How PPP model can propel Punjab’s economic growth

Originally published in The Tribune Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have the potential to revolutionise infrastructure development, and services delivery by blending private sector capital and expertise with public sector oversight. For Punjab, which has over 147 PPP projects worth ₹59,358 crore in critical sectors like roads, bridges, healthcare, and education, this model could be the key […]

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Debt Shadows: Punjab’s ‘Democracy before Development’ Paradox 

Inspired by the insights of economists like Böhm-Bawerk and von Mises on capital’s role at the intersection of economics and finance, a compelling framework for understanding fiscal challenges takes shape. This approach encourages synergies in economic decision-making and accounting practices, while also treating money as a social institution. When applied to Punjab’s fiscal crisis (a […]

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Why the ball is in Punjab’s court

Originally published on Babushahi.com Punjab is traditionally known for producing both, leading sportsmen and sports equipment. Sports like Kabaddi and Weightlifting originated in the “akhadas” of Punjab. From shuttlecocks and footballs to cricket bats, Jalandhar has developed as the epicenter of sports production in India. The recently concluded 2024 Olympics saw one of the highest […]

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The Agricultural Crisis in Punjab: A Behavioural Economics Perspective

Punjab’s agricultural crisis is a ticking time bomb that threatens the very foundations of the state’s economy and the well-being of its people. As water tables plummet and soil fertility declines, the once-thriving breadbasket of India — Punjab — is now on the brink of an environmental and humanitarian disaster. An examination of Punjab’s agricultural […]

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Powered by the sun

Originally published in The Telegraph In a bid to accelerate the adoption of solar energy across residential and commercial uses nationally, the Government of India recently declared its intent to hire and train nearly one lakh individuals for the installation process. This is in line with the Government’s larger mission of encouraging adoption of solar […]

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Punjab’s Urban Policy Needs a Shake-Up

Originally published in the Hindu BusinessLine In May, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs convened a two-day brainstorming session to review the status of urban planning and governance across India. Recognising that urban development is primarily a state responsibility, it becomes essential to study state-specific issues for nuanced policy deliberations. Thus, we turn our […]

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Powering Punjab’s Agriculture: Navigating the Dynamics of Energy-Water Interplay

Energy, groundwater, and agriculture are intricately linked, each influencing the other in significant ways. This interdependence is crucial for sustainable development, resource management, and food security. A reliable and efficient energy source can optimize groundwater usage, but the provision of highly subsidized or nearly free electricity for agriculture has long been a key concern in […]

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Addressing the systemic lock-in within Punjab’s agricultural system

“Punjab, as an agricultural region, plays a pivotal role in the nation’s food security, primarily through its dominant rice-wheat cropping system. Covering over 80% of its cultivated land, this intensive farming practice has contributed 21% of India’s rice and 31% of its wheat production during 2021-22, despite occupying a mere 1.5% of the country’s geographical […]

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The Canadian Dream: No Alternative to the One Way Ticket?

A Tuition Market: An Alarm Bell One of the markets in Ludhiana, the largest city of Punjab, has a strangely funny name: Tuition market. A significant proportion of the “market” is filled with coaching centres – training students mostly in IELTS, in addition to competitive exams such as JEE and NEET. Another similar site in […]

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Reforms for a tech-forward Punjab & Haryana High Court: Identifying challenges

Originally published in the Bar and Bench “Proposals for structural reforms within state/administrative institutions have disproportionately prioritised the executive and legislative branches, neglecting the imperative for commensurate attention to judicial administration. It is opportune to redress this imbalance by advocating for similar efficiency reforms within the judicial domain, especially digital.” Resisting the allure of ‘isomorphic […]

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