India

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee says that Globalisation has had a "worrisome impact." Speaking at Port Louis during a visit to Mauritius in March, he said globalisation had increased the inequalities between nations. Two hundred and fifty years ago, the richest countries, he added, were only five times richer than the poorest. But in 1976, Switzerland was 52 times richer than Mozambique and in 1997, it was 508 times richer. Vajpayee asked the developed world to do more to reduce poverty including giving developing countries access to their countries, dropping protectionist practices and ``solve the riddle about the flow of labour not keeping pace with the liberalisation of trade and investment.''

Poverty Rising in India

Several recent studies indicate that poverty is on the rise in India. According to the results of the 53rd round of the National Sample Survey released recently, the percentage of rural poor in India increased from 35% in 1991 to 38.5% in 1997 while in urban areas it declined from 35.3% to almost 34% during this period. Since the vast majority of India’s poor, estimated to be anywhere between 320-400 million, live in rural areas the overall number of poor has risen.

A survey carried out by the NCAER along with the International Development Research Centre of Canada drew similar conclusions. Yet another study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) notes that while overall economic growth has been impressive since the start of reforms in the early 1990s, this has not had a positive impact on rural poverty. Most analysts attribute the failure to reduce rural poverty to declining public investment in agriculture, which provides a livelihood to 70% of Indians. Trade liberalisation in recent years has also led to extreme price volatility in many agricultural products that has hurt poor farmers. Agriculture growth has yo-yoed in recent years, from 5.0% in 1994-95 to a negative 0.9% the following year to a positive growth of 9.6% in 1996-97 and a negative 1.9% in 1997-98. Agriculture growth in 1998-99 was 7.2%, but this is expected to fall to to 0.8% in 1999-2000. Foodgrain production is on the decline and the IFPRI report warns that India could have cereal deficits of 36 to 64 million tonnes a year by 2020.

A poor unfriendly budget?

Indian Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha presented the Central Government’s budget for 2000-2001 on Feb 29. The fiscal deficit, the key macro-economic indicator of the health of the economy, rose to 5.4% during 1999-2000 against an anticipated 4.0% reflecting a serious mismatch between income and expenditure. The Kargill conflict with Pakistan late last year was one reason for expenditure getting out of hand, as was the inability of the government to rein in its mounting wage bills. Defence got the single largest increase of 28.2% in the new budget. Food and fertiliser subsides have been cut and this has raised the hackles of not just the opposition, but also coalition allies of the BJP-led government. Indications are that there may be some rollback in the proposed cuts, which if implemented could hurt the poor. Prices to farmers of Urea and DAP, among the most widely used fertilisers in the country, are proposed to be hiked by 15% and 7% respectively. For the poor consumer, the price of food supplied through the public distribution system could rise 40% in the case of rice and 60% in the case of wheat, with the finance minister seeking to recover half the economic cost of providing these cereals to those below the official poverty line.

Indian reforms must continue says Bank

The World Bank’s latest country report, "India: Policies to Reduce Poverty and Accelerate Sustainable Development," released in Feb 2000 notes that there is a wide disparity in poverty across and between Indian states. More than 40% of people in six states (Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar) live below the poverty line with the figure in Bihar being as high as 60%. Most of the poor states are bankrupt and cannot spend on social sectors. The report urges that a second wave of reforms would be crucial to boost growth and reduce poverty. This would include cuts in subsidies, privatisation of power, improvement of efficiency of public expenditure on health and education, better governance and better infrastructure among others. But implementing this agenda in some of the poorer states is not going to be easy says the report.

Andhra Pradesh database for micro-planning

The Andhra Pradesh Government plans to deploy Rs. 5,000 crores for targeted development through micro-level planning using an integrated, digitised database superimposed with satellite imagery developed by the Andhra Pradesh Planning Department. Under the project, all geographical boundaries, 23 districts, 1,099 mandals, 116 municipalities, 28,245 revenue villages, 21,945 gram panchayats, 65,505 habitations, 3,393 municipal wards, which were considered as distinct administrative units, have been digitised to a scale of 1:50,000. The data will be made available in both English and Telugu. Information on habitations, villages, panchayats, mandals will be made available to the public even on the Net.

Energy-environment database

Teddy Online+ is a computerised statistical database on Indian economy with specific reference to energy, environment and economic indicators, and, some aspects of international economy. Produced by the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), the database provides ready to use information in a spreadsheet format to be used for further analyses by planners, researchers, and, policy makers. The database is broadly categorised under the four sections of the Indian economy, namely, energy supply, energy demand, environment, and, economic indicators. Much effort has gone into integrating the cross-sectional data.

