-Live Mint Almost two decades after the Panchayati Raj Act was notified, a key aim of the legislation remains unfulfilled Papapatti/Madurai district: S. Muruganadam, 38, is the Dalit president of the Papapatti village panchayat in Madurai district and a post-graduate in political science. His term ends in 2016 and he has made up his mind not to run for re-election. "I think a panchayat president's post is an important post because only he...

-The Economic Times Successful implementation of the food Security Bill will leave more savings in the hands of rural and urban below poverty line (BPL) households, enabling them to spend on health, education and nutritious food, a study said on Monday. The implementation of the food Security Bill could also generate additional savings of around Rs 4,400 this year for every beneficiary household in some states, the report said. The savings would arise...

-Outlook New Delhi: Around one lakh poor families have been given free LPG cylinders and gas stoves under an ambitious scheme launched by the Delhi Government to end use of kerosene which often does not reach the intended beneficiaries. "More than one lakh people have been provided LPG connection with cylinder and gas stoves so far under the Kerosene Free Delhi Scheme," food and Supplies Minister Harun Yusuf told reporters. The scheme...

-The United Nations The United Nations today launched the Zero Hunger Challenge in Asia and the Pacific, calling on governments, farmers, scientists, business, civil society and consumers to work together to end hunger in the region where the majority of the world's undernourished people live. "Sustainable development and inclusive growth will not happen on empty stomachs," said Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the...

-The United Nations The implementation of social protection measures can play a key role in rescuing minors from occupational bondage, a new report by the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) has found. According to the World Report on Child Labour, varying types of social protection measures such as cash transfer schemes, social health protection and providing income security in old age, can help reduce the number of children around the world...