Neera Bali

live and let live!

[Governance Now @governancenow]

When algorithms decide and children die
Neera Bali of @PahleIndia presents the case for governing AI in warfare

https://t.co/GyjvV6mefF

[Chief Secretary, Assam @CSAssam_]

As envisioned by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. @himantabiswa, I held a significant meeting with senior-most officials from the Departments of Economics and Statistics, Transformation and Development, Finance, Agriculture, and Industry, along with the visiting delegation from Pahle India Foundation (PIF), New Delhi, to review the progress of the District Domestic Product (DDP) Estimation Project.

Pursuant to the MoU signed on 28th June 2023, between the Government of Assam and PIF, the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES) has undertaken this important initiative to strengthen the accuracy and relevance of district-level economic data. The project is designed to move from the existing top-down approach to a bottom-up methodology, which captures economic activity at the grassroots level, ensuring equitable growth and improved policy planning.

The project is being implemented in three phases, and completed the first phase:

• Phase I (Planning & Methodology Development):

A detailed study of the existing methodology was carried out through a series of discussions and workshops in consultation with DES, District Commissioners, line departments at the HQs, and in six (6) pilot districts. Based on this, a new bottom-up methodology for district-level estimation has been developed.

Additionally, PIF has also submitted a new methodology for compilation of DDP.

• Phase II (Surveys & Data Collection):

Labour Force Survey (LFS), Survey of Unincorporated Enterprises (SUSE), and Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) will be undertaken across all 35 districts, along with the collection of 23 additional economic indicators. This comprehensive survey approach will strengthen district-level data accuracy and address major gaps in the current methodology, which so far relies heavily on allocations from state and national data.

• Phase III (District Vision Documents):

Based on the survey outcomes, district-wise Vision Documents will be prepared, incorporating the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) identified during the Phase II survey, to ensure continuity in policy implementation and provide a roadmap for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Drawing from best practices such as those adopted in pilot studies in Uttar Pradesh, this initiative will enable the identification of micro-level economic activities and provide more accurate estimates of district-wise per capita income.

A key highlight of today’s meeting was the decision to utilize GST data for the calculation of GSDP, which will provide more accurate and timely estimates. A nodal officer will also be notified to coordinate regularly with the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Central Goods & Services Tax and Customs, Guwahati, for smooth data sharing and integration.

The Government of Assam’s collaboration with PIF marks a significant step toward strengthening fiscal federalism, identifying district-level growth drivers, and building a robust foundation for evidence-based planning and development across the state.

@CMOfficeAssam
@GoIStats
@cgstcusgau
@PahleIndia

[Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI @PrinSciAdvOff]

@RajivKumar1, Founder & Chairman,@PahleIndia and team called on the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India(@PrinSciAdvGoI), Prof. @AjaySoodIISc and Scientific Secretary Dr. Parvinder Maini, to present about PIF’s project on natural farming. The project in partnership with Sattva Foundation, tests natural farming as a potent tool for carbon removal from the environment.

They discussed the project's application across policy support, carbon sequestration, health outcomes, farmers’ incomes, effect on fiscal subsidies and its alignment with India’s food security goals. Dr. @Sangeet17658802, Scientist F, from OPSA, also attended the meeting.

[AIIMS Nagpur @AIIMSNagpur]

AIIMS Nagpur signs an MoU with @PahleIndia to assess lead exposure in children across India

📍The MoU was formally signed by Exec. Director, AIIMS Nagpur, Dr @Prashant_PJoshi and Director, Programmes and Partnerships, @PahleIndia Foundation, Dr Ishan Joshi on 03.07.25

📍The study will be conducted in collaboration with 7 AIIMS, @AIIMSRaipur @aiims_patna @aiims_jodhpur @mangalAiimsAP @AiimsBibinagar @AiimsKalyani

[Neera Bali @BaliNeera]

@urvashi01 @LSHTM_Alumni @NISAU_UK @birminghamalum Congratulations Urvashi, much deserved 👏👏

[DD India @DDIndialive]

WATCH || Dr Indu Bhushan (@ibhushan), Chair, India Working Group on Lead Poisoning and former head, National Health Authority, Government of India, led the first International Convening on "Lead Poisoning in India: Status, Challenges, and Way Forward." He emphasized the mission to eliminate lead poisoning in India by 2040.