See http://www.teriin.org/pub/db/database.htm#teddy E-mail: outreach@teri.res.in Fax (+91 11) 462 1770 or 463 2609.

Rainwater harvesting

Villages are managing their water needs even in areas suffering from drought. For two years now, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has been promoting the concept of rainwater harvesting, whose potential is seen as enormous. A mere 100 mm of rainfall when captured on one hectare of land, yields as much as one million litres of water. There is no village in India which cannot meet its drinking water needs from rainwater harvesting. CSE itself today ensures that not a drop of rain goes out of its premises. Through simple engineering structures, in a normal year, its 1,000 square metre land area collects 7 lakh litres of water which go straight into the bowels of Mother Earth to recharge the depleted groundwater reserves.

Leprosy campaign

India has launched what is being described as "the world's biggest ever" media campaign against leprosy. It aims to help speed eradication and destroy myths surrounding the disease. India has more than 60% of the world's leprosy patients, as well as 85% of its cured cases. Yet "a rising number of cases are coming to light. India aims to eradicate the disease by 2003, two years ahead of the global target. The campaign includes radio and television spots featuring sports figures and others who have been cured of leprosy.

Joint Forest Management

The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), an NGO working in the area of natural resources development over the past 15 years, conducts case studies of its work and publishes these for wider dissemination. The most recent case study entitled: ‘Institutional and Vegetational Issues on Joint Forest Management’, documents the process involved in evolving Joint Forest Management (JFM) in a tribal village of Bharuch district. The study is based on intensive vegetation survey, information collected through PRA exercises, focus group discussions and the author’s observations over a period of six years. It raises important institutional issues with regards to joint forest management. Contact: AKRSP on (fax) 91-79-6420864 or (email) akrsp@icenet.net

Indian democracy

An analysis of the functioning of the Indian democracy, based on a nation-wide survey conducted in 1996, in which over 10,000 Indian voters, representing a cross-section of the country’s electorate, were interviewed, has resulted in the publication of Democracy and social change in India – A Cross Sectional Analysis of the National Electorate. Despite widespread poverty and illiteracy and religious and linguistic heterogeneity, India continues to sustain a viable and orderly democratic government. The resilience of Indian democracy in the face of these problems coupled with the challenges posed by modernisation and accelerated social change in explained in this book. Contact: SAGE, New Delhi on (fax) 91-11-6472426

Rating NGOs

Two thousand non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in India are to be rated on the basis of their financial performance and the qualitative impact of their work. The grading of these organisations is expected to provide a barometer for donors who distribute funds and also help to establish the credibility of a voluntary body. This exercise is expected to help isolate the unaccountable organisations and improve the image of the voluntary sector on the whole. Funded by the Central government and executed by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), a Delhi-based voluntary organisation, the process of rating the NGOs has already begun and CAF was expected to come out with its first list before the start of 2000.

Voluntary action: case studies

SAGE has recently started a series of special studies and papers on important contemporary problems. The first in this series deals with voluntary action as an instrument for social change. It includes case studies on successful voluntary experiences in Gujarat (the Swadyaya Movement, SEWA and the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme), Mumbai (National Institute of Rural Integrated Development) and Bangalore (the work of Sumangali Sewa Ashram). The case studies provide interesting glimpses of the different approaches to voluntary action for social change. Contact: SAGE, New Delhi on (fax) 91-11-6472426

Directory of Indian Donors

For the first time, a comprehensive list of funding agencies based in the six major cities of Delhi, Ahemedabad, Chennai, Vadodara, Mumbai and Calcutta is available – published by the Indian Centre for Philanthropy. The directory includes a general index, followed by subject indices covering arts and humanities, conservation and environment, education, medicine and health, science and technology, social welfare, rural development, research activities

The role of family in Indian business

The October edition of SEMINAR magazine, examines a series of issues related to family-run businesses in India. Does the joint family offer a competitive advantage in Indian business? Have family-run businesses been able to separate the family’s interest from the interest of the business? Can a family-run business survive the competitive demands of the post-reform scenarios? The magazine includes both interviews and articles on these themes. Contact: Seminar on (fax) 91-11-3316445.

