-The Hindu For much of India, toilets are all about an issue of sanitation, health, privacy and dignity, and gender rights Let’s forget about what Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh said and focus on what he is trying to do. It is not an easy campaign to launch and run. Imagine someone asking what do you do? And having to answer, I promote toilets — toilet construction and toilet use....

-The Telegraph The Right to Education Act, which makes education a fundamental right of every child, is likely to miss the March 2013 deadline for its implementation and the government is planning to amend the law to get an extension of two years. “The amendment is being planned since the compliance to RTE norms may not be possible by the 2013 deadline,” an HRD ministry official said. However, going by the present backlog,...

-PTI A prominent NGO involved in promoting sanitation in the country today strongly defended Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh who created a controversy by saying there were more temples in the country than toilets. Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak came in Ramesh’s defence after BJP attacked the minister and Congress distanced itself from his controversial remark. Hailing Ramesh for pushing the agenda of sanitation in the country, Pathak said what Ramesh has stated...

-The Indian Express Patna: When they are in uniform and on duty, they are constables of Bihar Police, responsible for protecting the life and liberty of people across caste and community divides in a state that had gained notoriety for its lawlessness. But when they return to their barracks, they are Yadavs, Bhumihars, Brahmins, Paswans, Rajputs, Muslims, SCs and STs. They live and sleep in areas segregated on the basis of...

-PTI The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used as cooking gas has been increased by Rs 11.42 per cylinder after the government decided to raise the commission paid to dealers. Petrol and diesel prices may also go up marginally as the oil ministry is thinking of raising the dealers’ commission by at least 23 paisa and 10 paisa a litre respectively. On Friday, the ministry issued orders raising the commission paid to...