Land Registration vis-a-vis Inheritance Disputes: The Case of Menz Gera Midir District, Amhara State, Ethiopia

In addition to securing property rights and agricultural development, land registration and certification has been perceived as an important means for reducing inheritance disputes. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of rural land registration and certification program in reducing inheritance disputes in Menz Gera Midir District in Amhara State. Data for this study were collected through questionnaire, case studies, interview of farmers and experts of the court and focus group discussions. About three hundred households were taken as sample population for the questionnaire. A total of three hundred eight households were participated in the focus group discussions. About thirty five individuals were interviewed. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively; whereas data collected through focus group discussions, case studies and interviews were compiled, summarized and interpreted qualitatively by cross checking with responses of questionnaires. The findings of this study confirm that in Menz Gera Midir District rural land registration and certification reduced inheritance disputes. Keywords: Rural land registration and certification, bequeath, inheritance, inheritance dispute

Tax Assignment: Theory Nexus Practice in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ethiopia and Switzerland: Review

This paper is aimed to see the extent of match/mismatch of theory and practice in countries Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Germany and Ethiopia. There is a big discrepancy between what the theory suggest and what the practice shows the ground realities in the selected countries. None of these countries fully meet the principle forwarded by either theory. However, as compared to others, the practice of tax assignment in Canada, Switzerland and Ethiopia by far are close to the theory in terms of regional tax autonomy and determining specific tax rate and administration. On the contrary, Germany has a more centralized and uniform tax system where the power of Lander governments merely assigned to collect their own and the federal tax

Land Registration vis-a-vis Land Management: The Case of Gishe Rabel District, Amhara State, Ethiopia

Land registration and certification has been alleged as a prerequisite for securing property rights which is vital for sustainable land management and agricultural development.  The objective of this study was to investigate the role of land registration and certification program in assuring sustainable land management in Gishe Rabel District, in Amhara State of Ethiopia. Data for this study were collected through questionnaire, interview of farmers and experts in the field and focus group discussions. About five hundred and forty households were taken as sample population for the questionnaire. A total of one hundred and sixty eight households participated in the focus group discussions. The number of participants for interview was sixty. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively; whereas the data collected through focus group discussions and interviews were compiled, summarized and interpreted qualitatively by cross checking with the responses of questionnaires. The findings of this study show that in Gishe Rabel District rural land registration and certification program assured sustainable land management. Keywords: land registration, certification, tenure security investment, land management

Health and Decentralization: The Case of Gozamin District, Amhara State, Ethiopia

Decentralization is assumed to be an important tool for a quality health care service delivery.  The objective of the study was to assess the impacts of decentralization on the health care service delivery Gozamin District, Amhara State, Ethiopia. Primary data for this study were collected through questionnaire, interview, and focus group discussions. Whereas secondary data were collected from annual official health sector reports and documents. The analysis part was supported by legal and official documents. The findings of the study revealed that the  health care service accessibility and coverage of the District in terms of expansion of health care institutions has shown an improvement, and it reaches 100 percent. However, shortage of health personnel (midwifery, lab technician and pharmacy technician), shortage of finance for duty service and perdiem payment, and drugs shortage are the challenges of the District health care delivery system that affects the quality of the services. The costs of health care treatment is high as compared to the ability of most beneficiaries incomes, the free service scheme-which is very impressive were abused by kebele officials are the  challenges of Gozamin District health care service delivery system. Keywords: Decentralization, Health Care Service Delivery, health center, and health posts

Scenario of Present and Future of Solid Waste Generation in India: A Case Study of Delhi Mega City

Solid waste generation is the by-product of the Urbanization, rapid industrialization, population growth and migration from the country side. It is commonly considered as an Urban Issue. It is highly related with Economic growth, degree of industrialization and consumption pattern and lavish lifestyle of urbanites.   On one hand more generation of Solid Waste indicate the economic development but on the other it increases environmental stresses. Solid Waste generation and management is a burning issue all over the world and the planners and policy formulators are finding it extremely difficult to handle this problem mainly because of haphazard and unchecked urbanization. Solid Waste contributes 3% of total Green House Gases Emission Globally, which are culprit for Global Warming and Climate Change. Huge amount of Solid Waste generation and their improper management worsen the air quality in the cities which ultimately affect the human health severely.The problem of Municipal Solid waste management is much more acute environmental problems in mega cities like Delhi where land available for landfill sites is scarce. Agricultural land of Delhi has been grabbed by the unauthorized private colonizers and builders by changing the land use overnight. Delhi is the adobe of 14 million people out of which approximately half of the population (52%) population lives in slums and 1400 unauthorized colonies. In 2012, 900 colonies have been authorized or regularized providing bare minimum civic amenities.  In the present study, an attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive review of the present infrastructure available, the future requirements to manage Municipal Solid waste and the Organizations and agencies involved in it. The main aim of this paper is to quantify the present generation of Solid Waste and project the generation in future by projecting population growth in Delhi Mega City. This study will be proved to be an eye opener for the city planners, managers, stakeholders and different Organizations and agencies which are actively engaged in the Management of this “Urban Menace”. Keywords: Solid Waste, Urbanization, Population, Green House Gases (GHGs

The Status of District level of Government in Amhara State, Ethiopia: From the perspective of primary health care service delivery