Disability

On the occasion of the National Disability Convention held in New Delhi, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and the National Association for the Blind (NAB) have disclosed the findings of a significant gender-segregated research study on employment for people with disabilities. The study shows that the 100 companies studied together employ just over 3,000 disabled people – just 0.4% of the total workforce. 20 companies do not employ any disabled people. The study also explored the kind of placement services offered by NGOs working in this field. According to data collected from 87 NGOs, working in different parts of the country, placement of disabled people is a difficult task and the inequalities experienced by them are immense. As many as 50% of those placed, received an income less than Rs. 1000 a month. Source: Catalyst Newsletter, National Foundation of India.

Human Rights critique

Human Rights: a critique is a publication of the Indian Social Institute which explores limitations in the National Human Rights Commission. The book is based on the proceedings of a national seminar held at ISI, which focused on societal violation of human rights and the cause of dalits and other backward sections of Indian society, including the minorities, women and children. The book argues that societal violation of human rights must be given priority by organisations such as the NHRC. Contact: ISI on (fax) 91-80-5561700

Human Rights Diary

Vigil India Movement, based in Bangalore produces a monthly newsletter which signposts significant events and trends related to human rights in India. Contact: Vigil India Movement on (fax) 91-80-5546831

Human Development Reports in India

NCAER Releases first India Human Development Report

Among the rural populations of the 15 largest Indian States, just 43% of households have domestic lighting, 25% have access to tap water and only 33% utilise the Public Distribution System. Relative levels of human development among the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are lowest in rural India, according a large-scale rural survey report, "India: Human Development Report - A Profile of Indian States in the 1990s", released summer 1999.

The Report, published by OUP and produced by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), presents the main findings of a multi-modal household sample survey conducted in 1994. The survey was commissioned by India's Planning Commission. It covered 33,000 rural households spread over 1,765 villages and 195 districts. UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) supported the initiative. Contact: UNDP, New Delhi www.undp.org.in

Debate on Human Development Index

In July '99, a high-level two-day workshop organised by the Planning Commission and UNDP in New Delhi, examined methodologies for the computation of a composite Human Development Index for India.

A background paper by the Planning Commission pointed out the need for an HDI with variables somewhat different from those adopted by UNDP in preparing its annual Human Development Reports. There was also a discussion on the recently released Karnataka Human Development Report (the second State HDR to be published) and two editions of the Madhya Pradesh HDR in 1995 and 1998.

The workshop brought to the fore data limitations for preparation of HDRs. There was discussion on the gaps in data and what could be done to strengthen the formal statistical base particularly insofar as data at the district and sub-district level was concerned. There was also a consensus that data available from other strong non-official sources - e.g. academics, institutions, independent voluntary organisations, village level studies, impact studies etc. - should be used to support analysis and strengthen arguments.

UNDP has published a discussion paper on ‘Diversity and Disparities in Human Development-Key Challenges for India’ - the third in a series on poverty and human development by the UNDP India Country Office for the India Development Forum. The document’s looks at regional variations in human development. It examines current trends, proposing an action agenda to overcome disparities in achievements across regions and among social groups. Contact: UNDP, New Delhi.

Karnataka State Human Development Index

The Karnataka State Government has recently announced its intention to introduce a Human Development Index to manage and monitor the socio-economic development of society. The index will monitor both the micro and the macro level socio-economic development in the State providing input to the Government to help formulate development schemes

A SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT INDEX

The Planning Commission of the Government of India, has decided to formulate an indigenous framework to measure social development in the country, intended as the social equivalent of the Gross Domestic Product. This move has met with mixed reactions from the development community. Some feel that it is a positive step towards bringing about qualitative improvements in the delivery mechanism, highlighting leaks, promoting the effective utilisation of limited resources or streamlining delivery and evaluation systems. Others however, view it as reaction to India's low rank in UNDP's Human Development Report. In the most recent report India ranked 139 in a list of 174 countries.

The Planning Commission is also encouraging State Governments to produce their own Human Development Reports. Madhya Pradesh was the first state to produce a Human Development Report and has recently published a revised version. The Planning Commission has recommended this as a model to other states.

