In-Pictures articles from the Economy pages

HYDRO POWER EXPANSION

Diminishing returns from large Hydro

Over the last ten years, hydropower installed capacity in India has gone up by over 8000 MW. But while generation from in 1994-5 was 82712 million units (MU), generation in 2003-4 was at 73775 MU, almost 9000 MU lower. The MU generated per MW installed hydro capacity recently dipped below 3 MU/MW.

September 2004

INCOME GROUPS

What is middle class?

The large-scale deprivation in India has a curious companion - a grossly incorrect understanding of what the term ‘middle class’ means. The median family income in India is approximately Rs.4500 a month. Still, many families well above this mark believe themselves to be members of the middle class.

August 2003

FAIR WAGES

Minimum wage laws and women

Landless labourers on their way to a government desilting site in Vijayanagaram, Andhra Pradesh. As everywhere else with manual labour in India, women’s wages are less than that of men, and neither group makes the legal minimum wage.

March 2003

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EARLIER IN-PICTURES FEATURES

• The cost of Dabhol power

• Poor market access in rural areas

• Behold the government project!