Governance | Citizen Matters

Will Mysuru’s bike sharing system transform the way its citizens commute?

June 27, 2017 Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya

Trin-Trin, the country’s first city-wide public bicycle sharing system, has already seen 1300 registrations since its launch on June 4th. An interview with one of the key proponents reveals the details of the initiative.

Why Karnataka’s draft law regulating private health care is important for citizens

June 23, 2017 Akhila Vasan

Healthcare activists argue that the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Amendments Bill 2017 proposes a much-needed citizen-centric overhaul and regulation of the private medical sector in Karnataka.

Swachh rankings: Why Alappuzha with its award winning system is in the bottom 100

June 20, 2017 Navya P K

The Alappuzha model of waste management was presented as a zero-waste model at the Paris Climate Conference in 2015. Yet the city stands at a dismal rank of 380 in the recent clean city rankings. Navya P K finds out why.

Why India’s clean city rankings need a serious rethink!

June 16, 2017 Navya P K

The top ranked cities in the Swachh Survekshan 2017 undertaken by the MoUD do not segregate, process or dispose of their waste scientifically. In the first part of an in-depth study, Navya P K finds that the survey criteria are in conflict with the government’s own SWM policy!

What every citizen should know about the GST

June 14, 2017 Akshatha M

With the new Goods and Services Tax all set to roll out on July 1st, it’s high time for all to be aware of the changes that it brings and its impact on various categories of taxpayers. Akshatha M explains.

Living on the edge: A photo-essay on Bengaluru’s migrant waste pickers

May 10, 2017 Kavya Michael

A vivid picture of the destitution and rights-deprivation that members of the city’s migrant waste-picking community are doomed to.

What Delhi’s new civic bodies could do to clean the air

April 24, 2017 Yashaswini Mittal

As the national capital elects a new municipality, here’s a look at what the city government could do to tackle its air pollution problem.

Voices India needs to hear to reap the urban dividend

April 20, 2017 Malini Gopalakrishnan

Equipping girls from all strata of society with the right set of tools to make informed choices and speak up for themselves will be critical for the progress of urban society and economy, writes Malini Gopalakrishnan.

Little hope for clean air in Delhi as crop burning likely to continue

April 13, 2017 News Desk

Denial and lackadaisical attitude in implementing the environment ministry’s Graded Response Action Plan to combat air pollution in Delhi puts citizens at risk, say experts.

Delhi teen and friends start venture to help acid attack survivors

April 5, 2017 Sara Borasio

‘Flawless Flaws,’ started by Sandeed Farooq not only raises awareness about acid attacks and funds for its victims, but is attempting to build dialogues that will address the root causes behind such violence.

How to claim compensation under the Solatium Fund in hit and run cases

March 30, 2017 Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya

Details of the Solatium Scheme of the government and the procedure to claim compensation under it in hit and run cases

A guide to compensation available for accident victims

March 30, 2017 Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya

If Parliament passes the new Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill 2016, the sum of compensation available to hit and run victims could go up significantly. But what are the existing legal schemes for compensation and how does one avail that?

As playschools operate at will, is your child’s safety at threat?

March 17, 2017 Akshatha M

Several reported instances of child sexual abuse in preschools across India, often by members of staff, raise concerns about the lack of regulation in the country’s pre-primary education sector. Akshatha M digs deeper.

Professional municipal cadre: Could guilds be the way forward?

March 15, 2017 Anirban Choudhury

When we talk about a cadre of municipal professionals for smart cities and urban local bodies, it would be good for such professionals to be a part of respective trade guilds created by due legislation, says Anirban Choudhury.

Where are the ‘smart city’ planners?

March 14, 2017 Anirban Choudhury

Smart cities need a vision. But perhaps more importantly, they need people who are able to draft that and take it to fruition.