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Environmental issues

Indian Expertise on Environment

A Research, Networking and Policy Advocacy Programme of the Rural Development Unit at Aga Khan Foundation is currently working on the production of a sourcebook on expertise and facilities available in 40 Science and Technology Institutions in India, in the area of natural resource management (NRM). It is supporting research studies/projects on

Village institutions in NRM
Approaches that enhance equity in NRM
Enhancing participation of women in NRM projects
Framework for impact assessment of NRM projects

AKF fax 91-11-3782174 or email akfind@atge.automail.com

More on the State of India’s Environment

"About 99% of India’s original frontier forests have been lost, while 57% of the present frontier forests are being threatened. Each year a million people die of water pollution. Women in villages work more for less. Lesser availability of fodder, firewood and water means more work for them…"

The Citizens’ Fifth Report on the State of India’s Environment released by the Centre for Science and Environment, analyses the current state of the environment and provides a glimpse of the future. It highlights two important themes of relevance to with India’s environmental future. The first - that if India learns from the outstanding work that has been undertaken to promote community-based natural resource management in the 1980s and 1990s and ensures that these effort are replicated on a large scale in ecological regions to which they are applicable, then a large part of India’s rural poverty can be wiped out in the next 10-20 years. The second – that India’s urban areas will be reeling under increasing pollution, traffic congestion and wastes, making urban life almost unbearable. Thus, even though the rural situation may be improving, India will need innovative strategies to address the problems in the urban sector.

CSE fax 91-11-6985879 or email cse@cseindia.org

Community-based institutions and forestry

A study by the National Research Network on Joint Forest Management, coordinated by the India Development Service a Karnataka-based NGO, examines the criteria used by village forest institutions across the country to ascertain progress. Following the National Forest Policy, 1998, an emphasis has been placed on involving village forest institutions in the management of forest land. Estimates show about 20,000 such institutions in existence. The study aims to understand villagers’ perception of participatory forest management and to identify their criteria for determining the success of these institutions. Findings suggest the need for mainstream development agencies to build-in flexibility in their way of functioning and to utilize community specific criteria in assessing progress. The study was supported by DFID India. Contact: India Development Service, Sadhankeri Road, Dharwad – 580 008

WWF-India website

WWF in India has the following main objectives: promoting India's ecological security; restoring the ecological balance; conserving biological diversity in India; ensuring sustainable use of the natural resource base; minimising pollution and wasteful consumption; and promoting sustainable lifestyles. WWF’s recently launched website has information on WWF’s Programme in India along with news and coverage of environmental trends in the country. The site also has links to the website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Strengthening Local Governance

An international workshop held in Bangalore, the combined effort of three local NGOs -SEARCH (Bangalore), OUTREACH (Bangalore), PRIA (New Delhi), and Ford Foundation and the Participation Group of the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, provided a forum for development practitioners and researchers from different countries to share and exchanges experiences in using participatory methods to strengthen local governance. SEARCH email search@search.dabang.ernet.in or fax 91-80-6635361.

The New Economics Foundation (UK) has recently released a report called 'Working from Below - techniques to strengthen local governance'. The report explores the potential role of two techniques used in the North - Social Auditing and Community Based Indicators - in strengthening local governance in India.The report is based on an existing Ford Foundation programme for the development of panchayats in the state of Karnataka. The output of a series of workshops held in Karnataka and elsewhere, with a range of Indian NGOs and individuals has also been incorporated in the report. This includes: an introduction to the concept of governance and its link to the concept of participation; case studies on the application of Social Auditing and Community Based Indicators and an appendix with useful resource organisation and individuals. Contact: New Economics Foundation on fax +44 (0) 20 7407 6473 or SEARCH, Bangalore fax 91-80-6635361, Email search.net@vsnl.com

Local self-government in the North-East

The Hyderabad-based National Institute of Rural Development has recently published the findings of a study on the evolution and effectiveness of the local self-governments in the North-Eastern States. The study follows research on similar themes in 10 other Indian states. Contact: NIRD on (fax) 91-40-4015765 www.nird.org

Debt – a regional analysis

Released as part of the Jubilee 2000 initiative (a campaign aimed at addressing the issue of debt owed by the poorest countries of the world), a study on "External Debt in South Asia" summarizes the situation of external debt situation in the region. The study also highlights the adverse impact of debt on the economies of these countries and looks at how debt relief can help in channeling resources towards the development of their social and physical infrastructure. Contact: South-South Solidarity, New Delhi on (fax) 91-11-6168613

Participatory Poverty Profile

The state of Orissa is one of the most economically disadvantaged states in India. Research carried out by a joint team from PRAXIS – Institute for Participatory Practices and Action Aid, Bhubaneshwar and supported by DFID, profiles some of complex inter-linkages between subsistence agriculture, drought, land alienation, indebtedness and migration in Bolangir District, Orissa.

