Opinion
Regulatory Impact Assessment: Useful tool for informed debate
01 Feb 2005 |
Ms Anjali Garg
| The Hindu Business Line
There are calls for a review of the Electricity Act 2003 yet again. The Act, passed by Parliament in June 2003, replaced all the existing legislation in the power sector and sought to bring about a qualitative transformation of the sector. It creates a liberal framework of development for the power sector by distancing the government from regulation.
The rationale for Corporate Social Responsibility in India
23 Dec 2004 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Financial Express
Gandhiji was a person who in several respects was ahead of his time. His view of the ownership of capital was one of trusteeship, motivated by the belief that essentially society was providing capitalists with an opportunity to manage resources that should really be seen as a form of trusteeship on behalf of society in general. Today, we are perhaps coming round full circle in emphasizing this concept through an articulation of the principle of social responsibility of business and industry.
India better at subways than New York? It's true
28 Nov 2004 |
| New York Daily News
When I moved to New Delhi, India's chaotic capital, I scarcely expected to find a model for urban transit from which New York could learn.
An integrated energy policy is imperative for growth
23 Nov 2004 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| Deccan Herald
Academician, visionary entrepreneur, doctorate in Economics and Industrial Engineering all rolled into one is Dr R K Pachauri, Director General of The Energy & Research Institute (TERI). Even as he is busy trying to develop cheaper and user-friendly technologies for rural masses, he has a huge task in convincing not just the government, industry but also rural masses in picking up and inculcating ideas, products and concepts in the area of renewable and sustainable energy. Under Dr Pachauri's leadership, TERI does original research and provides professional support in the areas of energy, environment, forestry, biotechnology, and conservation of natural resources to governments, institutions, and corporate organisations worldwide. Dr Pachauri discusses a variety of issues with Deccan Herald's Aditya Raj Das.
Give oil companies full freedom to set prices
15 Nov 2004 |
Mr R K Batra
| The Financial Express
In the Arabian Nights, there is a story of Sinbad the sailor carrying an old man on his back to cross a stream and then being unable to shake him off for days afterwards. The government seems to have got itself into a similar bind with regard to petrol and diesel prices.
Budget should reflect economic security
06 Jul 2004 |
Dr Leena Srivastava
| The Times of India
The Budget should leverage private investments in the infrastructure sectors through scarce public resources that are linked to social deliverables. For example, in meeting the target of 100% rural electrification, public resources should be used to bid for lowest subsidy demands. This would bring in private participation and efficiencies while providing energy to the poor. Regulatory Commissions should be strengthened to effectively monitor rural energisation programmes.
Power politics: no light at the end of the tunnel
04 Jun 2004 |
Dr R K Pachauri
| The Times of India
The country is fortunate to have a prime minister with the convictions of Manmohan Singh. As finance minister, he opted for policies which were in the national interest, even when they seemed heretical to some. He countered with great success opposition from vested interests. As the new government gets going, there is one particular issue on which Singh cannot compromise. His handling of it will send out a powerful signal in several other areas of economic policy. And this is putting an end to politicians promising free electricity to farmers.
Green building
11 Apr 2004 |
Dr Debajit Palit
| The Assam Tribune
The relevance of energy efficient buildings has assumed greater significance in the light of fast depleting energy resources, energy scarcity and environmental pollution hitting an obscene high. The building construction is one of the largest energy consuming sectors. Studies conducted by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicate that in 1990, the residential, commercial and institutional building sector consumed 31 per cent of global energy and emitted 1900 mega tonnes of carbon and by 2050, its share may rise to 38 per cent and 3800 mega tonnes, respectively. In our country, it is estimated that about 25 per cent of the total energy demands are due to manufacturing materials required in building construction, while another 30 per cent go into the running needs of the building. The ministry of power approximation indicates that 20-25 per cent of the total electricity consumed in the government buildings are wasted because of inefficient design parameters of the building, thus resulting in a whopping energy financial loss of about Rs 150 crore a year.
Double dilemma on green goods in WTO: It is in the interest of developing countries to keep the list as small as possible
17 Mar 2004 |
Mr Sandeep Singh
| The Financial Express
In the ongoing World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations on trade and environment, it is being explored whether environment-friendly products should be brought in the ambit of environmental goods for the purpose of reduction of trade barriers. There are pros and cons of extending the scope of environmental goods, beyond pollution abatement equipment and services. However, in the context of the international trade rules and long-term trade interests of developing countries, the cons seem to outnumber the pros.
PDS supply of kerosene: a burning issue
13 Mar 2004 |
Dr Ibrahim H Rehman
| The Hindu Business Line
The 55th round of the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO ? June-July 2000) reported that around 51 per cent rural households, corresponding to 70-80 million families, burn kerosene in lanterns for light. Although 87 per cent of villages have been declared electrified, barely 43 per cent of rural households actually have power connections, leaving the un-electrified homes and poor dependent on kerosene.