@tapasjournalist

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

Anjali Acharya, Senior Environmental Specialist from @WorldBank talked about 'Financing Lead Toxicity Mitigation'. She highlighted providing financing through sectoral projects with lead remediation co-benefits.
#IndiaLeadThreat

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, New Delhi underscored the imperative of engaging with the Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Jal Shakti to address the rising industrial exposures to institute preventive measures.
#IndiaLeadThreat

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

Panel 5 of the International Convening, moderated by PIF Exec Director @RaviPokharna will see Mr Luigi D'Aquino, Dr M Srinivas, @harkeshsdabas , Mr LM Singh, Dr Sutapa Bandyopadhyay and Dr Monoranjan Mohanty discuss innovations to tackle the issue.

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

Honored to have Prof. Philip J. Landrigan deliver Keynote Address at International Convening at 5 PM IST, 27th August.

His research played a key role in the US govt. phasing out lead from gasoline in 1970s.

To listen in, register on https://t.co/jBGQ2AHHvg

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

Dr @RajivKumar1, Chairman of @PahleIndia (PIF) spoke about the importance of acknowledging lead poisoning in India, at the International Convening on ‘Lead Poisoning in India: Status, Challenges and Way Forward’.

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

Session 2 saw an insightful discussion with speakers, RS Dhaliwal from @ICMRDELHI, Debanjana Choudhary from @PureEarthIndia, Vikas Kapil from @CGDev, Dr Santasabuj Das from @NIOH and Dipa Singh Bagai from @NRDC_India, moderated by Ankita Srivastava, Associate Fellow at PIF.

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

5. PIF-IPE Global report Assessing the Knowledge and Practices Regarding Lead Toxicity Among Healthcare Professionals in Jharkhand.
#India #IndiaLeadThreat #LeadPoisoning

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

2. PIF report on Indian & Global Legal Frameworks on Lead Poisoning
3. Study on Understanding the Informal Used Lead Acid Battery or ULAB Recycling Ecosystem
4. Our Knowledge Partner for this Convening, Vital Strategies’ report on Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance in Bihar.

[Rajiv Kumar @RajivKumar1]

Back to using sails on ships to cut down on emissions. A company has successfully tested the use of massive sails, hoisted 300 feet above the sea level and reduces emissions by 20% (courtesy Nice news)⁦@nitin_gadkari⁩ ⁦@JM_Scindia⁩ ⁦@kvijayraghavan⁩

[Ravi Pokharna @RaviPokharna]

Beyond the GST debate, there is an urgent need for Govt and Industry to work together on developing a de-addiction infrastructure, conduct studies to ascertain the expanse of challenge and plan mitigation efforts.

@ShraiyaPant and I highlight the challenge and share some suggestions in this context, in this oped published in the Hindu Business Line!

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

Our sincere gratitude to all the participants of the @NSEIndia -PIF Seminar on Gender Equality at India Inc.
Special thanks to our panellists Ms. Monica Agrawal, Prof. Premalatha, Ms. Rajkamal Vempati and Mr. Ashwini Saxena for sharing their insights with us.

[Pahlé India Foundation @PahleIndia]

PIF is honoured and excited for this opportunity to work with the Assamese government on DDP @CMOfficeAssam

https://t.co/AcUXd41WGt

@RajivKumar1 @RaviPokharna

[Ravi Pokharna @RaviPokharna]

Gig workers are playing an important role in the Indian economy today.

@sakshiabrawl and I have tried to make a case for extending social security cover for Gig workers. Do read.

@nsitharaman @FinMinIndia @FinancialXpress @RajivKumar1

[Ravi Pokharna @RaviPokharna]

A balanced short report on Online Gaming Industry :It’s potential and Challenges,from @aloke_priya

Features my 5 sec intervention as well :)

@Rajeev_GoI