The existence of district level government was constitutionally recognized at regional level with legislative, executive and judicial power so as to make law centered on in its particular jurisdiction, enforce and adjudicate local cases with first instance court level respectively. They are also empowered to rendered important social services such as education, health, road and water etc for their electorate. Practically speaking, however, the kind of law they make need strict observance of the law of the upper levels of government and the quality and quantity of services they render are largely determined by the available funds they received from the above. Since they have limited resource availability, they could not provide and meet the intended objectives of decentralization in Ethiopia. Regardless of this fact, district level of government have entrusted health care service delivery related powers and responsibilities for instance, Undertake Building of HCs and health posts, health workers recruitment, provide in-service training and promotion to the health workers, management and Supervision of health institutions, and collect user fee and finance health institutions are given to the district government in Amhara state. Keywords: District Government, Health Center, Health post, Health Care Servic

Disability Vis-a-Vis Micro and Small Scale Enterprises The Case of Menbere-Mariam Saving and Credit Association, Debrebirhan, Ethiopia

Though micro and small scale enterprises are energetic and vibrant economic sectors which have the largest potential for job creation, access of vocational training, and hiring of persons with disabilities in these enterprises is low. The study examined the challenges of access to training and employment of persons with disabilities in micro and small scale enterprises in Debrebirhan town in the case of Menbere-Mariam saving and credit association. To realize the objective, data collection methods like in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and key informants interviews were used. Purposive sampling method was applied for the study.  The study employed the qualitative method of analysis. Document analysis was used to examine various aspects of the association’s experience of disability. The results of the study reveal that despite the wide range of protection under international, regional, and national laws, vocational training and employment access of persons with disabilities is a problem in the study area. Among the challenges they face are: absence of vocational training, attitudinal related challenges, institutional related barriers, employers related problems, guarantee related problems, barriers linked to project area and shop booths, lose of profit and health problems and problem with provision of infrastructure. Keywords: Disability, Employment, Micro and Small Scale, Enterprises, Vocational Training

Evaluation of Growth of Motor Vehicles Fleet and Ambience Air Quality in India

Increasing Vehicular population and deteriorating quality of air is the by-product of rapid growth of population in India. Undoubtedly on one hand transport sector plays a significant role in the overall development of a nation's economy, but on the other this sector accounts for a substantial and growing proportion of air pollution also. The urban expansion, industrialization, lack of services, energy and transport demands are leading to a vicious cycle of pollution. According to the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the main sources of emission are energy (26%), transport (18%), industry (19%) and buildings (10%) are the main sources of emissions. The road traffic accounts for about 80% of the passenger traffic and 60% of the goods. For vehicular motors emits various pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitric-oxide, carbon dioxide and several organic compounds which are responsible for the deterioration of the environment. In developing countries like India especially, increasing demand for private vehicles is outpacing the supply of transport infrastructure – including both road networks and public transit networks. The result is growing congestion and air pollution. The transport sector in India consumes about 16.9% fossil fuel based energy sources. The aim of this paper is to focus on the state wise emissions of variety of pollutants and asses the quality of air, using region specific mass emission factors for each type of vehicles. Keywords- Transport, Quality of air, Industrialization, Development, Greenhouse gas (GHG

Transport and Ambience Air Quality in Metro Cities of India

Increasing Vehicular population and deteriorating quality of air is the by-product of rapid growth of population and haphazard urbanization in India. The urban population in India has increased significantly from 62 million in 1951 to 285 million in 2001 and is estimated to grow to 540 million by the year 2021. In terms of percentage of total population, the urban population has gone up from 17% in 1951 to 29% in 2001 and is expected to increase up to around 37% by the year 2021. About 55 million vehicles were playing on Indian roads in 2001. The annual growth rate of motor vehicle population in India has been about 10% during the decade (1991-2001), It is seen that two wheelers are growing faster than cars. The basic problem is not the number of vehicles in the country but their concentration in a few selected cities, particularly in metropolitan cities. It is alarming to note that 32 percent of all vehicles are plying in metropolitan cities alone; these cities constitute about 11 percent of country’s total urban population. During the year 2000, more than 6.3 million vehicles were plying in mega cities, which constitute more than 13 percent of all motor vehicles in the country. Mumbai is carrying the highest vehicles compared with other mega cities. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Nagpur, Pune show a vehicle growth higher than the mega cities like Delhi, Kolkata etc., presently.  Undoubtedly on one hand transport sector plays a significant role in the overall development of a nation's economy, but on the other this sector accounts for a substantial and growing proportion of air pollution also. The urban expansion, industrialization, lack of services, energy and transport demands are leading to a vicious cycle of pollution. The main aim of this paper is to analyze air pollution caused by increasing number of vehicles and its effect on the environment at present and in future by projecting the number of vehicles and emission load. It also deals with the planning measures that should be adopted in India to solve the problem of increasing vehicular pollution. Keywords: Transportation, Environment, Pollutants, Emission, Developmen

Factor Mobility Nexus Regional Competition: Switzerland in Focus

Regions or countries inter in to competition between or among themselves having an aspiration of improving their jurisdiction through attracting potential firms and labors towards their country by means of reducing tax burdens imposed upon firms and overlooking environmental and other related issues. The aims this paper is to explore the essential elements that are responsible for inter-regional growth disparities and brought an intense competition between or among regions of a nation. And attempts are also done to address the question like: why factors of productions move from one place to another; and what effect does it brings for the development of inter-regional inequalities. Besides, the theoretical and conceptual explanation of factor mobility and the underlying reason responsible for the mobility of factors of productions across and within a country, the practice  of factor mobility and inter-cantonal competition with particular emphasis of Switzerland confederation  which is the oldest federation with extended autonomous of sub-national unities), and measures being taken by the confederal government to redress the ‘race to bottom effect- unproductive and imperfect tax competition’ among cantons are also discussed in detail. Keywords: Factor mobility, revenue equalization, cost equalization, regional competition, tax harmonizatio