part. Chilled juice comes out of a stainless steel tap below, filling a 250 ml glass, for Rs.10. Shree Padre reports about Fruit Hut Beverages, a Hyderabad-based firm that has launched the Coco Fresco brand.

#Economy #ANDHRA PRADESH

Jun 2007

KARNATAKA : ELECTRICITY REGULATION

Citizens input on power tariffs

KARNATAKA : ELECTRICITY REGULATION : Citizens input on power tariffs

In a few weeks, Karnataka will once again seek public input in setting electricity tariffs. While the era of state electricity boards has ended, public participation is important to counter pressures from the government, utility companies, and the commercial private sector on regulators, write Lina Krishnan, Gautam Menon and M V Ramana.

#Energy #Economy #KARNATAKA

Nov 2006

MEASURING WATER SUPPLY

Water meters help consumers, suppliers

MEASURING WATER SUPPLY : Water meters help consumers, suppliers

With a properly metered water bill, consumers have a much better chance of being heard than otherwise. Yes, there are justified concerns about rights and equity when we talk of water, but metering is not anti-poor. In fact, used well, it can address their demands powerfully, says S Vishwanath.

#Water #Environment #KARNATAKA

Nov 2006