The study is to inform the project design team of the Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Project of the Government of Orissa and supported by DFID. The participatory methodology (PRA) used in the study yield several significant observations regarding the poor’s perception of poverty, well being and the development constraints they face.Contact: PRAXIS, Patna on (email) praxis@actionaidindia.org

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

A Social Impact Assessment of Phase I of the Western Ghats Joint Forest Management Programme carried out by OUTREACH, a Bangalore-based NGO explores the extent, benefits and limitations to community participation in joint forest management.

The WG JFMP is one of the largest forestry programmes in the country and the largest forestry programme supported by DFID. The findings of the study suggest that a positive attempt has been made by the Karnataka Forestry Department to implement the project in a participatory manner. Contact: OUTREACH, Bangalore on (fax) 91-80-5548577.

"JFM is not merely a change in the system of forest management but a change in human attitudes and perceptions". The JFM Update published by the Society for the Protection for Wasteland Development, provides statistics of the progress made so far, a comparative view of the terms and conditions of JFM in different states and highlights of the activities of the national network on JFM co-ordinated by SPWD. Contact: SPWD on (fax) 91-11-3382633, (email) spwd@sdalt.ernet.in

Survey of Indian Agriculture, 1999

The burgeoning population and limited land and water resources in India have made it imperative to boost farm productivity continuously. The latest "Survey of the Indian Agriculture" published by The Hindu takes a look at some of the setbacks the agricultural sector has encountered in the past year, as well as the challenges which face the nation in its quest to produce more food and other agricultural commodities. The survey includes over 40 essays by well known agricultural researchers and experts. Contact: The Hindu.

Agriculture Ministry launches website.

A website designed by the agriculture ministry will disseminate information on its activities and programmes. The website will also contain agriculture statistics and the various documents and reports produced by the Ministry. The internet address is: www.delhi.nic.in/mmapd/agrinew

A people’s report on basic education

Launched a few months ago, the Public Report on Basic Education (PROBE) investigates the schooling situation in India and puts forward a case for making basic education a fundamental right. The report includes chapters on: (1) The fundamental right to education; (2) common myths about schooling situation; (3) the perceptions of parents and children; (4) the school environment; (5) teacher concerns; (6) classroom processes; (7) the dilemmas of education management; (8) recent developments and initiatives; (9) the ‘schooling revolution’ in Himachal Pradesh; and (10) the politics of elementary education. The basis of the report is a field survey carried out across five Indian states. Contact: The Probe Team on (email) probe@cdedse.ernet.in

Report cards on public services

In its most recent ‘report card’ initiative, the Public Affairs Centre, Bangalore, has teamed up with a federation of over 40 NGOs in the city of Mumbai to study the quality of public services for the urban poor in Mumbai.

The report card methodology was pioneered by the PAC to demonstrate how research can aid the efforts of civil society to improve governance. Reports card provide a flexible approach for organizing public feedback on the various aspects of public service delivery. Similar studies have been carried out in the cities of Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Chennai, Delhi and Pune. Email PAC on pacblr@blr.vsnl.net.in or fax 91-80-5537260

New NGO Directory

Profile 300 - The most recent attempt to profile India’s diverse NGO sector includes a listing of over 300 voluntary agencies. Contact: Murray Culshaw Advisory Services on (email) murray@mcas.ilban.ernet.in

DECENTRALISING GOVERNMENT: PANCHAYATI RAJ

Status of Finances of Panchayati Raj Institutions

A study by PRIA analysed the trends in the income, expenditure and resource mobilisation capacity of Panchayati Raj (village level government) bodies across seven states. The findings of the study suggest that central and state level governments have not made a serious attempt to devolve financial authority to panchayats. Panchayati Raj institutions in most states have a poor fiscal base and many do not receive their due share from higher level governments.

An overview report of the study provides some recommendations in support of genuine and functional devolution of financial resources. Contact: PRIA see below.

NGOs and Panchayati Raj

'NGOs support to panchayat is vital in the process of reinvigorating grassroots governance'. An analysis of the approach and methodology used by two NGOs - PRIA and AVARD - in conducting participatory micro-planning at the village level, raises several questions regarding the role NGOs can and should play in the strengthening decentralisation processes. Availability of resources, access to information, local-level politics, are some of the issues discussed. Contact: PRIA on (fax) 91-11-6980183

Gender and the status of rural women

Stock-taking Beijing Conference Impact

Earlier in 1999, a symposium on "Stock Taking of the Impact of the World Women’s Conference, Beijing, 1995 and an agenda for the New Millennium", was organised in New Delhi by the Parliamentarians’ Forum for Human Development and the UN System in India. India sent a large delegation to Beijing and was amongst the first countries to ratify the Platform of Action.

