-Livemint.com World Bank report says combined effects of growing populations, rising incomes and expanding cities will see demand for water rising exponentially, while supply becomes more erratic and uncertain New delhi: Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, could cost some regions up to 6% of their gross domestic product (GDP), spur migration and spark conflict, said a report released by the World Bank on Tuesday. The report, High and dry: Climate change, water...

-The Hindu India’s record in collecting taxes has been pathetic, and it is getting worse. The declining rates of direct taxation are an indication of the political choices of the government We now have a peculiar combination in the economic policy of India: a declared attempt at fiscal consolidation, combined with a reluctance to do what it takes to raise tax revenues. This unfortunate juxtaposition has meant a squeeze on Central government...

-Livemint.com Ministries handling drinking water and sanitation, rural development, land resources, and urban development asked to take up an integrated action plan New delhi: Streamlining measures to tackle the drought in the country, the centre directed on Monday different ministries to release additional funds to states. Cabinet secretary P.K. Sinha directed the ministries—drinking water and sanitation, rural development, land resources and urban development—to take up an integrated action plan for optimally using...

-Livemint.com IMF points to problem with redistribution of incomes as high growth rates are not reducing inequality New delhi: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that both India and China face the social risk of growing inequality. By implication, it is suggesting that there is a problem with the redistribution of incomes in both these economies as high economic growth rates are not reducing inequality. In its regional economic outlook for Asia...

-NDTV Latehar, Jharkhand: Over a hundred letters, Rs. 5 enclosed in each of them, addressed to the Prime Minister's Office in delhi. The senders are the villagers in Jharkhand's Latehar, who say they could do without the Rs. 5 wage hike under MNREGA. In a season of drought, the Centre's increase of wages in Jharkhand -- from Rs. 162 to 167 a day - has added insult to injury, say the villagers....