A timely reality check on public policies in the developing world, the Global Hunger Index 2010, (GHI) released by the International Food Policy Research Institute, reveals the disturbing fact that the number of hungry people in the world hovers around the one-billion mark. Although this year's estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organisation place the figure at 925 million, barely a year ago, at the height of the recession, “the...

This is with reference to the report “Centre to step in Rajasthan MNREGS wage row” (Oct. 10) which cites the Union Rural Development Ministry Secretary Mr. B.K. Sinha as stating that the State Government of Rajasthan will have to pay the prescribed wage rate under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act/Scheme (MGNREGA) to workers under MGNREGA. This has not communicated the Union Secretary's point of view correctly. The...

Despite recording robust economic growth over the last couple of decades and spending thousands of crores of rupees on subsidising foodgrain and other programmes aimed at improving the nation’s social indicators, India ranks a low 67 among 84 countries on the Global Hunger Index, 2010. The country has actually dropped two levels since last year on the index published jointly by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe and Concern...

The stance of the ministry of rural development stands null and void. At least, as far as officials of the state government are concerned. For most of them that the delegation of the Mazdoor Satyagrah met on Monday agreed in unison that it is unconstitutional to pay MGNREGA workers anything less that the minimum wages. However, officials expressed their inability to pay more and demanded the total component from the Centre. Recently,...

With the state government agreeing to increase the minimum wages by 35% with effect from January 1, the focus of the on-going Mazdoor Haq Yatra has now shifted to demands that even NREGA be given the minimum wages from the current freeze at Rs 100. The Yatra originated about a fortnight ago in the state demanding a rise in minimum wages and better implementation of NREGA. The Yatra is supported by...