The country's main planning body will overhaul of the system of village panchayat in the next Five-Year Plan period to improve its functioning and check siphoning of funds meant for social sector programmes.  Over 250,000 panchayats or village councils in the country collectively handle about Rs 90,000 crore in social sector funds every year, but embezzlement by village representatives often prevents the benefits of welfare schemes from reaching the needy.  To remedy...

This is a saga of how the Hindu outfit saw the promise in Anna and pursued him for its gains. How often do we meet strangers on a flight and realise that it could possibly be the beginning of a lasting friendship? This is how yoga teacher Ramdev and super cop Kiran Bedi met in mid 2010 when both of them were on the same flight and Ramdev spotted her. Although fate...

-The Indian Express   The Cabinet today approved the Companies Bill 2011 which, once approved by Parliament, will replace half-a-century-old Act. "The Cabinet has cleared Companies Bill, 2011. It is likely to be tabled (for consideration and passage) in the ongoing Winter Session," a Corporate Affairs Ministry official said after the Cabinet meeting. The Bill, which has already been vetted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Finance and also by different ministries, seeks to...

The Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry has moved the Cabinet note on the revised Sports Development Bill for inter-ministerial consultations. The Bill seeks to bring about accountability and transparency in the administering of sports. Dissent note The Bill, which has drawn support from various quarters including eminent sportspersons and members of the civil society, is aimed at bringing about efficiency and transparency in the working of the national sports federations and seeks...

-The Telegraph   The 2G trial will be held within Tihar jail from Thursday with Delhi High Court ordering the shift of the special court from its existing location in the heart of the capital. The relocation stunned most of the accused, including former telecom minister A. Raja as well as his DMK colleague and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi. Other accused joined the duo in protesting the move. Special judge .P. Saini announced the...