-PTI Soaring inflation, high fuel cost, rising cost of education and health insurance premiums have eroded the real incomes of middle-class Indian families, with household savings rates dropping by a staggering 40 per cent in the last three years, says an Assocham survey. "Poor households are unable to maintain the consumption levels at current prices while middle income families find their purchasing power erode fast, thus having far less surplus money," Assocham...

-Economic and Political Weekly Despite being the third largest economy in the world by purchasing power party, the living standards of India's underprivileged citizens are probably among the worst in the world. Even its much poorer neighbours, such as Nepal and Bangladesh, have fared better in areas of health and social development. Please click here to download the article. ...

-Reuters Laws excluding daughters, widows from inheriting land still exist in some states, says the study New Delhi: Some Indian laws promote a preference for sons over daughters, the United Nations said on Thursday in a report that highlights the country's struggle to reverse a long-term decline in the number of girls. Bans on child marriage, pre-natal sex selection tests and dowries are poorly enforced, while laws excluding daughters and widows from...

-Frontline Mediocre access to health, education and job opportunities but significant political empowerment marks the pattern of women's lives in the subcontinent. The fifth annual gender gap index of the World Economic Form (WEF) finds India occupying the 101st position among 136 countries, way behind Bangladesh at 75 though ahead of Pakistan at 135. The index bases its rankings on its findings regarding how women fare in four areas - health, access...

-IANS New Delhi: The value of assets owned by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit grew over 40% in the last five years, up to Rs18 million, according to an affidavit submitted by her Thursday. The three-time chief minister filed her nomination from New Delhi constituency for the Dec 4 assembly election. According to the affidavit, the value of her moveable and immovable assets increased from Rs. 13 million in 2008 to Rs. 18.3...