-DNA   The state government on Monday took strong objection to Union rural development minister Vilasrao Deshmukh’s statement about irregularities in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the state. State government spokespersons Jaynarayan Vyas and Saurabh Patel described Deshmukh’s allegations as baseless. “Gujarat’s record in implementation of projects for the rural poor is impeccable. It has been lauded by the Planning Commission and experts,” they said. Reacting to Deshmukh’s...

-DNA   Following reports of a three-year-old receiving remuneration in Kutch under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the central government will probe into corruption in implementation of the Act in Gujarat. This was informed by Union minister for rural development and panchayati raj, Vilasrao Deshmukh on Sunday. Deshmukh also threatened to cut short Union government's fund if the state government fails to take appropriate action to stem the...

-PTI   Jharkhand PCC today welcomed the Union rural development ministry's recommendation for CBI probe into two cases of murder, apparently related to corruption and wage demands in MGNREGA scheme. "There are numerous instances of corruption cases in MGNREGA schemes and the CBI probe will unearth them," PCC general secretary-cum-spokesperson Sailesh Sinha said here. "The recommendation has come as a deterrent to the authorities, who are responsible to implement schemes under MGNREGA," he...

Allegation that Ansari was killed by Naxalites is a ploy: report NEW DELHI: Debunking claims of the Jharkhand government, the Union Ministry of Rural Development has called for a CBI inquiry into the murder of whistle-blower Niyamat Ansari charging that there was an attempt to cover up the murder. It called for “serious action” against Latehar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rahul Purwar for alleged dereliction of duty and failure to prevent funds...

-The Economic Times,    The BJP today demanded a thorough probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into all corruption cases in Orissa. "All scams that have taken place during the 11-year-rule of Naveen Patnaik should be investigated thoroughly by SIT," BJP's national secretary Kirit Somaya told reporters after releasing a chargesheet against the state government. SIT should be formed to probe scams relating to MGNREGA, dal scandal, mining, water, cheating of farmers,...