Governance | Citizen Matters

COVID-19: Number of infected on the rise, but are their contacts being traced?

March 28, 2020 Navya P K

A critical step in containing coronavirus is contact tracing — identifying anyone who came in contact with an infected person, quarantining and monitoring them. But across Indian states, there seem to be significant discrepancies in the way this is being done.

With Disaster Management Act in place, shall we finally get respite from fake news on COVID-19?

March 27, 2020 Harsha Raj Gatty

Think twice before you share something on social media. Fake claims and warnings may attract imprisonment of up to one year or a fine under Sections 52 and 54 of the Disaster Management Act (DMA), 2005, which has been invoked during the 21-day nationwide lockdown in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus.

Op-ed: City governments and citizens hold the key to beating COVID

March 25, 2020 Tarun Sharma

The current narrative around COVID in India has established the Centre and states as the main actors battling the pandemic. However, cities have been the epicenters of action and local governments play a pivotal role in mitigating the crisis. And of course, the choices made by citizens are going to determine the outcomes we see in the coming weeks.

Pandemic response must not forget the poor and homeless: Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Mumbai

March 23, 2020 News Desk

The Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Mumbai has written to the Government of Maharashtra to put in place a comprehensive strategy for controlling the spread of the coronavirus based on human rights principles, strengthening of public health care and mitigation of the adverse impact on the poor and marginalized.

Delhi: Is AAP see-sawing between ‘development’ and ‘democracy’?

March 16, 2020 Revathi Siva Kumar

Relief efforts and rehabilitation of victims of the Delhi riots are under way, but the state government re-elected to power with an overwhelming majority, still find themselves fielding questions over their poor prevention and management of communal violence.

Low-cost housing crunch in Mumbai: Is the state to blame?

February 28, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the state’s nodal agency for public housing provision, is no longer able to build and sell houses at affordable rates. Many blame the tweaks in government policies that conveniently favour the corporate builders’ lobby.

How liveable is your city? Take this survey to help ascertain that

February 26, 2020 News Desk

While the Ease of Living Index has been compiled since 2018, this year will see greater emphasis on citizen participation. Through a Citizen Perception Survey, the ministry seeks the views of citizens on quality of life in their city.

When will we love our cities as much as we love Donald Trump?

February 24, 2020 Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya

A lot has been done to get our cities and landmarks ready for the visit of the US President, but would any of it have been necessary if there were better systems and governance in place?

Explained: The Data Protection Bill and how it proposes to safeguard your personal data

February 19, 2020 Soumya Shekhar

The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 is currently before a Joint Parliamentary Committee for consideration. Take a look at the key features of the proposed law and how it aims to protect your personal data, and send in your comments to the committee by February 25th.

Knowledge on small cities: What are we missing?

February 19, 2020 Tarun Sharma

Urban research has been disproportionately focused on big cities. Consequently, the knowledge that informs the thinking and decisions for the future of urban India is also largely derived from larger cities. How can the information deficit on small cities and towns be bridged?

What do the manifestos of AAP, BJP and INC promise for Delhi elections 2020?

February 6, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

With the Delhi assembly elections just around the corner, what are the key promises in the manifestos of AAP. BJP and INC? How do they compare on key issues such as education, housing, healthcare and pollution?

How regularisation of irregular colonies fell flat on its face as a poll issue in Delhi

February 6, 2020 Santosh Joy

Both AAP and BJP had initially claimed credits for initiating steps to regularise 1,734 illegal colonies in Delhi. However as elections drew near, the ruling party laid greater emphasis on its performance in health, education and women’s safety. The BJP’s plan to leverage the issue also came a cropper.

FAQ for voters in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2020

February 4, 2020 News Desk

Casting your vote in Delhi on February 8th? Wondering if you could still do so without a voter ID card? Or how to locate your polling booth? Where to check for more information on candidates? Here is a handy guide for all the questions that you may be seeking answers to.

Delhi Report Card 4: Will AAP’s doorstep delivery of services prove to be the clincher in 2020 polls?

February 4, 2020 Vijaya Pushkarna

While the party admits that it could not crack down on corruption the way it would have liked to because of the Centre’s control over the anti-corruption branch, its two major initiatives — doorstep delivery of services and installation of CCTV cameras — have won the trust of many citizens.

Delhi Report Card 1: Has the AAP government lived up to its promises on power?

January 31, 2020 Vijaya Pushkarna

Across Delhi, from those living in small tenements to residents of big bungalows, everyone has gained to some extent from AAP’s promise to reduce power bills. How was this made possible and is it even sustainable? The first in our special series leading up to elections in the capital

Amaravati and the many dreams that lie shattered with it

January 27, 2020 Lalita Iyer

Launched amid much fanfare during the previous political regime, the greenfield Amaravati project has fallen apart. With it have disappeared all promises made to farmers who had pooled in land — rent of Rs. 50,000 per acre for ten years, jobs for family members, reimbursement of children’s education fees etc

Why ‘Fast Track Courts’ have been slow to ensure justice for women and children

January 16, 2020 Bindu Gopal Rao

The main intent behind the setting up of Fast Track Courts was to speed up trials and decide cases relating to serious crimes, especially against women and children. In most states, however, these have failed to achieve anything. A look at the reasons behind such failure.

Have cities really made it easier for women to report crimes against them?

January 15, 2020 Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya

As India strives to ensure faster delivery of justice in cases involving crimes against women, several steps have been taken to improve ease of initial reporting. Here are some reports from different cities that indicate how these are functioning on the ground.

How released female prisoners in Kolkata are trying to build a new life

January 14, 2020 Gurvinder Singh

Shunned by families, often deeply scarred and traumatised by experiences in prison and ostracised by society at large, women convicts can rarely expect a normal life in the city after release. These cases from Kolkata, facilitated by state and NGOs, however raise hope.

18000 crore rupees, nearly 5 lakh jobs lost as Kashmir reels under internet suspension

January 3, 2020 Abid Bashir Wani

Those are just the figures since August 5th, as quoted in a report from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Underlying these figures is the angst of thousands who did not get their salaries, students who struggled to prepare for crucial exams and many more.