-Down to Earth Zero funds to Bengal, Lakshadweep this year, Centre admits in parliament; activists ask to use pre-existing mechanisms to handle graft Millions of workers employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) have not received wages for months. Workers from West Bengal are especially affected, with 13.2 million people unpaid for seven months.  Bengal is the only state that received no funds under the 100-day work scheme in...

-The Hindu ‘Act gives preference to father over mother’ A mother and father should have equal rights as guardians of their children and the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act (HMGA), 1956 should be amended as it discriminates against women, a parliamentary panel has recommended in its report. "The said Act does not provide for joint guardianship nor does it recognise the mother as the guardian of the minor legitimate child unless the father...

-The Telegraph Edutech is the white flour and refined sugar of learning The economic downturn caused by Covid-19 was the making of one class of business: the edutech industry. The closedown of schools created a need to teach students remotely. The electronic mode was the only possible means. But the way it was adopted prompts deep misgivings. I am actively involved with computer applications in teaching and research. The promise held out by...

-Press note by NREGA Sangharsh Morcha dated August 4, 2022 On the final day of the 3-day dharna, despite heavy rains, hundreds of mazdoors from 15 states stayed on at Jantar Mantar to continue raising their voices. Currently, 14 states are running a negative balance on NREGA funds, and 64 percent of the budget for this financial has already been spent. More than Rs. 6800 crores are due in wages to...

-IndiaToday.in Beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme are not seeking refills amid soaring prices of LPG cylinders. According to government data, over 50 per cent of beneficiaries sought four or less refills in the last financial year. The government’s poll trump card, the Ujjwala Yojna, faces a serious threat of losing ground as the rising price of the LPG cylinder has led to a drastic fall in the number of refills ordered by...