The symposium focused on 12 critical areas of concern including: gender gaps in literacy, education and training; inadequate infrastructure for management of women’s health needs; growing trends of violence against women; victimisation of women in situations of armed conflict; lack of gender sensitivity in macro-economic policies and invisibility of women’s contribution to the economy; participation of women in decision-making structures and processes; inadequacy of institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women; violation of women’s human rights; negative portrayals and perpetuation of gender stereotypes by mass media; adverse impact of environmental degradation on sustainable development of women; persistent and institutionalised discrimination against the girl child; feminisation of poverty.

The symposium resulted in a New Delhi Resolution, reaffirming commitments made at Beijing. For info contact UNDP on www.undp.org.in

Gender-based indicators for South & South East Asia
Systematic analysis of gender issues in South Asia through a macro-model is beset by difficulties, the most obvious being the paucity of data on women's work. There is no universally valid method of measuring gender bias, the manifestations of which vary. The Institute of Social Studies Trust, New Delhi, in partnership with organisations in five other countries, is therefore embarking on a project to design an appropriate structural framework, to trace the genderised impact of macro policy change in the region.

The project has two components. The first involves scanning all major conventional indicators of gender bias - social economic, demographic and political - from available large scale surveys and censuses. The focus will be on 'mapping' these indicators to discern distinct patterns of association under different contexts. It is hoped that this will provide a better understanding of the dynamics of gender balance in society. The aim is to go beyond analysis of conventional indicators of gender bias and look into the implications of changes in external environments by tracing their impact on 'not-so-conventional' indicators such as gender-related stress, anxiety, and violence. Two background papers will be prepared and a gender modelling exercise will be carried out at the regional level. Fax ISST fax 91-11-4648724 email isstdel@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in

Women’s Participation

A report entitled ‘Participation of Women in Household Work and other Specified Activities in Karnataka’ released by the Government of Karnataka, highlights some interesting trends with respect to women and work in the state. A significant number of women were found to be engaged in ‘household economic activities’. Rural women are found to be more active than urban women in household economic activities. Most women who are involved in household economic activities reported on the need for working capital or better access to credit. A majority of women, particularly in rural areas, preferred part-time work to full-time work.

The findings are based on a sample survey, which covered the entire State, including interviews of over fourteen thousand persons in urban and rural areas. The report recommends the provision of support to women as a means to establish structural and functional linkages between the informal and formal sectors. Contact: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore.

WOMEN'S POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT STUDY

Research by SEARCH, a Bangalore-based NGO has attempted to understand women's political empowerment by way of understanding their achievements and constraints arising at personal, familial and institutional levels.

The study is the outcome of collaboration with the department of Women and Child Development, Government of Karnataka, to strengthen women's role in local governance. Also, the data collected through 105 in-depth case studies of gram panchayat members.

A charter of demands based on the study was prepared earlier this year and presented to the Chief Minister's Office. Contact: SEARCH on (fax) 91-80-663536; see also SEARCH BULLETIN in the 'Journals Summary' Section of the DIU website www.devinit.org

REPORT ON THE STATUS OF RURAL WOMEN IN KARNATAKA

A research project by the Women's Policy and Research Unit (WOPRA) of the National Institute of Advanced Studies looks into various aspects of women's access and control over resources, physical mobility, sexuality and other areas that are not often researched.

The project is part of a wider analysis of how panchayati raj institutions influence women's status in society. It utilises a distinctive participatory methodology including consultation with different NGOs from across the state, collation of available secondary data and a detailed household survey conducted in six regionally representative districts.

At present, WOPRA is using the findings outlined in a report of the study to initiate a state-wide advocacy process with parallel interventions at the grassroots and the state-level.

The study has also revealed certain lacunae in the available secondary data and WOPRA is making plans to make the data collected through the survey available to other researchers. Contact: WOPRA on (fax) 91-80-3346634

ON THE TRAIL OF THE GIRL CHILD

As part of the Media Fellowships Programme of the National Foundation of India, two young journalists have followed and documented the situation of numerous girls working in unorganised sectors like rag-picking, sugarcane fields, agarbatti or beedi production units, carpet factories and others. Contact: NFI on (fax) 91-11-464 1867 or Books for Change, Bangalore on (fax) 91-80-5586284

CAN NGOs BE FUNDED FOREVER?

