-The Hindu   The United Progressive Alliance government has not delivered on its promise of bringing in legislation against communal violence. After initial talks, the Centre has fallen silent on the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill which needs speedy tabling, a panel comprising drafters of the legislation said at a meeting here on Friday. “Not just the leadership, but the executive too have failed to give...

The state government has finally swung into action to fight the outbreak of encepha-litis, but not before the death of 85 children. Health department principal secretary Amarjeet Sinha today said plans were afoot to set up paediatric Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANNMCH), Gaya and Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Muzaffarpur in the wake of the huge number of suspected Japanese encephalitis...

Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh has proposed social audits for the centre's big-ticket welfare programmes running under different ministries, on the lines of the scrutiny that he recently mandated for the flagship rural jobs scheme. "The concept has the potential to revolutionise the system. If we can have social audits for three-four major social sector schemes, it will change the way the country functions," Ramesh said. If the proposal is...

The all-crucial Below the Poverty Line (BPL) survey will not be completed ahead of the start of the 12th Five-Year Plan and consequently the execution of the promised food security entitlement, for which the government intends passing legislation in the coming Parliament session, will suffer. Following a review meeting with officials of all States here on Friday, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh admitted that the deadline for conducting the Socio Economic...

-IANS   Citing non-development as the main reason why Maoists are flourishing, union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh Saturday said the government needed to focus on growth, political dialogue and police action to tackle the guerrillas. "The Maoists and Naxals have flourished here because these areas have remained undeveloped for long. A lot needs to be done for the people there so that they get their basic needs. The key focus should be...