Explainers – Page 4 – Citizen Matters

Where and how to file a complaint against online trolling

July 17, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

They spare no one — whether it’s an union minister or you! A quick look at how to get the offender booked under law, if you have been a victim of online harrassment, intimidation or abuse.

What’s behind Delhi’s crazy electricity demand this summer?

July 11, 2018 Down to Earth Staff

Delhi supplies the cheapest electricity compared to most other mega cities. That, combined with badly designed buildings and poor AC standards, is leading to a whopping, unsustainable consumption of energy, finds a CSE analysis.

Life without plastic: Mumbaikars prepare to show the way

June 25, 2018 Arathi Manay Yajaman

The Maharashtra plastic and thermocol ban kicks in today. What is banned? What can happen if you violate the ban? And most importantly, what are your alternatives? A look at how the average Mumbaikar is preparing for life without plastic.

How to use consumer laws against shops selling goods above MRP

June 8, 2018 Daksha Hathi

Nobody can sell anything above Maximum Retail Price (MRP). If they do, they can be sued. Many cases of people who won the MRP battle, explained here.

Plastic and pollution: How much do you know?

June 5, 2018 Shilpi Sahu

This Environment Day, test your own knowledge! This quiz is for you if you want to be aware of how much you know about plastics.

Where does the plastic waste in Indian cities go?

June 2, 2018 Garima Prasher

A reality check on the plastic waste management practices of major Indian cities shows that there has been limited success of anti-plastic policies, even as the country gears up to host World Environment Day 2018, with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

Nipah virus: How to avoid infection and fever

May 23, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

Bats are being culled, every case of fever is scrutinised carefully. But the nation has one lab which certifies the cases of Nipah. What does a citizen need to know about Nipah?

Whitewashed roofs or Whatsapp alerts: How is your city planning to beat the heat this summer?

April 30, 2018 Harsha Raj Gatty

IMD spells a gruelling summer ahead with temperatures 0.5°C to 1°C higher than the long term average. From Ahmedabad to Nagpur to Hyderabad, what are cities doing to minimise heat-related casualties?

Three ways in which the new Motor Vehicles law could make our roads safer

April 25, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016, if enacted into law, could have helped to reduce road accidents. But it remains a casualty itself of an indefinitely adjourned Parliament.

India’s new plastic management rules go soft on industry, betray environment

April 19, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

India generates around 25,940 tonnes of plastic waste every day, but the amended rules for its management provide no road map towards reduction. If anything, it only gives the FMCG industry cause for cheer, say environmentalists.

Want to make your city safer? Don’t be a passive bystander!

April 4, 2018 Revathi Siva Kumar

What do you do when you see an accident victim on the street, unconscious and bleeding? Or when the young girl opposite you in the bus is being evidently harassed? Can you, as a bystander, intervene and help?

Pune, Hyderabad bank on municipal bonds, but why are Kochi and Surat dithering?

April 2, 2018 Navya P K

The Centre has been actively promoting municipal bonds as a source to fund development of cities, but those with lower credit ratings may not find it a very smooth option to raise money through the same.