The outcome of an extensive consultative research process in the four Southern Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu is now available in a book form.

The consultation drew together over 500 individuals from about 200 organisations and 15 donor agencies over a period of two years. Titled 'Life goes on', the final output document provides an enquiry into the expectation and implications of the withdrawal of NGO support to community development programmes. It includes several 'good practice' illustrations and practical suggestions for NGOs, donors and others. Contact: Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action, Bangalore Consultancy Office on (fax) 91-80-6633538

A PEOPLES' ATLAS

A team from the Jawaharlal University, New Delhi and the University of Durham, UK has recently brought out an atlas which, through easy to follow maps provides basic demographic information about men and women in India. It includes information such as the average size of households in different parts of the country, how many women and girls comprise the working force, the number of women among paid rural workers, the number of males who can read and write, etc.

The maps also graphically demonstrate the link between low female literacy, early marriages, higher fertility rates and poverty. The Atlas is published by Kali for Women with support from the DFID. Contact: Kali for Women on (fax) 91-11-6852530

MILLENNIUM CENSUS

Conducting a census in a country the size of India is a major challenge. The next census, coming at the millennium will provide important benchmark data on the state of the nation's society, demography and economy. Over two million enumerators will work for three weeks all over the country simultaneously - once in 2000 and once in 2001.

The India Census 2001 will be the fourteenth in an uninterrupted series of decennial national censuses of India. Discussions are underway to make the census more sensitive to social development issues. Innovations include the addition of questions concerning the aged. The idea being with more people living longer, this information will prove useful in formulating a viable policy for the aged. A website provides an overview of the census. www.censusindia.net

INDIA ON THE WEB

The British Council in collaboration with One World Online (a UK-based website) has recently launched a website with news and information on poverty and development in India. The broad purpose of this initiative is to address the problems faced by researchers, policy-makers and development practitioners in accessing information on development in India. It has links to over 1000 development agencies in the country.

The website includes four main databases: a database of organisations, a project database, a database of key documents and a statistics database. Other features include a discussion forum, free web service space for development agencies and a development news service. In keeping with the objective of the initiative, the Indev Team is also training development agencies in internet usage. Future plans include production of an email digest and printed reports for those who do not have access to the internet. The internet address is: www.indev.nic.in Also see agriculture website and millenium census website above.

INDIA'S NORTH EASTERN STATES

Analytical accounts of development trends in North-East India i.e. the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, are limited. A significant percentage of the population in these states belongs to tribal communities, living in remote areas and speaking several different languages and dialects. The lack of good communication systems coupled with widespread violence and insurgency has further limited the scope of development interventions.

'Sanjoy's Assam' a collection of the essays of Sanjoy Ghose - a much admired NGO worker and activist who was captured by a militant group last year, does much to shed light on the development problems in these states. The essays are based on author's experience of working with the people of Majuli, the world's largest river island located in Assam. They provide an NGO perspective on development in the North East and catalogue a range of problem such as the extent of land erosion and environmental degradation, the poor response of the government agencies to disaster and conflict management, exploitation of local communities by contractors and middlemen, lack of health, education and employment facilities, etc. The essays are published by Penguin India.

ANDHRA PRADESH DEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT

The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has recently released its VISION 2020 document - a comprehensive report that covers a range of issues and activities required to promote growth and development in the state.

The report was put together by the Andhra Pradesh Government in consultation with McKinsey and Company, Inc. It is the result several Vision 2020 Task Forces set up for this purpose, along with inputs from national and international industry and policy groups, industry federations and World Bank reports.

The report is organised in three main sections. The first on 'building capacities' covers aspects such as poverty eradication, social welfare, education, urban growth, rural community development and building infrastructure. The second focuses on high potential sectors like agriculture, rice production, dairy production and development, poultry, horticulture, fisheries, agro-industries, construction industry, garments, fisheries and the development of a premier IT centre. The concluding section emphasises the need for making state governance people-centred and growth-oriented and raising needed funds and resources.

A welcome feature of the report is that is that it is intended as a draft plan which will revised based on feedback received from the public. Contact: Vision 2020 Swarna Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh Government, Hyderabad 500 022, India.

