Cover Story: April 2008

Bridging the gap between the two Indias
Despite its weaknesses and flaws, the UPA government's loan waiver has managed to bring agriculture on the centre stage of India's political discourse. Only a collective effort by political parties and opinion makers can now ensure that it remains there till the gap between India and Bharat fades away
Pranay Sharma Delhi

Bad debt
As ambitious targets are being set for credit flow to agriculture, the loan waiver with its insensitive concern for incentive and justice sets the clock backward
Nilabja Ghosh Delhi

Harvesting new jobs
India has too many mouths to feed with too little in their pockets. Shifting jobs from the farming sector to other sectors can perhaps turn the situation around
Mohan Guruswamy Delhi

Debt ridden Health
It is the role of the State to ensure adequate investment in public healthcare, and, if public private partnerships are the elected route, the State must develop the oversight mechanisms necessary to minimise the risks
Laura Keenan Delhi Exit policy for farmers
As India is dumped with cheap agricultural products, farmers are being squeezed out of their livelihood, putting the nation's food security at stake
Devinder Sharma Delhi "After waivers, put some money in their hands"
Sanjay Kapoor Delhi Outlefting the Left
The Left will now find it difficult to shrug off the pro-poor measures initiated by the Congress as mere 'half-hearted tokenism'
Rajat Roy Kolkata