Dear Reader,

Prohibition in Bihar was implemented in April 2016 as part of an effort to curb alcoholism and improve the status of women, particularly by addressing rampant alcohol-induced domestic violence. However, prohibition has not gone as planned. Despite the law, illegal liquor trade persists, with over 280 deaths reported since the ban, as a consequence of illicitly brewed and poisonous alcohol. Bootleggers operate with impunity, often in collusion with law enforcement.

Rampant unemployment and multidimensional poverty in Bihar—where labour force participation is the lowest in India—have forced young men, especially from the poor and marginalised communities like the Musahars, to engage in bootlegging and join the alcohol mafia to earn a living. The state government, however, argues that prohibition has prevented over 2.1 million cases of domestic violence and led to improvements in health and nutrition. Article 14 reports from the ground on the efficacy of prohibition in Bihar from Siwan and Patna.

Pollution from construction is reported to be one of the leading causes of Delhi’s and NCR’s toxic air pollution. Last winter, as residents of the capital city struggled to breathe, Delhi's government placed restrictions on construction activities for nearly 50 days, up from around 26 days in 2023, in accordance with the Supreme Court-mandated Standardised Graded Response Action Plan of 2016. This seemingly band-aid response to deep structural issues unfortunately not only impacts NCR's citizens but also the construction workers in the capital, mostly migrants, over 5 lakh of whom are registered with the Delhi Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

The Migration Story visits labour ‘nakas’ in Noida—hubs where workers gather each morning to vie for a day's employment—to find that not only 5% to 30% of workers manage to secure jobs, but their wages have halved since last year. With most workers on daily wages with no formal employment records, compensation and relief from the state remain elusive—the invisible victims of the apathy and insensitivity of ad-hoc policymaking.

The Chambal Valley region of Madhya Pradesh is increasingly endangered by soil erosion caused by expanding ravines and riverbeds. Kalicharan Gurjar, a 50-year-old farmer from Deori village in the Morena district, was at the receiving end of the erosion and feared losing 15 bighas of his land. Until Guggal—an endangered gum plant native to Western India—came to his rescue.

The farmer planted 1,000 Guggal saplings along the boundaries of his farm, which not only halted soil erosion but also provided a secondary income as the resin was also used in Ayurvedic formulations. The plant, which faced extinction in the 1970s, is now being revived and promoted as a potent tool for stemming soil erosion, Ground Report finds.

Following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) challenging the opaque process of appointing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union Government on March 17.

The PIL cited The Probe’s investigative series, which exposed significant irregularities within the CAG office. The Probe’s founder-editor, Prema Sridevi, produced a three-part investigation in November 2024, presenting documentary evidence that revealed stalled critical audits, irregularities in filling vacant posts, and other administrative lapses within the CAG office. The Probe’s exposé had led to the suspension of a senior CAG officer earlier.

For more such stories from the grantees this week, please read on.

Warmly,

Sunil Rajshekhar
IPSMF