SOCIETAL LEARNING

SHIKSHANTAR a recently established applied research institute working in the areas of lifelong societal learning and sustainable, just and people-centred development is interested in sharing a process- project concept paper on the core concepts underlying societal learning. The paper focuses on informal, dynamic learning 'spaces' such as extended families, peer groups, work environments, professional associations, communication media, religious centres, natural recreation spots, and other socio-cultural meeting places. Contact: Shikshantar on (email) vidhib@yahoo.com

RURAL DEVELOPMENT- SOUTH ASIA

The World Bank has launched a South Asia Rural Development Series of publications in collaboration with Allied Publishers of New Delhi. The series examines both country-specific and cross-regional issues pertaining to rural development in South Asia. Initially, the focus will be on examining the impact of the Uruguay round on agricultural trade and pricing policy. Over time, the series will grow to include either regional or country specific issues. Contact: Allied Publishers 13/14 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi 110 002 on (tel) 91-11-3239001, 323 3003. Information on the South Asia Rural Development Series is also available on the World Bank's website on www.worldbank.org

REPRODUCTIVE AND CHILD HEALTH

In 1997, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Government launched a new reproductive and child health programme, distinctive for its emphasis on quality and the need for client-centred services. It includes several measures to decentralise control of programmes in the area of reproductive and child health.

As a follow-up, the South and East Asia Office of the Population Council in New Delhi has released a book on implementing the reproductive health agenda. The book is organised around three broad themes: implementing the reproductive health policy, reaching marginalised population groups and addressing reproductive health problems. It includes contributions from scholars as well as practitioners highlighting several key issues of relevance to policy and programming. An order form can be downloaded from the internet www.popcouncil.org

LEGAL PERSPECTIVES

Among the several problems faced by the girl child in India, female infanticide and foeticide have received little attention from practitioners and researchers. A research paper prepared by the National Law School of India University, Bangalore in association with the University Centre for the Child and the Law examines the problems in the existing legal framework on female infanticide and foeticide.

The first part of the paper deals with the problem, its causes and extent and is compiled entirely from secondary sources. The second part covers the legislative history, a brief description of the legal regime on the issues, followed by an analysis of law and suggested areas for law reform. Efforts of the government, in the form of supportive schemes have also been discussed.The authors have also proposed amendments in the law on female foeticide. Contact: Centre for Child and the Law email ccl@nls.ernet.in or fax 91-80-3217858.

RURAL BANKS FOR THE POOR

Regional rural banks, established during the 1970s as a means to extend banking facilities to the rural poor, have met with considerable criticism over the years. A recent study commissioned by the Swiss Development Corporation, which has funded an organisational development intervention to improve the financial health of these banks, reveals some marked improvements in their productivity. Measures such as increased employee participation, systematic customer contact and introduction of new products suited for rural markets were linked to this.

SOCIAL CAPITAL IN DRYLAND AREAS

Rural families in Rajasthan, India, have been adapting their livelihoods for over a generation to help create a buffer against the risk of poverty and hunger that overshadows people living in dryland areas. Recent research by IDS Sussex and IDS Jaipur highlights the role of social capital in addressing the problems faced by poor communities in dryland areas. The study suggests that widening access to social capital is one way to help poor families 'get on' rather than just 'get by'.

FOOD SECURITY AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Books for Change, Bangalore has recently published an insight into the knowledge base of rural people. Entitled 'Food for Thought', the book is based on the experiences of some 15 organisations in 10 countries. It hopes to stimulate development agencies to take indigenous knowledge seriously. It draws conclusions about the holistic nature, strength and limitations of this knowledge and describes how different organisations are supporting rural people in carrying out practical experiments based on local concepts. A framework for such on-farm experiments and ideas on a methodology for supporting endogenous development are also included. Contact Books for Change on (fax) 91-80-5586284

INDIA'S ENVIRONMENT

The Citizen's Fifth Report has been published by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Contact: CSE on (fax) 91-11-6985879 or (email) cse@cseindia.org

JUST GROWTH OR GROWTH THAT IS JUST?

Also available from CSE, are the proceedings of a previously held conference on environmental economics in India. The book includes essay by Tushaar Shah, Anil Markhandya, Wolfgang Sachs, Sixto Roxas, etc. Contact: CSE on (fax) 91-11-6985879 or (email) cse@cseindia.org

IT & POVERTY

Communication specialists and media practitioners from different Asian and Pacific countries will be convening in Chennai in July 99 to discuss the role that information technologies play in alleviating poverty in the region. The conference will also look at strategies to address the economic slowdown and the increasing competition that has spawned new media products and services in the region.

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